4.2TDi Patrol or 4.2NA STD L'Cruiser with aftermarket Turbo

tt 12,

They'll both make top tow vehicles, make sure the aftermarket turbo job is a good one, being after market it might have a few more horses than the GU.

Which ever vehicle you like the most will be fine.

I'd pick the GU, but thats just cause I love'em....:-)

Browny

Why on earth would you buy a brand new Cruiser then pay to put an aftermarket turbo on it , and effectively say goodbye to any warranty ???

Hi tigertough12,

I looked at these options when getting my GU in 2003. One thing I couldn't get past was shelling out big dollars for a 4.2na cruiser, then spending more dollars only to then have no warranty on it. The toyota salesman told me if I put a turbo on then no warranty on the drivetrain as well as the engine.

While turboing has been done on the toyota 4.2 before, its not the best candidate for a turbo and there are numerous reports of blown/cracked heads and pre-combustion chambers from over boosting. I looked at turboing my 80 series 1HZJ but decided against it, went the extractors and 2 1/2" exhaust route instead. Reckon i got ~10-15% increase, but nowhere near what a turbo who have done.

I looked at the GU 4.2TD and 3.0TD and for various reasons went the 3.0TD. Its a decsion I have been happy with reckon I made the right choice for me, but there will always be those who prefer the 4.2TD over the 3.0TD. Either way, both are good vehicles.

As for the better tow vehicle, the toyota 4.2na is a snail, my van weighs 1.6T and while my 80 series 1HZJ would happily tow it, never a problem worrying about speeding fines! The 3.0TD tows SO much better than the 4.2na its hard to believe the difference. I reckon the 3.0TD in stock form tows better than the GU 4.2TD, but if you fit a big exhaust and dump pipe then the GU4.2TD would be the pick of the crop.

Cheers

Captain

Go the Nissan.
Ive bin there n done that.
have a 4.2td nissan with the turbo, pump and exhaust done. Result the 3 ltr jobs can out excelerate me but on the long hills the 4.2 can out pull them.
The van below weighs in at 1.8t. It handles it with ease even up and down steep tracks.

Agree with comments above re: Cruiser and aftermarket turbo etc. I have 2004 4.2Tdi Patrol. Was a slug off the line especially in comparison to the 3.0litre but it was fine when it got wound up. Then I put on a 3" exhaust and dump pipe. With that alone and no other work it is a much better performing vehicle without the warranty concerns.

The turbo/fuel pump mods may help further but once again at some risk to the warranty. Admittedly they are not likely to pick up on fuel pump tinkering but the machining out of turbo would get their attention if a rebuild was needed. However, I must was thinking about going down that path until I changed the dump/exhaust ($660 from MTQ).

Cheers
Jamie Mac

Tigertough12,
As an owner of both the vehicles you mentioned I feel the better option is to go with the vehicle you don't have to modify mechanically to get the job done to your satisfaction. The cruiser I owned from 99 - 01 was a sound vehicle allbeit slower than my current 4.2t patrol. the 5th gear has been a problem for towing parties in both vehicles but the patrol also has a habit of running very WARM (even hot) when working hard.
In summary If you can live with a non turbo cruiser power wise I would be more tempted to go Toyota's way because of their better warranty backup (I have had heaps of trouble with Nissan) and less vehicular problems. Not saying you will be trouble free with either, but if you do have trouble Toyota will be more obliging in my experience. Having said that I will not be changing my now sorted and worked 4.2 turbo Patrol. Confused? Me too :-)))
For me I just needed more grunt for towing BIG loads.
Good luck and kind regards
Trevor.

bugger the new vehicle they are a rip off If I was getting new vehicle I would be looking at a 3 year old one (heeeeeeps of them) save a packet and you dont lose your new car warranty when you whack a turbo on it

Went fowles auctions (melbourne) yesterday and there was 9-off 4.2NA STD L'Cruiser (02-03) with 55000-78000km on the clock and all with the following extras:
Bullbar
Winch 12000lbs
Tow Bar
Cargo Barrier
Snorkel

All got sold for between $28000 to $32000

I must say that is awesome value, all you need to do is add a suspension lift, new rims + tyres and a fridge.

Is that great value or can I get better or should I be mindful of getting it from the auctions?

ps. thanks for all your replies

HI ALL , Whats the gaff about warranty if you own a TOYOTA you dont need warranty because nothing goes wrong,nothing has gone wrong with mine in 500,000. No clutch change No injector pump change. After market turbo fitted at 300,000klms but 30% boost only PERFECT==

Hi Tigertough12. Fitted a garret turbo purchased from a local shop fitted myself and changed the muffler and bigger system 2.5" goes great. your welcome

Hi Tigertough 12, man i know what your going through. Just sold my 02 hilux 4by and was tossing up over cruiser or patrol, same scenario std 4.2 cruiser or 4.2 td patrol (new). All the guys on this sight helped me heaps, thanks again guys, I went the GU td 4.2 can't compare std 4.2 96klw/280nm to Patrol 4.2td 116kw/360nm ....Mate I love it...Plus Nissan has the free give aways at the moment. Check out my story more recently heading (4.2 GU IV YEEEEHAAAA) I put it to the test.
9hrs driving from Sydney to Vic some big hills pretty much fith gear the whole way, did not drop under 110klm even on the steepest hills occasionally dropping bak to fourth still maintaining that speed... YEEEEEEHAAAAA!!!!! (was not towing but had vehicle loaded normal camp gear etc.)