nissan patrol 4.2 td why no auto

G'day mate....firstly, sorry if I sound pedantic......but I think your current motor is probably a 3.0L (not a 3.2L) and the Toyota motor is a 4.2 TD (not a 4.1)....

Okay, now onto your question. The story as I understand it is that the 4.2TD is considered by Nissan to be their "workhorse" model and isn't considered warranted to install a "lazy-man's slushbox" (there; that should start a few fights and get me a few smartarze remarks back...hahaha). I have read on here that a few blokes would've bought the 4.2 instead of ending up with a 3.0L....but they had to cater to their missus' inability to operate the clutch on a manual vehicle.

I've said it before that whilst I can't envisage ever buying an automatic, I certainly can see that they are superior to a manual box in almost all driving situations. The big exception is their lack of engine braking on steep decents, but if you were really worried about that you could fit a set of "rock-crawler" transfer case gears.

Cheers

Roachie

Hi gregr, Nissan have made it known through some media outlets that the 4.2 TDi is not on the "long term" planning table, 100% because of new emission regulations. I suspect this is why they havn't bothered with an auto.

Pitty really, because I believe it would match up well with the 5 speed auto like the one used in the 4.8 petrol Patrol.

Having said that, the 3.0 TD would be so much better with a 5 speed auto. My 4 speed auto 3.0 Patrol is pretty good, but would be awesome with a 5 speed auto.

Also gregr, don't let all those stories put you off. Only a hand full of landcruisers have fallen appart. Considering how many are out there, I think they still have a bloody good record, and the IFS front end is still reasonably capable, as long as you don't want to go extreme offroading. They are super comfy for cruising and have power to spare.

And as for the 3.0 TDi Patrol. The new ones seem to have most of the bugs sorted out, apart from clutch problems, but your after an auto, so that should be no worries. Take one for a drive, I would be surprised if you didn't like it.

My only concern at the moment is that Nissan seem to wearing thin on the customer relations front.

Cheers,

Muzz

I recently contemplated a new 4.2 DX Patrol. I went to a few Nissan dealers to get prices and all were really negative about the 4.2 litre motor and also the DX model and all strongly recommended me to to go for the 3.0 litre ST as they claimed that the 3.0 litre was better performance than the 4.2 and that the ST was better re-sale. I almost felt like they were pushing this motor at the expense of the others. I thought it a little strange.

Just my 2 bob

Paul

Yes it is puzzling, considering the previous model GQ had 4.2 and auto available right from release day, and apart from the odd lock-up clutch carking now and then, they were a pretty reliable unit. As for the IFS issue, Nissan will sell heaps of Patrols if Toyota persist in this folly of a suspension on a truck. If it was so good, you'd think they'd have slotted it under the 78 series by now eh. I suspect that they secretly believe that it is considered too suburban for a work horse! Besides, the 100 series just does not handle that much better than a live axle Gu anyway, it's splitting hairs.

gregr, My 3.0 Patrol is FEB 2000 build. Stop it, I can hear everyone laughing and saying, oh well, won't be long before she blows !!!!!
It had 64,000 on the clock when I got it and has just clocked 93,000

The only troubles I have had are;

1. dust getting past the air filter and stuffing up the Air Mass Sensor when we went through the Pilbara, Milstream NP etc; I had broken the seal on the intake pipe, just inside the guard when I fitted the dual battery system. I have since had a snorkel fitted, with an inner pre cleaner sock, so no worries now.

2. the semi auto free wheel hubs constantly click when in 4WD, and sometimes they don't disengage when we have "unlocked" the hubs and taken it out of 4WD. My mechanic has had them appart twice now and the next option is to fit new AVM free wheel hubs.

3. I have recently had trouble keeping the front wheels in ballance and I'm hoping it's not the famous Nissan Shakes. My tyres are BF Goodrich TA's, and some say it's the tyres at fault.

We tow a Jayco penguin (not offroad) 780kg tare weight and I guess just over a ton when loaded. The 3.0 TDi with auto box is great with this camper, especially in low range 4WD. I just put it in "D" and let it do it's stuff.

As for other options for you, you could look for a GXL 4.2 diesel cruiser with an auto box (yes you can get them) get the bottom end of the motor done up and whack a turbo on it. That way you get a rigid front end, a good turbo six and a comphy vehicle to boot.