Patrol Autos - TD & Petrol different

Guess one of the things you're wanting to know is if the auto is any good? I've had the 4.8 auto for the last 2 years - it is my escape machine. The daily commuter is a 5 litre VS commodore and whilst it maybe a bad comparison the Nissan slush box is smooth even under load (tow a trailer and boat) unlike the commodore. It is exceptional in the sand, certainly beats any concerns on manual gear changes by a long shot. Don't notice any appreciable increase in temperature when towing and aircon running on a hot day (unlike the commodore).

Kind regards

since when could you get dtronic for a TD6?

Hi Fusion,
Take a look at the ratio's of both auto boxes and you'll find that the 4 speed's are ideal for the torque and power curves of the 3 litre, where as the 5 speed box isn't. The 5 speed it's just a closer ratio box. I dont think the extra gear is warrented, because the diff ratio's suit the tall overdrive on the 4 speed, and also the convertor flashes to 2000 rpm where the diesel makes it's maximun torque. It would have been nice for Nissan to give the 4 speed a sequential shifter though.
If you do get the diesel auto, consider getting a "shift kit" installed, as it makes a world of difference to the drivability of the auto. Quicker, sharper and more responsive driving and gearchanges, with less momentum loss and a cooler running trans.
Chaz

Hi Aaron,

I've always called them shift kits, but most people refer to them as "Transmission Re-Programming Kits". They are produced by most of the American performance transmission shops such as B&M, Fairbanks and Trans-Go to name a few. Fortunately we Nissan owners can get them for our Jatco RE4R03A transmissions because the V8 Nissan Infinity sold in the USA uses the same gearbox.
What it does is take out the "lag" in the gearshift. It gives you a much quicker gear change that you can feel, rather than the smooth, slow shift that is produced by the factory settings. Transmissions are made to be smooth through the gears, but that generates a lot of heat and wear that eventually kills the gearbox. Fitting a shift kit will allow the gearbox to go straight into the next gear without spending as much time between them, where all the wear and heat occurs.
Most of my vehicles have been auto's and they have all had shift kits in them. I fit them myself, it's easy and in most cases it's just a matter of replacing a few springs in the valve body, and drilling a few holes out.
I think I paid around $130 for my Nissan shift kit which is a Trans-Go unit.

I hope this helps, but check out these links for more info.
http://www.txchange.com/transgo.htm
http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/default.asp
http://www.autotranz.com.au/
http://www.transtarindustries.com/

Chaz
http://members.bettanet.net.au/~conody/index.htm