GU patrol 4.2 diesel wagon

If it's an ST turbo, then it's rated at 114kw. The non-turbo is 91kw. At 114kw, it's still not a ball of fire.
There are some issues with overheating when towing, but I've never experienced any myself, as I don't tow.
Also, that period had 5th gear issues (1999-2000 on both Series I & II), esp when towing. Mine chopped out at about 120,000, but had it fixed under warranty. Due to a weak spline on 5th gear, and means replacement of the main shaft and 5th gear. Not cheap, so check if it's been done already.
Otherwise pretty bulletproof.
Gerry

Hi Peter

The Turbo is 114kw , without turbo was 91 , both very low torque though.




TD42, 4.2 litre (4169cc) naturally aspirated diesel, dropped 2000
bore: 96mm, stroke: 96mm, c.r.: 22.7:1
power: 91kW at 4000rpm, torque: 272Nm at 2000rpm

TD42T, 4.2 litre (4169cc) turbo-charged diesel
bore: 96mm, stroke: 96mm, c.r.: 22.7:1
power: 114kW at 3600rpm, torque: 330Nm at 2000rpm

Hi Peter,

I have 2 x 4.2T GU Patrols and most certainly if it is a stock standard setup then you most certainly can say it will be "sluggish" with the 2400kg van in tow. The good news is for a cost you can dramatically increase the performance of this motor giving a much better (even great) towing unit.

Be warned the 2000 model is right in the middle of a bunch of vehicles sent out from the factory with dodgey spline shafts in the gearbox resulting in 5th gear letting go of the mainshaft and a $3000.00 repair bill to boot. If your prospective vehicle has not had the 5th gear problem rectified I would strongly advise to be prepared for to fix it if you go ahead and buy the vehicle.

Also overheating is a big issue for people towing with the 4.2's but one of my vehicles has towed most it's 400000km life and ran very hot on the temp gauge for all this time without long term side effects (to date anyway). My other 4.2 suffers the same heating issues but also has 250000km on the clock. From these vehicles I would say with confidence I will get plenty more than the 250 thou on the one you are thinking of buying and it seems a pretty good buy price if you want my opinion.

Cheers, Trevor.

25,000 KMS a year for 10 years and $24,500 don't touch it ,you will get burnt.

Hi Peter,

I have a 2000 4.2TD GU2, andhave been really happy with it. Unfortunately the 5th gear did need to be replaced, and that was even without a history of towing. I ain't braggin' cos it ain't the fastest set of wheels in town, but there are several after market performance changes that can be made (check out the 3 inch exhaust changes for a start). It's an old tech donk, but reliable, and it won't cost a packet to have the injectors serviced (mine were about $260 for the set at the last service).

Hi peteraw, we have one that has done over 250000klms, it is the 1999 model, we sure can't burn anyone off at the lights with it but the mileage it has done has been hard miles. Kept the services up on it and up to this point in time the motor hasn't missed a beat. As above it does get warm when towing, we have a full 18ft Jayco that we tow, when we aren't towing that we are doing the deserts over with it. We did have a clutch problem some time back, we had that changed and also the 5th gear was done at the same time, the 5th gear didn't go on us it was just knowing that it was a weakness so got it changed while the clutch was being done. Other than that all has been well, wouldn't swap it at this point.

Cheers

D

I have been towing with a 2001 GU 4.2TD for 9 years, there is not a huge kilometre count in that but the towing has been in a wide variety of conditions and I have never been disappointed.

The overheating can be an issue but mine has only done it on hot days when I was travelling quickly with a large load. Take away any of those conditions and it has not overheated. To put that in perspective we once towed from Broken Hill to Ballina in 16 hours. It was January and at 10am in Coonabarabran it was 42C. Yes the car got warm but careful use of the right foot kept the temp under control. On this trip we had 5 adults, the camper trailer, 3 push bikes and enough gear to be away from home for 6 weeks

We have towed in summer through the Vic High Country, once again by going a little easy on the throttle there was no problem.

I did not buy the Patrol to win the traffic light derby but as a touring vehicle I think it will keep up with traffic quite well.

Bearing in mind the concerns over the gearbox I doubt you will be unhappy.

Duncs

Peter!! The 4.2 as mentioned is a slug, very underpowered but very reliable with an old style mechanical fuel injection system, cheap to maintail and will go the yards. My first new GU1999 4.2 has over 400,000ks with no money spent on it other than normal servicing and new clutch at 350,000ks and my current 2003 has 312,000ks and not a cent spent on it and still the original clutch... So if you want relieability, the 4.2TD or the 4.2TDi has it but it really is an engine going nowhere!!! Michael

Towing in 5th gear should not be done in any car, it is stated in most manuals, even toyota manuals.
Its an over drive gear for those who DONT know,not even toyotas are immune to this.
If you tow in 5th gear up hills and / or put strain on it any gearbox will go after time. flat stretches of road should not be an issue
So dont put this down as a nissan only thing.
The GU 4.2TD is probably the best 4wd going around.

Price seems to be at the top end of the market for that year model. The intercooled versions are the most desirable, and therefore more expensive, versions.

You should have no problems with the Patrol, just have to be happy with the price you pay. If you have the money, you will not be disappointed.

My opinion is that the dual cab utes would not last the test of time towing that weight constantly.

The naturally aspirated 4.2 doesn't seem much less powerful than the 4.2 turbo. The turbo version is also sluggish but both seem to use their power very well. Reliability, low down torque and simplicity are their high points