Nissan Patrol

Hi Dunc,
If you do a bit of looking on here.http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/
You will get all the info you want.
Cheers Dave

Duncan, I think you are taking a big risk with any of the 3ltr Patrols. They are great while going but do have a terrible history. Have you considered the petrol patrols?
A 100 series may be a bit expensive but what price is reliability?
Good luck anyway with what ever you choose.
Ian

The CRDi has the same torque and power figures as the DI models but from comments I have heard it has better power delivery. It seems to be less economical than the DI but this is a very subjective view.

There is plenty of info on this site.

The Patrol Forum

I would go for anything after late '02 (series III). There were a few engine changes made around this time.

I had one for 8 years and 130K+ with no issues whatsoever. Excellent performance, ruggedness and economy.

Nice to drive for a full day out on the open road, engine is eager, unlike the 100TD I had that was more of a grunter. I didn't think it worked well for towing anything more than a camper trailer though. The 100TD was better for heavier towing.

I'd fit an EGT and Boost gauge for peace of mind since the engine does not seem to self handle problems with over boost or over fuel situations very well and gets hot and cracks pistons. Maintaining the MAF sensor seems to be key.

From what I understand the CRD was added for pollution control purposes and like some other vehicles it actually increased fuel consumption.

OBT

I loved my Nissan Dunc. They are a great Off road tourer that are basically bulletproof in the drive train department, are amazingly capable off road and will get you there in a degree of comfort that can make you feel guilty. HOWEVER, mate the problem extended past the 02 models as I can personally attest to. Take some extra time and if need be, spend that little bit more to get the 4.2. If you go down the 3 litre path an EGT and boost guage are a must.

They are a great car but the 3 litre is just not up to big stresses like heavy loads and heavy going.

Cheers Mick

Hi Duncan,

May I inquire as to the use that you intend for this vehicle? If it is for towing and you need a heavier vehicle for its capacity then the larger sizes will be a must.
The reason I ask is that there are several manufacturers that make 3lt turbo diesels that don't seem to have the "grenade" feature of the Patrols. Most, if not all do seem to have a much smaller body size/weight though. I must admit it has always puzzled me why none, or at least very few, of the others are being reported to have self destructed like the Nissan product. If it is just a problem of the location or quality of the MAF sensor why has the problem persisted for so long?
Could it be that Mr Nissan just does not have an engine suitable for the size vehicle?

Cheers
Pop

Duncan,

You say that you could go spend a bit more to get a 4.2 but then you would have to compromise on aftermarket stuff and accessories.

Can I ask what aftermarket stuff you think you may need.

I have a 4.2TD and love it. It really has very few accessories. Most come with Bullbar, driving lights and towbar and almost all that I have seen have a snorkel. Apart from that mine has a compressor, which I fitted very early after purchase. Yeah I also have a suspension upgrade and a winch but they have not been on long.

I did trips to the Simpson Desert and Vic High Country in a vehicle with bog standard suspension and drivetrain. The GU is a great vehicle off road, very comfortable and capable. It is the same on road.

The accessories I have fitted have improved the vehicle. They have made it more comfortable and provided me with the security I wanted to do trips on my own but I was pretty confident before I spent that money.

What I am saying is that you could buy a bog standard 4.2TD and have a very capable tourer. It took me 8 years to get my car to where it is now. Most of my touring was done before those 8 years were up.

Duncs

hi duncan
there was a good late model low km 4.8 petrol patrol in a wa paper last 7-10 days but cant remember which paper think it was a southwestern times or such
robin miller swears by this model on this sitewhen i saw the add i thought gee its rare to see one of them for sale as afaik you cant get them new any more

G'day Duncan

I know it's past your price range and it's in Qld but have a look at the EO classies mate - there is a 2002 GU 4.2Tdi for sale as well as a couple of Toyota's that might be a better option for you. If you've already had a squiz then - oops.

Best of luck with your search - I got lucky and got my 05 GU at a local auction.

Cheers

Mate I can vouch for the pajero 3.2 T/D but maybe still not big enough in the cargo area for you ?? Brilliant for towing, heaps of grunt and great on fuel. They will out perform a prado and this is coming from a prado owner. Comfortable little bit noisier then the prado's but go extremely well with or without a load and will pull all day. The only issue i have really ever heard about them engine wise is the timing chain tensioner but mitsi do a revised part for that $100... Great 4wd and reckon if you drove one you wouldnt be dissapointed. They will scrub inside rear tyres due to the IRS but this can be rectified when you set it up properly for towing...............

The 3.0 diesel Patrol could probably be described as a slug moving a truck.
It's power and torque figures are abysmal.
118Kw and 380Nm. Boy! While most smaller petrol motors have more power, the Falcon even has better torque @ 389Nm moving a much lighter vehicle.
OJ

3.0l patrol.....don't' do it. It's not a matter of if but when the engine fails. It might be a cracked head, piston failure or a combination which is what happened to me. So 100k km's isn't many for a diesel engine and now hoping to get more than that on the second engine.

Leroy