looking at buying a nissan patrol

Are you sure about the Nissan 3.0 not being a common rail?

Hi Lenni,

I have a 2003 GU 3.0TD with a Dtronic and regularly tow my 1.6T van. I have found the 3.0TD to be a great tow vehicle, heaps of grunt (420Nm with Dtronic) and great economy. It has significantly more power/torque than my 80 series 1HZ, hills that were 3rd gear in the 80 are 5th gear in the GU.

As far as reliabilty goes, I have done 45,000kms and haven't had any trouble. The early 3.0TD's were a worry, but since the series 3, Nissan seems to have the motor well sorted. But, like any mechanical device, there is the odd report of the occasional hiccup, but no more than any other modern motor (unlike the early 3.0TD's that still represent a large proportion of complaints).

I haven't driven the new Hilux 3.0TD, but by all reports its a great motor. Its a later design than the Nissan so i would expect it to have better power/torque. As for resale of the 3.0TD, check www.redbook.com.au and you will see it holds its value very well, especially with the price of petrol these days.

Cheers

Captain

My auto 3.0 patrol (no dtronic) eats hills, even with the camper on!!

Just how reliable is the 3 litre nissan patrol motor and how does it tow

if u try hard and search, you may only get 2000 hits to the search

Only problem I have heard about that is pretty common on the 3ltr Nissan is the Air Mass Sensor going which makes them loose all pulling power, not a problem getting it replaced under warranty as long as your dealer will except it is the problem. Have heard of dealers doing stacks work on vehicles before having them dyno tested only to the Air Mass Sensor is the problem. Have a mate with one that had the Sensor replaced then we did 13,000k's through Tanami, GRR and Savanagh Way towing a Camper and boat with an all up weight of over 4 ton, over loaded in my mind, but he had no problems.

To start with I am a die hard Toyota fan. But I found the 3lt Patrol motor fine when towing my boat(1700kg) with 4 guys and gear on long distances. Good economy and reasonable overtaking power. And it hurts to say that the Patrol leaves the new HiLux's for dead in the bush in stock form. The Patrol is now the tougher work horse, and less likely to leave bits of itself behind when the going gets a bit rough.

Hi lenni
OK a Nissan Patrol or a Hilus.
Things to consider when buy/choosing your new truck.
How well does it tow?
How well do it go up hills?
What types of surfaces are going to driven?
How long do you intend to keep it?
The cost of repair parts & labour?
Reliability, strength, fuel economy?
Most important speak to mechanics about what they repair, what they drive & what they recommend.
Resale value?
Do you really need the newest one on market? OK they come with a warranty.
But consider one, say 18 months old, it's still got the remainder of it new car warranty, plus you can get (if you go through the same type vehicle dealer) an extended warranty, a further 2 years on top of your warranty. That's pretty cool.
Plus also if the trucks fitted up with some of the extras you want an added bonus.
If its been used mainly in the country areas good, country miles put less wear & tear on a motor than city miles, start, stop, start, stop, start, stop.
All of this & you can save 15 to 20 thousand dollars. Part of this saving will come from some pretty hard bargaining with the dealer. Just think of what you can do/get with your savings!
So it means you can look comfortable at Patrol ST's.
Buying brand new means that you are prepared to loose $5,000 as soon as you drive out the dealer’s gates with you new vehicle. If you don't believe me try it out.
I sound a bit cynical but I just want you to make the best deal for yourselves that you can.
On the motors though the Patrol 3.0L is cool those who drive series 2, 3, 4 love them, personal I'm a Patrol 4.2L diesel man.

Best of luck with your search, discovery & purchase of your next beast.

madCrow

Hi Lenni,
Although there is a far bit of criticism about the 3.0L Patrol, due to their early problems with reliability, I would have to say the 3.0L Patrol so far is the best vehicle that I have ever towed with.
The 3.0L doesn’t have to work hard to pull well up hills and surprisingly, it doesn’t rev very high when cruising. (See bottom pic) I haven’t yet found a 3’0L Patrol owner that was unhappy with his cars towing ability.
I regularly drive a 100 series (non turbo) and have used many other company cars for towing, but none of them come close. I would imagine only 1 would be better, but it’s around $20k more.
Comparing the Patrol to Hilux is chalk and cheese, easy choice if you want comfort and space.

Chaz

I am on my second 3ltr patrol 05 series iv this one the last one 02 series 3 have had 3 lancruisers before I wouldn't go back to a cruiser. I had the 1hz motor in my last 80 series cruiser turboed by DTS and the patrol is a lot more responsive than the cruiser ever was.

I'd buy the Hilux if you need a ute. Hard to clean the cow manure off the interior when you get a load for the garden lol

Leroy

lenni i have a nissan 6wheeler my 2nd, it is a 2004 4.2 but as a boat builder 2 of my clinets NSW fisheries & nsw maritime both use 3ltrs nissan to tow our crafts Average weight 1800kg & they certainly tow well & tow better than the standard 4.2ltr untill the weight is greater than 2200kg. the early ones had trouble but the last year i have herd of no one have anything but great comments & they give them hell. Lenni remember that when you tow its not only how much power you have. I picked the nissan again becasue every toyota ive had has had gear box & transfer box problems & the nissans have had none the last one did over 600,000klms & i tow a lot, the patrol with up to1500 kgs on its back & up to 4500kgs towing behind (legal 6x4). the kids or workers have leg room try that with a hilux & any one in the back kids or worker get grumpy quickly

I hope it is not to late to ad my bit

Yes i have a 2002 GU 3.0 litre Manual

Well it has been great, we have towed our camper trailer to innaminka and Birdseville via walkers crossing it is a great TRUCK good on fuel comfort is excellant.
we did a couple of mods on it i would not go past putting a good set of springs and shocks we went the 2" lift this is ample for touring the ride is terrific compared to the factory set up we have just clocked up 100000 kms and yes we have just replaced the clutch ouch a bit expansive. Apparently that amount of k's is good out of the clutch. It is a bit clunky driving it around the city and because i use it for work it will be up 4 sale soon because i depreciate it. It has always been well serviced and loved.

Now my next dilema what do i get to replace it, shock horror i have been looking at a TD prado and adding a lift plus more goodies but what i am worried is the insurance i have always watched the value of the GU and what i owe on it because i lease it, it has always been valued more than what i ow which is great incase of an accident but the price of the prado wich would work out more than a new GU surprisingly talking to insurance companies when you querry the value of a 1 year old TD Prado it drops quite a bit more.

Food for thought still not sure which way i will turn did think about a GX tricked up

Dave T

hi lenni
look else where