Nissan Patrol

Black F6 · 15-02-2011, 04:25 PM

Looking at buying one of these for my wife to pull her horse float.

its a 98, 4.5l 6, 220xxxk, do any of you own one, or things i should know about them.

Cheers

ZA-289 · 15-02-2011, 04:47 PM

I've had that excat model. Mine was auto on LPG. While they are big and heavy enough to pull horse float safely. They do lack power + chew juice like you wouldn't believe.

TD42T is the best option but much dearer.

Black F6 · 15-02-2011, 04:51 PM

Ill check it out, thanks

Paxton · 15-02-2011, 05:05 PM

Great cars. I had an ST 2.8 Diesel, which never let me down. Great Aircon, Towed my boat with ease, and at the time had a great dealer network backing it up.

Is it an ST or a TI? The Petrol STs got Leather Tillers, ABS and Cruise Standard. The Diesel ones missed out.

In Hindsight, I probably should have kept this car...

Edit: The Petrol engine was pretty durable, but have the fuel economy of a small city. I'd just make sure that it is serviced, both the diffs are quiet, the Auto hubs work, and that it shifts gears easily. Manual box is pretty forgiving - they even had a Hydraulic Clutch, but I know little of the Auto Box. These things are known to go for years.

Barnaby · 15-02-2011, 05:07 PM

Petrol thirsty, 3l Diesel is a time bomb, 4.2TD is really the only option here I think.

Paxton · 15-02-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnaby

Petrol thirsty, 3l Diesel is a time bomb, 4.2TD is really the only option here I think.

Yeah, they stuffed up pretty badly with the 3.0. A mate of mine has ~500,000Kms on his 2.8. I have no doubts that mine would have done the same sort of mileage.

fairBA · 15-02-2011, 05:17 PM

This is the post where someone suggests a 105 Cruiser......

Barnaby · 15-02-2011, 05:21 PM

They say they got the 3L TD right buy '04, but I have friends & acquaintances with cracked heads on these later models by 130000km.

If I was this way inclined I would buy one cheap with a popped engine and then visit these guys -

http://www.brunswickdiesels.com.au

Only problem here is the 3L had a weaker gearbox than the 4.2 so you would probably have to source a decent box as well.

Kryton · 15-02-2011, 05:35 PM

4.2 also has a weak 5th gear as well.
If that hasnt been looked at, its something you will need to do.

**TUF_302** · 15-02-2011, 05:43 PM

I have a 99 2.8ltr, its a great vehicle, I plan on touring the country in it one day, and I have the confidence in the RD28 motor to do it, for towing though I suggest looking for the TB42T, more down low grunt for pulling

xw383 · 15-02-2011, 05:57 PM

I bought a 98 non turbo diesel and put an aftermarket turbo on. Tows my Falcon to the drags, go camping and a bit of bush bashing. Only thing is change the standard rear lower control arms cause they are VERY thinwall and when they break they do ALOT of damage, trust me. Cheers xw383.

Iggypoppin' · 15-02-2011, 05:58 PM

4.2 turbo diesel is the only way to go! As said watch 5th gear, they are weak and when they let go, it's dollars galore to fix. A workmate had his detonate right before Christmas last year and it cost over $1300 to fix. Not a happy Christmas!

mik · 15-02-2011, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

4.2 turbo diesel is the only way to go! As said watch 5th gear, they are weak and when they let go, it's dollars galore to fix. A workmate had his detonate right before Christmas last year and it cost over $1300 to fix. Not a happy Christmas!

does your mate tow in overdrive?? i`d put money on it somewhere in the owners manual it says don`t tow in over drive.

au adam · 15-02-2011, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

does your mate tow in overdrive?? i`d put money on it somewhere in the owners manual it says don`t tow in over drive.

Yeah best to keep em i 4th if towing.My GQ almost never goes into 5th,bigger tyres didnt help either.
GU 3.0,also known as the grenade from memory.

jlef5 · 15-02-2011, 09:43 PM

I would stay away from the petrol as it's going to drink like a fish. I have a 4.2 turbo ute and it has heaps of power. I have a slide on camper and good siZe boat and pulls with both of them on no worries at all. I drive in 5th on flats just first sign of a hill straight into 4th. My ute was actually used by previous owner to tow a horse float and have the camper on for enduro events.

Iggypoppin' · 15-02-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mik

does your mate tow in overdrive?? i`d put money on it somewhere in the owners manual it says don`t tow in over drive.

I asked him at the time what he was doing/driving style. He told me he tried to overtake a truck at 100klm in 5th and he'd been driving at 100 in 5th for around 30 mins. Car had 195,000klm on it.

Maggot · 16-02-2011, 02:38 AM

We have had a few patrol 3Ls and between 04 an 07 they are pretty good.. our latest common rail model is a joke however, no power and overheats on revs (is a manual).. so bad in fact that the new model next/late this year is going to have a renault v6 motor in it FWIR.

The petrol 4.5L is going to use about 150 dollars of petrol for your 400 km .. so be wary of that.

The 3L will get 700-750 km for the same amout of fuel.

Black F6 · 16-02-2011, 06:53 AM

yeah had a look at it last night, was no good, going to spend a bit more and get a prado.

Matty4 · 16-02-2011, 07:19 AM

Last year I travelled around Oz towing a van with my Paj and we were travelling with a mate towing a similar van with an 02 4.2TD manual Patrol ST-L. He always towed in 5th as soon as he could get into it and never showed any signs of drama. His Patrol has 170K on it. It also had about 300kg on the roof, including a tinnie

302 XC · 16-02-2011, 09:31 AM

Not sure how a prado would go stacked against a 4.5L patrol
The petrol patrols are not known for there economy,but we are talkin a 3 tonne 4x4 here,so economy isnt an issue
Itll never ever be as cheap to run as a commondore or falcon
I have a TB42 GQ (4.2 petrol auto)
It standard has all the power i need , pulls 2.5t frequently
But economy around the 20-25L per 100Ks is about the norm

2.8 are tickin time bombs, have major head gasket/head crackin issues
Resulting in repairs of a few K and beyond
3.0L patrols are called "grenades"

GT 160 · 16-02-2011, 11:42 AM

My last car was 98 GU 4.5 trol, 4inch lift & drop arms, 35's MTZ's, twin lockers etc and they are a brilliant truck will go anywhere and you can't kill them with an axe.

But, put it on gas or prepared to tow a fuel tanker aswell.

Whatever you do stay away from the 3.0 diesel "Hand Grenade" avoid it like its the plague.

**janddbone** · 16-02-2011, 05:28 PM

Just but a Falcon ute/wagon and beef up the rear springs... Will have no worries...

Paxton · 16-02-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_br_johnstone

Just but a Falcon ute/wagon and beef up the rear springs... Will have no worries...

An RTV on LPG might do the same job.

Power and economy.

388cube_edxr8 · 19-02-2011, 11:47 AM

Buy the cheapest version of whatever model you want, there are places that will fit and engineer LS1's into them for you.

wesomc · 19-02-2011, 02:14 PM

As a ford/mitsubishi mechanic in the same position I got my other half into an NP Pajero 3.2 T/d, gets unbelievable fuel economy for something of it's size (better than the newer Pajero's) and has been very reliable (only repair has been clutch and flywheel but it's done alot of kms now). Handles well on the road, tows a loaded horse float like it's not even there (old Taylors wooden float too). I don't let her tow in overdrive but this is a pretty standard rule with most vehicles of this type (she tows at around 95km/h in 4th). Hope this helps

Wes

302 XC · 20-02-2011, 02:16 PM

Getting an LS1/5.0L V8 or V8 diesel fitted in a fourby can result in massive costs
IF you dont know what your doin
The diesel V8 conversion are 20K and beyond,drive in drive out in a cruiser or patrol
Many are on the understanding that a conversion is as simple as a V8 and a conversion kit
This unfortunately isnt the case for all
Got engineer certs and aproovals,exhaust mods ect
Wiring,pumps,tanks ect

Best bet is getting the biggest factory optioned motor avaliable in any model/make you choose

My32Doors · 20-02-2011, 03:07 PM

After reading this thread it seems that there are 2 options. Landcruiser or F series.

Deaks · 20-02-2011, 03:41 PM

My 2000 GU 4.5ltr auto on gas is great, its no powerhouse, but it doesnt go any slower with a tandem/car on the back. And being on gas, its cheap to run.

It wont win any drag races, but its big, comfy and cheap to run.

The conversion to V8 is more than you will pay for a decent GU.

Tough Ford · 20-02-2011, 04:47 PM

Check out Carpoint 1998 GU 4.5L 298K, yes high but has Leather 7seats,full pwr options, Sunroof, tow bar, A/C and a manual too, 17 inch rims, 6 months rego, roof racks, nudge bar and only $10,000. Seems resonable to me. Another GU 2.8L 216K also 10g's and finally one with a rebuilt motor for 14,000.

Brazen · 20-02-2011, 06:35 PM

Is a Patrol really neccessary? I never have had a 4wd to tow my horse floats and most 4wds are pretty compromised and expensive to run and maintain. My AUII was an excellent tow vehicle as well as being grunty and comfortable.

A Falcon is a great tow car, also horse people rave about the Territory as well, I know one bloke who has had a string of Landcruisers and he reckons the Territory is a far better tow car. Ive also heard that the AU to BF V8 Fairlanes are fantastic and a lot better to tow with than most 4wds.