Old Scalyback & denny replied:

goodday snobunny
we personally own and tow with a 2003 4.2 tdi and have never had a problem towing and overheating our van goes about 2.5 t
i think it is mainly rumours started by toyota drivers as there is only 1 patrol owner i know that has overheating problems and thats only all his toys slowing him down (sorry roachie)

steve

Member - Duncs replied:

Snowbunny,

You can see my rig in the rig pic.

It is a 2001 4.2TD the camper fully loaded weighs in at about the ton.

We have had problems with the temp rising while towing, but not major.

The first time I noticed it was running up the New England Highway in January a couple of years ago. I was climbing some pretty big hills and going pretty hard. To tell you the truth I was a bit concerned as I didn't believe I was pushing it that hard. When we stopped and made camp the temp on the thermometer at the caravan park office was reading high 30's and that was at 7pm.

Since then I have noticed the temp rise on a few occasions but it has always been manageable. Just back off a little, use a lower gear and a lighter throttle and all is well.

In January this day we drove from Broken Hill to Ballina in the day. 5 on board trailer out the back and loaded to the brim. Once again it was a verry hot day 42 in Coonabarrabran at 10 in the morning. We crossed through the mountains north east of Narrabri and stopped at Bingarra for lunch about 1pm. The car did get warm climbing up the mountain but once we reached the top we had no further problems.

That day we travelled 1545km in 16 hours and 10 min. Now that is not a bad days drive by any standards.

Most normal days, ambient temps under about 35, the temp on the Patrol is not an issue. It has never stopped us going anywhere or made us late.

Duncs

hopscotch replied:

Hi,
I would not believe that either the Patrol or a LC 4.2 would overheat towing 1200kg CT I have been with operators of both when they were towing much heavier loads and in the middle of summer in the Nth Terr. Certainly the gauge will rise particularly when there is a strong head wind but with or without turbo the 4.2 in either brand will be running at normal with 1200kg and you can run the Air Con.
I towed 1600kg across the entire Savannah in summer and the last thing I had to worry about was engine temp. Now the fridge temp was a concern because you have no idea how bad a warm beer tastes after a day in the dust.
Don't get into the Patrol vs Cruiser thingee. Its a load of 'campfire crap'. They are different but the same. Now ducking for cover.
Kevin J

Keith_A (Qld) replied:

Hi Snow - we have a 1999 4.2 TD Patrol and tow a 1.4 ton Coromal Campervan.
Never had a problem. The needle gets above half when towing up Toowoomba range, but that's a steep chunk of mountain. As above, just back off the throttle (bit hard expecting the engine to pull 100k/hr up the range with a camper).

We get out camping regularly, Mountain, beach and desert and have never had a problem with the patrol overheating. Spent a week around Charleville last November. Air temp was getting warm that time of year - not a problem with the truck (with air on). Spent 3 weeks dragging the camper around Strezlecki deserts (Innamincka etc) last month - never a problem (but then it was winter).

Perhaps owners are so used to the low down torque, they just expect the truck to climb tall hills, without changing gear. (actually they can, but when you add the trailer you need to change down a cog).
(You are probably aware - whatever you buy - never tow in 5th gear.)

regards.......................Keith

Trevor R (QLD) replied:

Snow,

I have replied to plenty of questions on this subject and am not biased in any way haveing owned both a 100series N/A and my current GU 4.2Turbo.

They are most certainly different vehicles and have strengths and weaknesses in different areas.
My Patrol was 2 weeks old the first time it overheated (just 2000km on the clock) and has done so ever since, whenever the conditions are against me. I am not afraid to say I work it pretty hard with some pretty big loads but in my opinion it shouldn't be as bad as it is. Haveing said that it still gets the job done if you back off a little and with 267000km now on the dial it has completed many a task I throw at it. To me it is a very predictable car and reliable as the sun setting in the west. If you are prepared to live with a non-turbo variant, I would suggest to get the turbo model and if things get real hot outside and your pulling up a long range, pretend you are in a non-turbo model and pull up a little slower than the vehicle is capable of and you would still be in front of the non-turbo capabilities. A few of us Nissan owners have put plenty of dollars towards solving the problem but as yet with only limited success. The upside to my problem solving efforts is a nice truck with plenty of go but still runs warm when worked.
Nissan back up service is not worth the paper it is written on in my opinion.

The cruiser was more comfortable for me but it had a crap drivetrain that meant three gearboxes in 18mths for my workloads. Done the job nicely, but ultimately just not on the road enough for my workloads.
Toyotas back up service was top notch to me.

I think for a 1200kg load it wouldn't matter that much as either vehicle should serve you well. If you want a new vehicle with good warranty then it's got to be Toyota but if you want a second hand one and are unsure of the history of the truck then I would go for the Nissan as they seem to be stronger and more forgiving on drivers who mistreat them, giving you are more predictable car for longer.

Also a search on overheating Patrol will bring up a months reading to go through.

Best of luck in your decision.
Trevor.

cokeaddict replied:

Speaking from expierence mate, and as much as I love my nissan, I suggest you dont even think about a non turbo 4.2 for towing. Great reliable car yes....but take one for a drive towing up a hill and see what i mean.

As for the "over warming" problem, well put simply....the rule of thumb is this, as long as they temp gauge does not touch the red line, its ok to drive. Some before me replied with facts from owning and expierencing the warming problem, they all suggested backing off a tad, it works fine.
I owned a non turbo GQ 4.2 for years, it was fantastic until i hit the hills, absolute slug ! Frustration too. Picture urself being over taken by a "B Double" tanker heading up towards Katoomba, believe me they will pass you. Head down the M4 in 5th gear, all is well..110 kms and then the hill starts. from 5th to 4th to 3rd to 2nd gear at crawling pace.
So glad i got a turbo now, friggen thing is a rocket.

Ange

Snowbunny replied:

Many thanks for the replies so far guys, we actually like both vehicles as a 4wd , cruisers and patrol's. I guess it will just come down to whats on the market when we are ready to buy, the feedback is much appreciated. Also was wanting to know how they perform towing in low range up steep hills? Not much drama? Thanks SB

Motherhen replied:

Just goes to show! We tow what must be in excess of 3 tonne with our 3 ltr td with no problems, including across the mountains in Tassie. No Patrol or Cruiser should overheat towing only 1.2 t unless something has gone wrong.

Member - BBB replied:

We have a 2000 GU Patrol that was non turbo my advice is buy an turbo if you are going to tow.

It now 147000 kms on the clock for the first couple of years we towed a camper trailer wieghing about 1.2 tonne fully loaded with water food, boat and essentials for two weeks on Moreton Island about 6 times it towed the camper without any problems at all.

We have since bought a 20 ft caravan that with two motorbikes fully loaded weighs 2750 kgs we have had a dynamic turbo fitted in 2003 the difference is unbelievable it tows the van effortsly and can easly sit on 110 and still have excelleration.

I have never had a problem with over heating and have towed up Toowoomba,Cunninghams Gap and Jimna ranges fully loaded manly in 3rd and 4th gears without any problems.

In summary as previously been said the Nissan GU is as reliable as the sun going down in the west, but buy a turbo.

Hope this helps

BBB

Gronk replied:

Never tow in 5th gear?? How do you get anywhere?? Think the revs would be a bit high doing 110 k's in 4th? I tow everywhere in 5th. By the way I've got a Terracan crdi,no probs with the manual box. Maybe the Koreans make their stuff tuff?

Member - Vincent A M (NSW) replied:

Have had 2 x nissian 4.2 D patrols

1st) 94 patrol 6 wheeler 4.2ltr non turbo truck weighed in at about 3ton (GMV 4500) then put a slide on camper on it loaded 950kg & then i towed a 7mtr boat 3.5ton total 7400kgs from huskission nsw to townsville/carins qld twice a year as long as i did not go over 100klms it was fine if i went overthe 100klms it would boil the jug on a long slug up a hill it would get warm but not hot. Then i turbo it (so i could get up the hills) it was originaly not intercooled & it got HOT i then intercooled & oil cooled it & had NO problems at all the vechile had over 600,000klms on it when sold & all running gear was original (exept cluch fitted a centre force) it was not like every toyota a had owned & rebuilt the gearbox & transfer case every 140,000klms
2nd) patrol 2004 4.2dt 6wheeler i do the same to it & have no problems we were very loaded when we crossed the simpson last year in heat in the high 40's & early 50' degree heat ran the air con all the time with no problems Have fitted 3" exhust that is the only engine mod
: Note that the NEW 2004 on 4.2ltrs have a larger radiator same as 4.8ltr petrol
my truck works all the time loaded/towing as a work truck & on the weekend/holidays is the family truck & has been to most points of australia (north, south, east,weat,& centre.I even tried a NEW ford F250 ,it did not like the way i played & broke alot