touchy throttle 3.0td

Didnt work with mine.

That's another advantage of having an auto! :-P

thanks for your replys. new to this site . good forum with great feedback.
have had this patrol since the start of this year.had 28k when purchased now has 40k.dont even have to be off road to notice it.sometimes shopping center speed bumps,corrogatins and pot holed roads samething.could you fill me in on dtronic ,
eg what is it how much and who fits it .im in perth .
cheers sub

The DTronic is an add-on computer that piggy backs on to the ECU. It's made by Safari in Melbourne and sold through ARB outlets at around $1500. It's a lot to pay for such a thing, but the performance improvement is astounding. Though if you have a look at any aftermarket computers/ECUs, the price is about the same.

It takes about 3 min to put in or take out, so if taking the Patrol for servicing by Nissan, it simply never existed. Safari claim that even if a diagnostic computer were attached to the ECU, it would not detect the DTronic, because of the way it works.

It has pretty much no effect on fuel economy, as I've compared mileage with standard 3.0lts on trips and we get much the the same - close enough that it makes no real difference. I average 11.8lt/100 km with mine, which includes regular city driving, lots of off-road and towing a 1000kg van. I've been recording my fuel usage since new and that's a consistent average over the last 76,000 km.

Here's a link to ther site:

http://www.safari4x4.com.au/dtronic/dtronic.htm

I'm surprised you haven't heard of the Dtronic yet.

Captain ensures everyone knows he has one in his Patrol with every reply. I also have one but don't like to brag.

Mate has a Patrol 3.0 TD and has the same problem.

I don't necessaily agree with the fuel savings observation of the Dtronic. My Prado (5 spd manual) gets 10 - 11L/100k around town, down from 12-13L/100k. That's with a roof rack and extra weight of drawers, Tirfor, winch ropes, chains etc. Perhaps the savings are as a result of my changing the way I drive (gear selection, acceleration, etc) due to the additonal torque and power.

When you accelerate past a road train up a hill from 90 - 120 in 5th whilst loaded with camping gear, water and towing a 900 kg boat and trailer, it was worth the money. Oh yeh! Shame my mate in his Patrol 3.0 TD had to wait until an overtaking lane came up; he didn't have a boat either.

It is reassuring to know you don't have to crawl along when you tow or are loaded.

I'm taking the van (1400 kg) to Adelaide next week so I'll see if I get savings there as well. I was getting 13 - 18 L/100k before. I'm more interested in the torque and power improvements. Fuel savings are a bonus.

Wizard
Darwin NT
Prado TD
Jayco Freedom 16ft

I guess the fuel economy for mine is like it is, because I generally drive mine like it was stolen. I've noticed many diesel 4WD owners (not just those with Patrols) seem to fear putting the boot in and/or using the gears and revving out the engine. Sounds like your mate might be one of the cautious types; even in Melbourne, some drivers seem to have an deathly fear of passing trucks, even on multi-lane freeways.

Hi Wizard1

Glad to hear you enjoy your Prado, just like I do my Patrol. However, I try to refrain from putting down another brand to try and make mine seem better, I'm just happy with it the way it is, warts and all.

Also, about my "bragging" of a Dtronic every post, in my last 40 posts its only mentioned 3 times and in context I believe (I did a quick check just to be sure!). Maybe you only read those 3 posts and missed the 37 others, just giving you the benefit of doubt here. Or perhaps you mean because its listed in my rig details?

But I don't think a Dtronic is something that one "brags" about, its just a simple box of electronics that one is hiway robbed when purchasing to improve upon the standard performance. Would be less than a $100 woth of parts in it, but I guess you are really paying for the R&D and advertising.

How do you find the Jayco Fredom? It was one of the vans I looked at, but with two young kids it didn't suit our needs. But it looked to be a good van none the less.

Cheers

Captain

Glad to see there are still a few of us around with thick skin.........

Regards the Freedom, and heaven forbid if the Jayco fun police don't clap me in irons, is ok....It is priced and consequently build quality meets the market it targets..satifactory at best.

It was our first van. Since buying a 4WD Td to tow better and we then started venturing off road to free camp more often nad find some shortfalls. But then again it is a road van.

We've had the height raised, shocks fitted as well as extra storage, 12v water pumps and some minor cabinetry work.

Looked at fitting 15x7 LC wheels but the wheel arches are too narrow.

Once we have some yard apes we'll have to get a bigger van which will not be a Jayco.. We will go for a custom built off roader, perhaps Kedron or Bushtrakker. Hope win Lotto soon

Despite all that we still think it is quite comfortable and meets our curret needs, just....As there are just the two of us and the dogs it will do for a while.

Wizard

thanks Bill
was just hoping after spending over 40k wouldnt have to be putting the dish sponge under the pedal. mind you the missus cuold allways wash the car every time she needed it .size 13 boot might be too heavy.

The issue some dealers have "resolved" apparently I remember chat on the patrol list about it, its to do with the drive by wire or what ever thebleepty technology that stinks is called.

MTWF

Apparently the Landrovers have a similar fly by wire setup but isn't as sensitive hence you don't get the surging. Blundstone method works for me.

Leroy