New GUIII Patrol 3.0ST
Submitted: Monday, Nov 08, 2004 at 18:29
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Rokkitt
Just back from the
Limestone coast of South Australia, took our new Patrol - now with over 2000Km's on the clock. Bought the new 3.0ST at the 4WD show after getting a great deal off the salesman there, we only went to buy a fridge too.
I was very impressed with the new wagon - great economy especially compared to my 3.0 V6 Paj, although the Paj was almost legendary it drank to much fuel. We put just over $200:00 in the Nissaan and that included many
miles of sand driving along
the beach. It was far more powerful than the Paj on the highway hills too but the clutch in the new nissan will take some getting used to, very touchy throttle pedal too particularily when offroad.
As you can tell I am totally impressed with the new wagon and reccomend them highly - I should have done this years ago.
Now I am looking for some tips on what needs to be fixed up, already replaced the small screws fixing the mudflaps in place with descent fixers (the kind that open up behind the panel).
Rokkitt
Reply By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Monday, Nov 08, 2004 at 19:01
Monday, Nov 08, 2004 at 19:01
Great that you like the new car Rokkitt - just a word of caution about the screws fixing the mudflaps - be very careful now that you have changed to that type of fixing especially when you are off road - they have a tendency to tear bloody great holes in the metal when you get caught up on rocks, or sticks or badly bogged.
Cheers
Pete
AnswerID:
83535
Reply By: NissanofOld - Monday, Nov 08, 2004 at 19:14
Monday, Nov 08, 2004 at 19:14
Since the mudflaps go into the plastic flares, there are no worries about tearing any metal. There's really nothing that needs to be worked on with the Patrol (the mudflaps were the only annoying thing).
You will get used to the throttle in time; it's just a matter of adjusting to the way it works. I have no problem with
mine and have friends who never complain about this aspect, even in the worst possible off-road conditions.
If you have a spare $1500 lying around, consider getting the DTronic. It will add another layer of enjoyment to your purchase. But if you do consider getting one, make sure you do some tests on the unit first (ARB will allow you to do this). There have been a few units that have not worked as advertised and have made barely any difference.
The test is to drive with no DTronic in third gear and get to as low a speed as you can go before stalling and then tromp the throttle and see how the Patrol accelerates. Then have the DTronic installed and repeat the test. If you have a good unit, you will certainly notice the difference.
Fuel economy will be no different, but you will have immensely greater driving pleasure.
AnswerID:
83538
Follow Up By: Rokkitt - Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 21:47
Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 21:47
Hi,
Thanks for the info, I am getting used to pushing my foot hard against the kick panel to stabilize my foot - maybe there is a better way....
I have read about the Dtronic and it is n my wishlist, unfortunately the only Xtra cash for a while will go into the bar work - it's a start, I'll just have to get the missus working harder!!
Rokkitt
FollowupID:
342925
Reply By: Member - Chris M (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 09, 2004 at 10:07
Tuesday, Nov 09, 2004 at 10:07
Good to hear your happy mate.
So what mods do you want to do? Did you get to do any 4wding apart from sand?
AnswerID:
83638
Follow Up By: Rokkitt - Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 21:42
Thursday, Nov 11, 2004 at 21:42
Hi,
Didn't really get into it heavily - no bar work available yet, it'll take a little time to really get this car in the real 4wd'ing. Hasn't even received its first scrub scratch yet.
We checked out a couple of tracks, some rock - mostly sand. I would say the most challenging stuff was on
the beach she handled the rocks with ease - no rocking, bouncing or any other behaviour we had learnt to live with in our pajero, not taking anything away from the pajero but this nissan took to off road stuff much better.
What mods do I want to do? more like what can I afford? have money aside for bull bar (when available) and brush bars (again when availale) and after buying my last roof console and noting its construction I have plans to build one for this car. I made up a storage system for the paj so I will do that again eventually, other than this I don't have any immediate plans - oh a rear step/protection would be nice and a lift! I am more looking for tips on making this car handle it's duties and still stay in one piece, from patrol owners - those little things that you dont notice until your retracing your steps through a muddy hole looking for a mudflap.
Another thing that is
well advertised is extending the breathers - not as important as I first thought but something to be done.
Rokkitt
FollowupID:
342924
Reply By: NissanofOld - Friday, Nov 12, 2004 at 16:32
Friday, Nov 12, 2004 at 16:32
As a follow-up, if there was one thing I would recommend as a first purchase for the Patrol is a decent
suspension system. The standard is simply not up to snuff so, before putting on any bar work etc, get the
suspension upgraded.
There are a lot around, but I've stuck to ARB (OME
suspension setup), simply because I've hardly ever had a problem and when minor things have cropped up, ARB have never quibbled about fixing things gratis. Plus the
suspension works.
I'd recommend the 50mm lift with the comfort shocks. This gives you a good lift, but also maintains the nice ride feel. The shocks that ARB recommend have a very harsh rebound and when empty, you'll jar your kidneys loose. When loaded, you don't lose much at all.
AnswerID:
84130