Nissan GU 3 LT Production Date.

I had a June 2003 build date and it was the update series III

Mine is a GUIII built in Jan. 4 and also runs absolutely beautifully - done 112.000 km now. My dealer also says that it has the new engine.

Hello GregF
Your Nissan built November 2003 is definitely a Series 111 with the upgraded engine, that is supposedly upgraded from the ones that blow the number 4 piston and the other problems of not enough oil in the sump and the turbo problem. The Series 111 GU came out with the clear lights at the back in 2002 but that does not mean that all the Series 111's had the problem corrected. I was told by Nissan technical people in Melbourne that in mid 2002 (they could not give me the exact date) Nissan started to change engines in the GUs, however, I was informed that these vehicles with these engines were not sold in Australia until late 2002. My vehicle was made 10th month 2002 with the compliance plate 11th month 2002 and I had to supply the VIN number to the customer tech support to establish whether my motor was one of the improved versions, which they tell me it was, however, there is a lot more people out there who have more information than I do. It would appear that the problem still existed into some of the 2003 models. I am sure you will get a reply as there are a lot of savvy people on this site and unfortunately a lot of them have experienced problems with the 3 litre in the Patrol and the action from Nissan is somewhat pathetic. I think it is safe to say that you definitely have the improved model motor. Why don't you give Nissasn a ring on the free number 1800 035 035 and quote your VIN number for confirmation. You should also ask them what the improvements were because it all depends who you speak to as to your answer.
See ya mate and good luck.
The Major

If the compliance plate say's 04, then it's an 04 come trade in time.
if there was another car parked next to your on the boat from japan,and got plated a day before (31/12/03) and yours was plated 1/1/04 (I know they don't show day) the other one is still a year older.

Hi Greg

There seems to be some flexibility in these things, and I had a pleasant surprise but the other way around.

In March I brought a new run out 2007 model DRZ400 bike
and it has a build date of 12/01/2008.

Hello Greg,
The build plate date is just that. It is the date that it was built at the factory in Japan. The Australian Compliance plate is the plate fitted under ADR's that confirms it complies with all applicable ADR's in Australia for the month and year. The compliance plates are fitted in Australia, usually in the bonded storage area, after the vehicle arrives by sea hence the later date because it takes some time from the date of production to be stored, loaded, shipped, unloaded, more storage, etc before they get sent out to the various Nissan dealers for stock available to be sold. Re is that good? Yes it is because you have a 2004 model not a 2003 model although the sales people being the wand polishers that they are will tell you its a 2004 model when you buy it and then try to tell you it is a 2003 model when you sell it but don't stand for any of that. It is a 2004 model pure and simple. Re the likelehood of problems plenty on this site would have more knowledge than I but I understand that after about October 2003 you are pretty safe. Re the turbo lag that is just something you have to get used to with any turbocharged diesel engine because the turbo cannot "spin up" to a high enough RPM to provide any decent boost until a decent volume of exhaust flow occurs and that cannot happen until a certain engine RPM occurs hence the time lag. Usually at about 1200 to 1500 RPM you will start to feel a bit of power. The manuals are a bit slower than the autos because there is no "slip" in the driveline wheras with the auto the torque converter is not direct coupled until it goes in to lock up at about 80kph so the further you push the pedal toi the metal the quicker the engine spins up providing that turbo boost a bit earlier. .