My New Build: 1990 3-Door Nissan Patrol, 4.2, Diesel

[Patrollife]

Thanks, Eric! Ah, the guys with me were excellent. Hard to be mad at a situation like that when we group together and problem-solve. It's part of the fun. And, yea, that trail was pretty good, will be even better when it starts raining. Stay tuned!

 

[Patrollife]

Got the Patrol back from the shop today. Had a few things done:

1. Secured the battery, which was tied down by string before.
2. Installed a vehicle extinguisher
3. Had it reupholstered and added a work station in the rear

Will be sending her back to the shop on Monday to get the exhaust fixed, the seats reupholstered, the A-pillar lights raised, and hopefully putting a rear light mount similar to the one pictured.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1780919_1547798702136331_6334036710832363428_n.jpg?
oh=96a308c74274c269744fe9a32601f09f&oe=558CD8E9&__gda__=1431788369_84fc2fee4d3fd7cba3dfd8e2ccc96446

 

[EricMcGrew]

Man, that looks really nice! It'll look even better when the rest of it's finished up. Are you scheduling the paint and body work yet for your little accident the other day?

 

[Patrollife]

Thanks, Eric! I'm getting the body worked fixed up next week, too. I am going to hold off on the paint. I'm still trying to decide whether I want to keep the color black or switch to a matte military green or dark grey.

 

[EricMcGrew]

Thanks, Eric! I'm getting the body worked fixed up next week, too. I am going to hold off on the paint. I'm still trying to decide whether I want to keep the color black or switch to a matte military green or dark grey.

I think either of those would look sweet. Especially with the black interior and the black wheels. Have you thought about just going a matte black? I think that'd be cool too!

 

[Patrollife]

I think either of those would look sweet. Especially with the black interior and the black wheels. Have you thought about just going a matte black? I think that'd be cool too!

The matte black has definitely crossed my mind. The only kicker is the Guatemalan Police Vehicles are the same color. But then again a military green or dark grey wouldn't be much different. Either way, once this thing is beefed up it's going to grab attention exploring out in the mountains. I've even toyed with the idea of a really dark rustic orange.

 

[EricMcGrew]

2 Things.

1) I don't know how the Guatamalan police vehicles look, but if your's is simular, they may actually think you are a cop and leave a lone a bit more. Don't know, just an idea.

2) From my painting experience with hotrods, be careful with the rust orange idea. It can work. However, typically it does best with a gloss color, not matte, and if the shade is just off enough, it can look like you primered your rig with the rustoleum rust prohiting paint for steel parts.

Just a couple of things to think about. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

 

[Patrollife]

Thanks. Good points to consider! That said, had the exhaust fixed today. I decided to go with a flat muffler and not extend the exhaust pipes all the way out to the rear bumper. After experiencing the entire thing coming off last weekend, I figured this would avoid any tubes bending around my chasis and such. The welding job is not the best but the work cost all but $103, including labor.

 

[Patrollife]

I know, not part of the Patrol build but my folks took my FJ for a drive today, back home in the US. I miss this thing.

 

[EricMcGrew]

That's ok! My Daihatsu pops up every now and again on most of my forum threads. Plus, I really like seeing this rig!

Btw, is the FJ Black, or a REALLY dark forest green? I can't quite tell.

 

[Patrollife]

Great. Glad to hear! The FJ is the Army Green NSSE model. From what I've gathered, there were only a certain number built because of the Tsunami that hit Japan. Toyota had to stop production and the NSSE models were considered to be "Trail Team Light" editions because they didn't finish the full package of Bilstein Shocks, BFG A/Ts, compass, etc. The NSSE still has the A-Trac, Rear Diff, and other goodies, so it still performs really well on and off road. I really enjoy driving the FJ but with the Patrol there's something about these older rigs that make you feel unstoppable on the trails.

Here's a little video I did of the FJ at one of my favorite running trails in the US. Dolly Sods is about a 3.5 hour drive from where I live in Northern VA. The Patrol GQ build is basically following the same model and strategy of my FJ. You'll have to excuse the typo in the title.

 

[Patrollife]

NSSE = Not So Special Edition

 

[EricMcGrew]

Wow Man! That's a cool little vid! I'm gonna share the link on my Off-Road Independence fb page (not intended as a shameless plug. Just advising.). I really liked it! I like CRAZY off-roading vids, like most of us, but I also like realistic, simply (for a lack of a better word), off-road vids that show how fun just getting out in nature with our rigs can be. In fact, as you've seen, that's how most of my vids are. I'm not trying to break an axle, blow a motor, or explode a t-case. I just want the simple challenge of seeing something new, and get where few others have gotten.

That's just me though...

 

[Patrollife]

Wow Man! That's a cool little vid! I'm gonna share the link on my Off-Road Independence fb page (not intended as a shameless plug. Just advising.). I really liked it! I like CRAZY off-roading vids, like most of us, but I also like realistic, simply (for a lack of a better word), off-road vids that show how fun just getting out in nature with our rigs can be. In fact, as you've seen, that's how most of my vids are. I'm not trying to break an axle, blow a motor, or explode a t-case. I just want the simple challenge of seeing something new, and get where few others have gotten.

That's just me though...

Cool man! Glad you enjoyed it. Some of my favorite moments are on the easier trails. It's the journey, and the company that you do it with, that counts more than anything, right? Your line of "I just want the simple challenge of seeing something, and get where few others have gotten" is so on-point to what my modus operandi is with off-roading/overlanding/camping. I couldn't have said it any better. What drives me more than anything is that silence, that feeling that no one else is around (except for those animals that know you are there but don't bother you, because you're just as much of a risk to them as they are to you), and finding those trails, both foot and rubber, that give meaning to your weekends. Well put, my expo friend, well put.

 

[EricMcGrew]

Thanks! I've had a few people like the vid also. Who knows... maybe you'll make a few more adsense pennies this week. LOL! I like to find some difficult and technical obsticles/trails from time to time. Honestly though, I always do a risk assesment to evaluate the fun vs breakage potential vs the "how cool it'll be to see" factors. I've gotten myself into some hairy places more than once. I always know though, if I break it, I've still got to get home, then I've got to try and find parts in this crazy mixed up place I call home. Not to mention my time doing the repairs (which I don't have)... So, yeah, i'd say a bit cautious with my wheeling. To most, I must sound like a bore. LOL!