Hi
Oshkosh: It would be good for this discussion if you can tell us where you're based.
Axles: Even the H233 is a lot stronger than LandCruiser's axles. It is so obvious when you have them both side by side… The Patrol big ring and the pinion are so much bigger… Even the differential itself with its satellites… teeth on Cruiser's diff are not that big at all… I opened and overhauled mine at 200'000kms when I got it (stock and withou towing package)… I was pretty shocked to see how the little teeth of the satellite was worn out… The worn would not be better on a Patrol's diff ( I don't know), but the size of the teeth would make it more acceptable.
Toyota vs Nissan: Toyota has more economical power, a better network, and a better choice of vehicles to offer. Then, when you come to compare the success of each other, in the 4x4 field, some major facts:
- Toyota always believed in the third-world market. And Toyota still has a great network of dealers and facilities all around the world. This is the first reason why UN, NGO's and associations always preferred to buy Toyotas.
- Having these organizations as clients helped Toyota to stay behind their partners and continue to support / manufacture 4x4 with african spec.
- Toyota ofently was heading the competitions in terms of luxury and engines. Exemple: the Y60 with the 4.2 or the 2.8TD only led from 1987 to 1990. Then Toyota launched the LC80, with a more modern shape and a more powerful engine. Then While Nissan launched the Y61 with a moderner shape (still with the older engine), Toyota launched the even moderner shaped LC100, always with a better performing engine. The Y61 never reached the success it was promised to in Europe because of it's engine. A lot of the 3.0DI from 2000 and 2001 failed. Then the reputation of these mighty 3.0 was disastrous. Another fact is that the 3.0 in its earlier version was not powerful enough for this big beast (still better than the old 2.8). 160 lazy hp where not enough for towing etc.. The needs or taste of overlanders, farmers or companies needing a trailing horse where not the main concern of Nissan. In the main time, toyota always had better solutions in terms of towing capabilities, pure luxury ( that was the gold time of big suv bought as family cars ) and look. Now, a 3.0 from 2003 and later, correctly prepared and optimized can turn a Y61 Patrol into a fantastic overland vehicle. I'm personally driving the latest version, with a completely reengineered 3.0 with Common-Rail injection (3.0CRD or 3.0DCI) What a different with the earlier 3.0… I don't have any words to tell how much I like it. But this is after a serious optimization (mine achieve 240hp and 600nm) In the same time, Patrol where selling like pancakes in Australia, because of its ultra-reliable TD4.2 and the fact that Australian where more in need of a tough vehicle.
Chassis: Chassis cracks on the Y61 are not new to me. But I never saw one personally. On mine, I welded some steel plates on the coils seats to reinforce this area… Just in case… As said RMP&O, this can happens to all sort of 4x4 when used intensively. I personally saw severe cracks on Defender 110 and distortions on 80-series chassis (not cracks), as well as cracks on a 78 chassis. Gvm is not really important in your comparison. Most overland vehicle when setup for touring will have a higher weight. 3.5 to 4.0 tons is not unusual, depending on your destinations of course. When living for destinations like the Sahara where we need at least 1000km of autonomy in the sand, both my 80 and Patrol are weighting between 3.6 to 3.9 tons. My better advice: drive according to the weight of your car, use a great suspension setup (most important thing to do on your vehicle) and if you can, upgrade your brakes. Patrols' brakes are quite soft. But again, if you're not racing, it's not a problem.
Cheers
Nico
