Patrol GU 2.8l - should we buy?

Submitted: Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 13:02
ThreadID: 77966 Views:4485 Replies:5 FollowUps:13
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Hi all,
We are looking at buying our first 4wd.
Our mechanic has a client selling a 1998 GU Patrol 2.8l - 130,000kms at $13k

Other types of vehicles we have been looking at are

Pajero (NL's) Petrol
Early Prado's Petrol

However price range is around the $13k mark so not many of the above with low kms around.

We would be looking to have it for hopefully around 10 years. Other than touring etc, it would be lucky to do 200kms a week around suburban melbourne.

I know the 4.2 would be a better choice or even a later year in the 3.0lt, but price does play a part.

Would the Patrol be a good buy?

Cheers

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Reply By: Madfisher - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 13:51

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 13:51
All solid axle Patrols are brilliant off road. The Ks are very good for its age, normal ks would be 250000 to 300000ks for this age vehicle. Has it got a service history?
They take a while to get on boost but once their they go ok, much better bet then the later 3l.
One vehicle you have omitted is the 3.5 v6 Jackaroo. You can buy 100000k examples in immaculate condition for less then $13000. Some people ask more for them but that is what they sell for. Not quite as good off road as the Patrol but much nicer to drive on road and reasonable fuel economy if you get a manual.
The metal in the body is a bit thin , but all m,odern cars are like that. The major driveline componets seem to be longer lived then pajs(we have had both) with some petrol motors untouched at 400000ks.
Take the Patrol for a drive, then a Jack, Paj or Prado. The Prados arte a good thing but in this price range most will have well over 200000ks and they do not last any longer then Jacks. If someone tells you you can not get parts for them take it with a grain of salt, we currently run a 98 and a 2003 and have had no problems not that they have needed much.
If you brought a 3lt you would have to spend a lot of money bomb proofing it.
But ask yourself to you need a full on 4wd to toodle arround the burbs.
Cheers Pete
AnswerID: 414129

Reply By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 13:57

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 13:57
The Patrol appears to be reasonable value, but have you driven one ? The only
2.8 I have driven was a real slug & towing with it was a real battle, maybe you
dont wish to tow. I bought a 2000 auto V6 Jackaroo for around that money with
only 87k on it. So far no problems, only use it for touring. Tows effortlessly.
Is the Patrol a good buy? If in very good condition with known service history
...maybe, if you consider the lack of power not to be an issue. You must inspect
& drive it. I am not aware of any inherant problems with this model, the 3 litres
blow up regularly apparently..........oldbaz.
AnswerID: 414131

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 14:58

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 14:58
Good day Baz,
Have you done any more research on 98/95/91 fuels.. While I have bagged sals Nullarbor auto out for being thirsty, at the last service we cleaned the maf and throttle body and on the last trip tp Sydney filled up with 98. From Mt Vic to RNS and back to Bathurst it only used just over half a tank which is not bad and we got stuck in two traffic jams as well. This was also using 10/30 oil.
Cheers Pete
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FollowupID: 684364

Follow Up By: stevie1947 - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 16:21

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 16:21
Old Baz. That's a dumb statement regarding 3l pootrol blowing up regulary.
If u done some homework u would know that it was an issue in the 2000/early2001models and was rectified later in 2001. Models after that don't blow up any more than most other vehicles. It's just mostly Toyota propaganda.
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FollowupID: 684370

Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 16:49

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 16:49
Well, there you go, I've been reading about 3L Patrols blowing up on this forum,
& others, for many years, & all that time it wasnt true !!! Only way back in 2000
eh?? .That sure makes me dumb......will try to get some therapy for that. What
a disgrace....:)))....oldbaz.
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Follow Up By: Member - Oldbaz. NSW. - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 16:54

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 16:54
Back again....You had best advise Madfisher Pete about being dumb too. I note
he refers to "Bombproofing" 3l Patrols . Foolish bloke.....:)))).......oldbaz.
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Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 19:01

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 19:01
Strange I must have misread about a 2005/06 detonating Must have been a typo

ROFL
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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 19:14

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 19:14
Yep..... I've regularly read about the pins falling from the grenade.... not just the early ones.....

We're all having the same delusional experience........ was it good for you guys too???? LOL.....

Cheers

Brian


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Follow Up By: Madfisher - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 22:20

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 22:20
Stevie wonder the only diff is the later ones blow up at 180000ks not 80000ks, which I guess is an improvement. But you had me rolling arround the floor laughing and I dont currently own a Yoyota either. In fact I quite like all 2.8s 4.2 petrol and diesel 4.5 and 4.8 but I would not take a 3lt into any remote area unless the mods to m,ake it more reliable have been carried out. Their was a thread on this only yesterday.
Got to get up off the floor now sides are hurting.
Cheers Pete
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Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 06:14

Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 06:14
Madfisher posted:
"In fact I quite like all 2.8s 4.2 petrol and diesel 4.5 and 4.8 but I would not take a 3lt into ANY area unless the mods to m,ake it more reliable have been carried out."
Cheers Pete

There ya go Pete.... Fixed it for ya!!!! LOL.....


Cheers

Brian


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FollowupID: 684401

Follow Up By: fisho64 - Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 18:57

Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 18:57
"That's a dumb statement regarding 3l pootrol blowing up regulary. "

I think hes having a lend Oldbaz- hes defending it and calls it a POOTROL in the same sentence?
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Reply By: sweetwill - Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 15:02

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 15:02
hi there Dicho
I did lease a 99 model 2.8 a few years Bach when they were new, it was a little under powered when towing my 5m boat, only on hills, if you weren't towing anything heavy they drive like a car i was so impressed with it I'm thinking about getting another of similar vintage, in the 3 years i leased it the only problem i had was a minor thing with the gear box, hopefully someone on this site can tell us if they have any other problems cheers bill.
AnswerID: 414138

Reply By:- Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 20:45

Saturday, Apr 24, 2010 at 20:45
Mate, join www.patrol4x4.com .

Its the only site on which you can discuss and learn a hell of alot on patrols (be they 2.8/3.0/4.2/4.5 or 4.8 GUs or anyother patrol). On any other site you will be fed the usual platter of uninformed opinions (abuse may be a better term in some cases) about patrols, particuarly the ZD30 3.0L GUs.
AnswerID: 414168

Follow Up By: Member Brian (Gold Coast) - Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 06:15

Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 06:15
Second that^^^^^^^ The Patrol site is a good one!!


Cheers

Brian


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FollowupID: 684402

Reply By: Member - Robert W (VIC) - Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 10:45

Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 10:45
Hi
I have owned a 99 GU 2.8TDI from new and its still like new -- only 110k, only problem was it lost gas in a/c through a leaking fitting a few years back.
Done lots of outback trips and never missed a beat, good economy too.
Its a bit slow off the mark and would so would not be good towing.
It is chipped and has most of the extras.
They would appear to be very good value -- low klms and history.
Rob
AnswerID: 414195

Follow Up By: DaDutchman - Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 13:32

Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 13:32
I'm currently looking to buy a new 4WD (my first) as well. Love the Patrols for looks, 4WD ability and value, but after talking to many many different people and searching forum I have decided to stay away from the 3.0 TD. Yours (if you bought one) might (with all the mods to control boost) be fine, but even a nissan service department admitted that if she's gonna go she's gonna blow! Couldn't get your foot off the pedal fast enough. With $20.000 to play with, I couldn't risk a $15.000 repair bill on top.
Drove a 4.5L petrol patrol on gas and was impressed.... would go for lower km's than what I drove (260.000), but impressive none the less. Hilux would be my pref (KZN165R) but hard to find a clean and decent priced one!

have fun hunting!
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FollowupID: 684421

Follow Up By: DaDutchman - Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 13:34

Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 13:34
Forgot to mention...
Drove a 2.8 TD, from hear say in many places quite reliable (occasional head or turbo issue, but nothing like the 3.0TD) but very slow off the mark (although quicker that a 5L (engine type, not size) hilux....)
Dutchy
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Follow Up By:- Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 14:49

Sunday, Apr 25, 2010 at 14:49
The RD28ETi engine fitted to the GU Patrols remains one of the highest revving diesels to make it to a mainstream vechile in Australia; They have a redline of 5400rpm, peak torque at 2000rpm and peak power at 4000rpm.

They are not to be driven like a typical lumbering sluggish TD42 or 1HZ motor but like a petrol engine with changes between 2800 to 3500rpm. Nissan fitted 4.625 diffs for a reason.

As before if you want to find out information from OWNERS not those who have probably never driven one (or know how to drive one :) head to patrol4x4.
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FollowupID: 684428

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