Canadian Patrol GQ build up

[ForealBoreal]

Your troll is turning out pretty sweet,
I think I could handle one of them if I didn't get my 77.
How do you find that back up light?

 

[Abitibi]

The light turned out great. It might get better output if it was set up higher, maybe but I didn't want it too exposed or complicated. As it is it's bone simple, very efficient and discreet. For the size of that light it's hard to complain!

Yes, that 77 is pretty nice! She'll soak up the abuse nicely!

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

I guess this should compliment my build up thread although it might get a life of its own... Newest update is this nice Canadian military M101 trailer I got this week. I'm glad it's already restored as I'd be itching to get it done before completing some of the projects I already have going on the truck.

So the trailer will get minimal attention for now, just some good use...

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

Got another project I can scratch off... Ham radio.

I had my marine Ham license but quite useless for this work horse so took another quick course and got my Ham license along with a cool call sign matching my rig: VA7PIG. ;-)

Once the paperwork was in order I attended the local ham swap meet and bought a new iCom ic2300h mobile radio along with a antenna and mount, all for a good bargain!

My friend Jay gave me a hand to mount the radio while I was busy fitting the antenna and running the cable to the front. He mounted the radio in the lower din below the stero. We simply cut the existing plastic basket to fit the ham inside and used it to secure the radio.

The antenna... I only used the part I needed from the antenna base and mounted it on the spare mount at the back. Pocked a whole through the door to run the cable inside the back door and through the rubber sleeve joining the door to the truck, ran it along the floor to the front. Easy! I calibrated the antenna once it was mounted on the truck, all good!

Finally I hook up a external speaker under the dash by the steering column, out of the way.

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

Got a few more projects on the go that will make a huge difference on the old girl. I've been staring at a nice turbo sitting on my shelf along with a manifold for the last month, driving me crazy not finding the time to get it done.

During that time our friend Laurentiu got himself his "Mule", a 91 Patrol. He couldn't wait to get going on modifying it and I'm benefiting from his skills and friendship!

So the turbo is coming alive! The mandrel 2.5" stainless downpipe and exhaust are getting done from scratch by Laurentiu...

These pictures are from his truck but everything is done in double . As soon as we receive the sump gaskets and oil fittings I should be good to Start installing mine as well. Vroom!

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

And one more little project...

After purchasing my M101 can trailer I had to mount a proper hitch and do the electrical. I got the hitch done here in Burnaby BC by E&H Hitch for $350 all included but the wiring. Wasn't even worth my time trying to do it myself at that price. Very nice and tidy job.

If the PO had not converted the trailer to 12v things might have been simpler but at the same time no one could borrow it (might be a good thing!) and I wouldn't have been able to use other trailers, not as good...

So I converted my truck's harness to 12v. What my buddy Jay and I did was to build a little box to convert JDM (& maybe European) trailer harness to North American style. We attached all our relays onto it as we are taking power from my 3rd (12v) battery but the signal from the 24v brake lights.

I went with a dual style 4 & 7pins. No where to mount it on the hitch without chances to rip it off on the first trail so next best option was into the door...

Works a treat!

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Shanfari]

Man you're serious! If you want to change your cat to a Left hand "LHD" then GCC spec Patrols would fit (Arabian Gulf countries specifications), this my troll:

More details:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/75601-My-Arabian-Nissan-Patrol-1997-Y60-(GQ)

 

[Abitibi]

Update time, turbo time!

My good friends Felix and Toni are currently traveling down central America and I've promised to post what I've been up to with my truck... So here it is!

The temporarily finish product. The air filter is just so I can drive the thing as is but we'll build a new air box to accommodate the snorkel.

It was a very tight fit. Would have been nice to use 3" down pipe but 2.5" is all we could do.

We built two down pipe out of stainless, I don't deserve the credit for this work as it just showed up all done! But we didn't realize it wouldn't fit on a 5 spd as it was crafted around an AT... There was a stupid clutch bracket in the way :-(

So we butchered a real piece of stainless art and resurrected it into a saxophone... At least it now clears the clutch bracket!

Tomorrow I get the last part of the exhaust done, put the EGT probe back on, boost gauge and I should be good to test/raise the boost and wake up the old Donkey!

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

One more picture with the down pipe installed. Also finished the full exhaust today. The new turbo gives a nice whine but I need to take it apart as it spits oil through the tailpipe and makes for a good smoke show... A draw back but c'est la vie!

 

[Abitibi]

I got a lot of practice recently removing and installing my turbo! 13 minutes out, 23 minutes in... ;-)
I'm pretty sure my issue was my crank case breather tube getting pressurized by the turbo so I'm putting an oil catch can in between the breather tube and hooking it between air filter and turbo. Should solve this problem!

In stock configuration the Patrol's rear bench is pretty cramped. With 2 yound kids still in car seats it wasn't ideal for them. Initially I removed the middle seats and since my truck was a seven seater I simply used the rear bench, tons of leg rooms! Not ideal though as it was a pain to attend them cause kids at that age are pretty needy...

So I ditched the rear bench and started from scratch. Built a strong steel platform to mount my new bench.

I also moved my two batteries to fit under the bench, out of the way but easily accessible. I have since built a wooden box to secure them, pics to follow.

The bench I'm using is from a Mitsu Delica (Chamonix or Jasper model). Overall, the bench now seats further back and taller than in stock form. Way more room for the kids but good thing I have a high roof!

What's nice with this bench is that the back rest easily flips so you can either sit facing forward or backward. The goal is to mount the bench on slides and when I'm camping I'll simply slide the bench forwards and flip it to face back. That way it opens up the "living" area. The bench also opens flat to become part of the interior bed. If you ask my wife she'll tell you I did this for the kids, at least that's how I justified my fab time with her... ;-)

I have another of those bench that I'll cut in two and use the base to mount my front passenger's seat so it can too flip and face back to make the most of the available space...

I'll have more pictures tonight...

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[dinoevo]

Good to read you finally installed your turbo after you have been talking about it for years
What pressure are your running when its all done?

Great idea with the bench and the metal platform. I bet your kids will love it. Glad our old bench has a second life!

Keep posting your mods

 

[Abitibi]

Ever evolving...

Battery box neatly hidden under the bench. False floor leveled with bench base still needs to be built.

New back bench in place.

And flipped back so I can kick my feet up!

And my secret location for the wine corkscrew ;-)

And 12psi Felix...

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

Crush time!

We are leaving in a week for a quick one month road trip down Arizona, Moab... It's been very busy lately but it's all coming together. Firstly, I got my trailer pretty much completed. Here's the build link:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1100465

This weekend I'm finishing the sliders and the rear cargo box/sleeping platform. Plus a few more...
Here's just a couple tease pics.

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

I need more than 24 hrs in a day!

Last night with a good buddy we ended up working on my truck until past midnight, wish I didn't have to get up at 5:30 this morning! We adjusted the valves and cleaned all the injectors. Glad I did before heading out on the trip as one injector was very sticky. And what a difference now, noticeably more power or at least way more responsive.

I also removed the auxilary fuel tank I had on the roof and mounted a new custom one under the truck. It had been bugging me for well over a year so what a relief!

And a few more pics on the rear cargo, bed platform... The first few are just some close up for the track details.

And what it starts to look like. I'm telling you, if we had 26hrs/day my draws would be done!

Cheers
Mr. D

 

[Abitibi]

I finished the drawers just before heading out to Expo, had a good 3 weeks to test them all out and they performed great! It sure simplifies life to have those in the back!