I have a 2004 Nissan X-Trail 2.2 TD. It is a great all round car, but I find ground clearance and lack of low range limiting. Although I did a trouble free trip to the Richtersveld recently and went everywhere my buddy's Landy Defender went. Is it worth getting a suspension conversion? I have also thought about a Nissan hardbody DC diesel, my X-Trail gives me good economy - 13 km per litre around town.

The Nssan Hardbody is a good vehicle and very capable. However you would also need to spend some $$$ on this one and live with the dust inside the load bay when traveling dirt roads.

But off-rad will certainly be an improvement.