DIEESEL Vs PETEROL IN A 2000 PATROL ?

Diesel, but the 4.2TD, not the 3.0L. Why, because the 3.0L in that year are time-bombs (and I should know!!! Mine lasted 116,000!).

I have no experience with the petrol in that model but from all reports on here I would keep away from the 3lt of that year.

I have a 4.2T of that year and am aware that at this time, there was a batch that come out with shorter splines in the gearbox, which tends to strip if 5th gear is loaded up. Overheating issues with the 4.2T that are worked hard is about the only other issues surrounding the 4.2 T of that year....to my knowledge. These motors respond well to performance enhancements in my opinion, which if done right will give you a very reliable truck with power to boot.
270K on mine now and still on original clutch and rear brakes amazingly. I am content with mine now I have learned to live with the overheating.

Regards, Trevor.

If he is really a mate, talking him into buying a Toyota!!!!

Hi Jack, (Geez,try saying that out loud at an airport)

The difference that counts in these days of high fuel prices is probably 20L/100km for the Petrol or 12L/100km for the Diesel......

My non-turbo 4.2 diesel is a slug but I can live with that for now.....it gets me where i want to go and when touring outback i can be doing 120 km/h along flat highways before i realise it and have to back off.....it has 196,000 k's on it and hasn't caused me too much problem apart from sometimes overheating under extreme loads in warm weather.....and yes sometimes the fact it is a slug can be frustrating when the landscape is less than flat....

It boils down what your mate wants to do with it. does he want to drag wrx's off at the lights or is he a tourer/tow-er or a 4wder/rock-hopper......

My simplistic view is
diesel = torque
petrol = speed

I wouldn't go near a 3.0l TD Patrol of that age . . . . ever.

Depending on what your mate is planning to do . . . A 4.5 Petrol patrol on gas may be worth considering.

Plenty of power , cheap enough to buy (could probably get into a really nice Ti for less then diesel $$$).

Costs me approx $55 to fill up with gas with about a 350-400k range on gas (plus petrol).

If outright Range is not a high priority , then gas may be well worth considering.

Acceleration is not what most diesels are about.In fact I would hazard a guess and say in general most diesel owners prefer the power delivery over a petrol in a 4x4.And off the blacktop its a no brainer in favour of diesel.

Thats a difficult Choice

1st I concur on ruling out the 3lt, and assume you are reffering
to 4.2TD pre-intercooler (2003 I think).

There are significant differences in the 4.2TD and 4500 and
its good to understand them to make an informed choice.

Power and general user friendliness - Petrol with 145kw against 114
wins easily and can get to 100kmh in around 13 secs compared to >18.
18 secs is to slow for safe motoring for me.
However even the 4500 is still a little short on power for some
heavy track work unless in the auto version. Responds well to Uni-Chipping.

Cost of running - not significantly different, diesel ahead if do
you own servicing.

Economy - 4.2TD around 12lt/100km compared to 17 - diesel easily wins.
This difference dropped to around 27% , as measured by myself driving
several patrols in 2002 on 1500km touring trip which included Vic border track.
Petrol wins by same margin if using gas.

Ability to drive tracks - little contentious of course, but we found that 4.2
simply didn't have enough go and would often just die in heavy sand.
Friends who have them have mostly had them re-tuned with 2.5-3.0 exhausts
and they respond well but with increased noise.
The 4500 is just adequate.

Range - A bit light on for outback touring with the petrol (650-700km) and worse with gas
, no issue with diesel (>1000km)

NVH - If you consider the diesel please drive it a 100kmh before purchase
as was measured at around 8 times the internal noise level. It droned so much that
we considered it not suitable for long trips on long term hearing health,
but many others find them accepable so your friend may.
When we go exploring (we have petrol patrol), we often leave the windows
down and listen to the birds, at least until our mates diesel gets within
50m.

Conclusion
Personnaly I'd not go with either because the 4800 that followed soon after
(end 2001) is a bargain with current fuel scare and not much different in price.

It offers a massive performance boost at no more fuel use and hence creates
a stark choice between fuel economy on one hand, with power torque and user
comfort on the other.

Robin Miller

I would perhaps broarden the horizon here and throw in a Patrol Petrol already converted to gas. The economy on gas for the obvious reasons however if he needed longer range between refueling the Diesel model is the pick. I have a friend with a Patrol on Gas and it seems to be an economical vehicle, he tows a boat and on the bigger hills switches over to Petrol for the power. All in all he is happy with the vehicle running on gas.

The GU 4.5 (TB45E) is one of the most bullet proof and reliable 4x4's available. The petrol motor has no known major faults accroding to everyone I ever spoke to. I had one for ages, went everywhere in it and it never let me down.

They use about 19/100km's but are cheap to buy, super reliable and go quite well. The 4.8's go like stink.

Diesel's are great, but performance is generally woeful without spending $$$'s. Some people don't care, some have more patience than others and some thing that's what a 4x4 should do. Each to his own.

the 4.8s & 4.2s have come down a lot lately thankx to the oil prices which have scared people off.

the 4.5 is the same basic engine as the 4.2 petrol which was used in the gq's, so it will have lots of reliablty with it, but is down a bit on power when comparing it with the TOYota land cruisers 4.5
the 4.8 seem to be from all reports is a terrific engine with way more power than the 4.5 & the newer land cruiser 4.7 V8. & they come with a 5 speed auto box as well

but both of the engines can be easily tuned to gas easily but as what was said if range isn't ur concern.

the diesels are a bit down power but are the last of the machanical diesel engines no electricals :) & will go for ever

I have a petrol4500, since new in June 1998. As the vehicle is only used for touring/trips and not a commuter, it has done only 116,000km. All is sound. Brake master cylinder was recon'd at about 80,000km. Hadthe traditional pull to left steering issues taht Nissan refuses to recognise, but got taht sorted at 10,000km.
It is in for a big Service - 40,000 km - currently, and I find taht the cabin heater is RS. That is one days work to remove, repair & replace, so that is the second fault in 8 years.

As Robin says (above), fuel consumption is 17 L / 100 Km. I drive at 100kph when touring as the consumption increases to an uncomfortable level much above that.

Worst consumption was at 3.5 t weight, slow speeds of 0 to 15 kph in steep rocky conditions, 2nd Low 4WD, roof rack loaded, 2 occupants.

I find performance acceptable, certainly not a rocket; but I'm not looking for a rocket. I am still able to find the right cog for any given situation - I drive to the vehicle & terrain limitations without busting anything.

Best mods are the 2 " lift & HD springs and the camber correction mentioned previously.

Cheers