Japanese import

Submitted: Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 at 19:52

ThreadID: 7759 Views:5832 Replies:8 FollowUps:10

This Thread has been Archived

rarin2go

Hi all,
I am new to this post and I apologise if this has been bought up before. I have searched the forum but could not find any answers for my search criteria.

I am currently considering buying a japanese import SWB Nissan Patrol GQ 4.2 Diesel. It's a nice vehicle, low k's and checks out mechanically and the price is right. My biggest concern is that the electrical system is 24 volt. I would like to eventually kit this vehicle out and would like to know if the 24 volt system limits my capability? All I know about the system is that it is 2 x 12 volt batteries in series and the whole system is 24 volt. It already has a factory (PT?) winch.

It already has two batteries, is it possible to setup a 3rd battery to run accesories independent of the starting battery like a 12 volt dual battery setup? Does charging cause problems?

OR am I better steering away from the 24 volt system??

Any other info on the jap imports would be great. I have been advised that Nissan never assembled any 4wd in Oz and all are 'imports' just the country specification (24 volt) is different.

thanks...

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Member - Ross- Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 at 20:10

Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 at 20:10

Nothing wrong with 24V systems, used widely in marine and some truck applications.

I had an MQ diesel Patrol many years ago which was 24V.

Not a sparky but can't see why you couldn't hook up an aux battery in parallel to one of the pair.

When correctly wired up it could draw from the charging system but not be required to contribute to same.Rosco

AnswerID: 33496

Reply By: Member - Eric- Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 at 20:17

Sunday, Oct 12, 2003 at 20:17

its not only the Voltage that diffrent , you will find simple things like discs and bearings are difrent to Oz models Venus Bay

AnswerID: 33500

Reply By: mcboom - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:19

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:19

Ive got a imported safari (GQ), disc and bearings are the same as locally delivered GQ Patrol.

AnswerID: 33538

Follow Up By: DODO(bendigo) - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:12

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:12

gday mcboom.
i was just about to sugest typing your name in search as i knew you had one.
how have you been.Raphus cucullatus

FollowupID: 24143

Follow Up By: mcboom - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:17

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:17

I am good mate, and yourself. Who are you by the way ??

FollowupID: 24144

Follow Up By: DODO(bendigo) - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:45

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:45

i used to have the nick diamond and went up to the snow with you last time about 2 months ago black lwb patrolRaphus cucullatus

FollowupID: 24152

Follow Up By: mcboom - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 20:00

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 20:00

Ofcourse I remember you Diamond. Why did you change your name ? Did you go on the last trip to Mt. Skene ?

FollowupID: 24153

Follow Up By: Member - Eric- Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 19:42

Tuesday, Oct 14, 2003 at 19:42

We had a swb GQ at work 2 weeks ago and local discs didnt fit , the vehicle was from PNG, this might have had something to do with it .Venus Bay

FollowupID: 24259

Reply By: ross - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:41

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:41

Ive seen this question pop up a number of times and although I know little of 24v systems those who do reckon the best thing to do is install an inverter and run your accessories off that.Costs less than $150 installed I think and takes up less room and weight than another battery.The 24v system is ok,after all the military use it universally.To my knowledge Australia is one of a few that has 12v 4wd diesels.If you dont mind me asking ,who did you go through as I was thinking of buying one myself.

AnswerID: 33543

Follow Up By: mcboom - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:18

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 19:18

Hi Ross. I know of an imported GQ for sale, e-mail marc@sricar.com if you want the info.

FollowupID: 24145

Reply By: ross - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:43

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 08:43

AnswerID: 33544

Follow Up By: rarin2go - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 09:01

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 09:01

Hi Ross,
I felt this question may have been asked before, but for the life of me could not find anything on the forum, obviuosly my search string is not creative enough, but thanx for your reply... I am in Perth and there a few dealers over here who import them. I just found this one through the local autotrader mag. I have looked at about 5, all are pretty good mechanically but they vary in body work and accessories. All vary between 120 - 180 thou Km/s. I found a small dealership who has got one hidden out the back and it is good all over inc paint, bodywork etc. . Hasnt quite got all the accessories, but it's good enough for me..

Mick

FollowupID: 24068

Reply By: rarin2go - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 09:04

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 09:04

Thanx to all who replied so far, will help with my decision on whether to purchase or not. The imports I have looked at are much better condition than any local one I have seen, so I think it is a good buy.

Cheers

Mick

AnswerID: 33547

Follow Up By: Martyn (WA) - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 14:33

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 14:33

rarin2go,
I have a Jap import 92 GQ and so far I haven't found any parts that are different, mines 12 volt and not 24 volt. I know the window rubbers are supposed to be a better quality that the Oz ones (sorry), the windscreen also has a built in antenna because they are't allowed to have any thing projecting from the body work, one way of knowing if it's a genuine Jap import as well. Just a couple of points. My MQ was 24 volt, for me it was things like radios and accessories that where a pain in the bot bot, always trying to figure out how to get around the problem. I forgot once and put a twelve volt globe in the interior light once it was like daylight for a short period of time......Keep the shiny side up

FollowupID: 24101

Follow Up By: rarin2go - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 20:35

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 20:35

WOW, lucky you got a 12 volt, I got told ALL import 4wd Nissan's are 24 volt. I havnt even seen one after 1988 yet, i think it has something to do with the 15 year rule that is now in place for imports..My only concern now with 24 volt is stereos and stuff but I guess an inverter (converter, reducer or whatever) will do the trick. I am over the fact I will never be able to run a dual battery (accessory) setup unless I want to mount another two batteries in the back, that brings other probs or change it all over to 12 volt, even more probs there... I havn't purchased yet, who knows, maybe I will find a nice condition Oz spec one before I part with the cash..

Thanx for the info..

FollowupID: 24157

Reply By: G.T. - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 17:30

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 17:30

Be very careful!!! Many,many, imported vehicles in N.Z. had their speedo`s wound back. This may not be the case with the vehicle that you are looking at ,but I would not personally consider one unless I could verify that the speedo reading was O.K. In N.Z. this was done by going back to Japan with the V.I.N. no to the vehicle`s Franchise Head Office to confirm what the speedo reading`s were when the vehicle was serviced whilst under warranty. Any discrepency will show up if the speedo has been wound back. I believe that most imports in N.Z. are now sold with this information available to a prospective customer. How you can get this information here is something that I can`t readily suggest a `how to go about it`scenario. CAVEAT EMPTOR.

Regards G.T.

AnswerID: 33624

Follow Up By: rarin2go - Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 20:29

Monday, Oct 13, 2003 at 20:29

Thanx for that info, I was concerned about this. I managed to get info from the WA Motor Trades Assoc. Here is part of that info, which is about WA Gov't tightening the licensing regulations which has stopped odo fiddling: (I hope I havn't breached any copyright) ;

"Under SEVS each imported used vehicle will be subject to individual inspection to ensure compliance with standards. Previously imported used cars like new vehicles were assessed through type approval. While type approval is adequate for new cars the quality of used cars varies depending on individual use.

Type approval for used vehicles allows abuse such as odometer fiddling to flourish. The new system provides reassurance to purchasers of imported used vehicles that they have met their required standards"

Rgds
Mick

FollowupID: 24155