GU Patrol performance
Submitted: Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 08:58
ThreadID:
29647
Views:
4151
Replies:
6
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
aalrobby
I have owned a GU patrol, duel fuel ,4.5 ltr, Auto, for the past 6 years. Since day one I have been disappointed with its performance. While its nice to drive around town and used as a family car, but when put under load (towing our boat or loaded for camping), it has no acceleration to overtake and generally performes poorly.
This problem really becomes an issue when in soft sand . I know this is hard on any vehicle . On our last trip to Fraser Island , I couldn't even snatch stap a bogged car, just didn't have the acceleration needed to do that.
I have decided its time to change to a GU Patrol 4.2 Ltr Diesel.
I would like some
feedback regarding the performance of the diesel compared to petrol/gas. (never had a diesel before).
We are planning a
Simpson Desert crossing in June, and wish to have changed cars by this time, I hope I won't be disappointed with the change to diesel.
Reply By: flappa - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 09:17
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 09:17
Your's must be one of a kind.
My 4.5 GU , has no problems accelerating and towing , and can tow my CT at the posted speed limit with plenty of room for overtaking.
The 4.2 TD will EASILY tow anything you like , and with the idea of crossing the Simpson will give you plenty of range.
Outright performance though you may find disappointing , however , given that your 4.5 seems to struggle , maybe you wont.
Get one and
test it
AnswerID:
148243
Follow Up By: Zapper - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 15:27
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 15:27
Hey Flappa
How does the 4.5 go towing? We were looking at one for towing a horse float, it was duel fuel, do you have yours on gas? Just wondering if there is any issues with them on gas, would like a 4.8 but a lot more to buy
FollowupID:
401575
Follow Up By: flappa - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 15:35
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 15:35
I made the mistake of NOT getting gas.
They tow easily , but , are quite thirsty. Gas does help a lot with that.
I have a few mates running gas on their GU's and all report excellent results and highly recommended.
I did a fair amount of homework before buying
mine and the GU is almost made for a gas conversion.
I would buy one on gas.
FollowupID:
401578
Reply By: Member - Coyote (SA) - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 10:51
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 10:51
Having never owned a petrol 4WD, I can't really offer a comparioson, but I have just bought an 05 GU 4.2 and offer the following comments: Be warned that you are going from a car that is nice around town to one that is not. the 4.2 GU is slugish around town and as they don;t make em in auto.. it is going to be a little more difficult (albeit still very comfortable, just slow from the lights etc) However, this is outweighed by it's performance off road. The 4.2 is great in sand etc. However I am still goiong to get it 'tuned' and 3" exhaust to try and help with a bit of 'town' manouvereability. be warned too that people talk about Range.. Over the Christmas break I made a spur of the moment decision to drive to
Sydney from ADL and needed to do it quickly.. so I say on 115k's and hr alongthe realtively fat rd to
SYdney ( via
hay plains) this was done in 40+ degrees and the Range out of the toal fual on board (133L) was 600k's To sit on 100k's an hour will give you 700k's so she is still pretty thirsty...
Good Luck
AnswerID:
148261
Follow Up By: flappa - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 10:54
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 10:54
Mate , I hate to tell you this but , I recently got 700k's out of a tank in my 4.5 Patrol (thats about 15/100 I believe).
FollowupID:
401505
Follow Up By: Member - Tony G (ACT) - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 11:07
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 11:07
The last time I went across the
Hay plains in a 4.2 TD patrol I got 15.3 and that was towing a camper. Over Xmas down to Victoria towing it returned 14.3.
FollowupID:
401509
Follow Up By: Uppy - Member - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 11:24
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 11:24
thats interesting,I get about 650 ks from my tank.its a 95 lts tank in a gq 4.2 efi
regards uppy
FollowupID:
401514
Reply By: Kenell - Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 18:42
Friday, Jan 13, 2006 at 18:42
aalrobby,
I had a petrol/gas GQ and had same issue. Happy enough when not towing but wouldn't pull out of sight on a dark night with even an empty 6x4 garden trailer. Everyone from 4x4 specialists to auto engineers checked it without any improvement. I sold it. Now have 3l turbo and love it. Late 2002 build, regularly returns 11 l to 100k.
Mine is manual but I believe autos have better economy. Did the big lap last year with 1.3t camper and averaged 14 l per 100k. Happily overtakes on hills but sluggish away from lights - I live with that. Apart from the power issue I found the range and availability of LPG a real pita. This convinced me to go diesel. Get it anywhere and now have a range of 900ks with comfort. Up to a 1000ks if I am brave !!! Each 40000ks the Nissan
services sting (around $800) but otherwise love it. I have also done lots of
hill work around Wonongatta and Vic high plains.
Good luck with your decision
Kenell
AnswerID:
148374