New Nissan Patrol ... opinions?

[MitsosOSougias]

I was given the task of getting a new LWB 4x4 for a company I work with.

I am considering the Patrol . Because of liabiliy/insurance issues the mods I am allowed to make are VERY limited. I am looking at the 3.0 Liter Adventura. Is the auto transmition any good?

Opinions needed and alternatives ...

 

[Spikepretorius]

IMHO the Patrol is the strongest vehicle out there. Better than a Land Cruiser.

Upgrades and accessories are scarcer though, and where I come from the dealer back up isn't so great. That's the only downside.

Accessories and upgrades are available from Australia. The Patrol is a firm favourite in Oz.

 

[mcm4090]

The Australia have it all.

 

[4Rescue]

Get a 70series Cruiser, they're tougher and can be equiped with lockers front and rear from the factory...

 

[Spikepretorius]

they're tougher

It's commonly accepted fact, even by Cruiser enthusiasts, that the Patrol drivetrain is stronger than the the Cruiser.
But that's it, I'm outta here before a war starts.:smilies27

 

[MitsosOSougias]

It has to be a new vehicle.

Keep them coming ...

 

[canucksafari]

The Patrol axles and difs are much stronger than the LC's. The axles on the new models make the LC axcles look very small. The 3.0 L would not be my selected motor but it is the only one you'll get in Europe. The tested and proven workhorse if the TD4.2T. I believe that is still avalaible in the Safari (Patrol) in the Middle East. I would buy one there and import it if that were an option for you. The Patrol/Safari comes with either a rear dif LSD or a vacuum operated locker. In terms of parts, I think you will find a wide range of support parts for the engines around the world. The TD4.2 was used in a variety of commercial applications. The only place where parts may be difficult to find is in the US, Mexico and Canada. But I can help you there with the parts importers I know in Canada. The down side is you are not going to walk into a parts store here and have them pull the part you want from their stock. Of course, being the fact you are driving a Patrol, it is unlikely that you will need parts support for a long time. As for mods, there is quite an avid group of Trollers in Spain, France, Germany and England who wheel their trucks so you can get lifts and other mods for them. But yes, by far the best stuff comes from Australia.

 

[4Rescue]

It's commonly accepted fact, even by Cruiser enthusiasts, that the Patrol drivetrain is stronger than the the Cruiser.
But that's it, I'm outta here before a war starts.:smilies27

Axles...maybe, but overall, the toyota is put together better and will stand up to more abuse. If you're not going to run huge tires then the axles are more than sufficient.

So Canadian: You really can't get the 4.2 anywhere outside of the ME or OZ??? That's kind of lame. The 3.0 is a pretty small motor to haul around that beast eh. Although with the technology of new diesels they're squeezing more and more power out of them eh.

I like the Patrols, I just personaly have had better experiences, with the LC70. When your truck stays in 4wd every day for a month and see's pavement for about 2 hours of that month (to go into town to get suplies) I feel like that's a pretty good way to evaluate the quality's of various trucks. From Defenders to Patrols to Cruisers, I've abused them all. If you're work is gonna buy you a new Patrol, I say don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but if you have the choice, my opinion is you should go with the Toyota.

Cheers

Dave

 

[taco chaser]

70 series Landcruiser, turbo diesel v8, solid axles, lockers, available flat beds, safari beds, utility beds, troop carrier style, two doors, four doors, parts availability, aftermarket support, simplicity in design, and they are tested proven vehicle with a Toyota badge, did I say TURBO DIESEL V8. Patrols are bad *** if you live in a country were they are sold, but for a daily driven trail rig the cruiser would be the smarter purchase IMO.:beer: :smiley_drive:

 

[4Rescue]

70 series Landcruiser, turbo diesel v8, solid axles, lockers, available flat beds, safari beds, utility beds, troop carrier style, two doors, four doors, parts availability, aftermarket support, simplicity in design, and they are tested proven vehicle with a Toyota badge, did I say TURBO DIESEL V8. Patrols are bad *** if you live in a country were they are sold, but for a daily driven trail rig the cruiser would be the smarter purchase IMO.:beer: :smiley_drive:

bingo...

 

[mcm4090]

Sensitive. :eatchicke

 

[Spikepretorius]

I realise that I was guilty of bringing the Cruiser into the conversation in the first place but come on guys the guy needs advice on a Patrol not to be convinced about a Cruiser. This is heading downhill.

 

[4Rescue]

They're both great trucks. I prefer one over the other. As the title of the thread implies, the guy is looking for opinions on the Patrol:

SO...

The lack of the big diesel makes me shy away. Maybe for European city's it'd be fine with the 3.0, I don't know.

Unless you're strictly looking for a 4dr wagon, the Patrol is going to come up short on options in the configuration department.

As spike has said: The patrol has a good following in Europe and Australia so you'll be able to find aftermarket goodies for it. Will they be as readily available as the Cruiser bits? Doubtful, but htey're out there.

I haven't priced them out in your neck of the woods, but In OZ, there was a price premium put on the Cruiser, but not on the Patrol making it quite a good deal dollar for dollar.

On the other side of the coin everyone worked on Toyotas but there were few people that specialized in the Trolls.

So, what are the details of your possible acquisition? Is the Cruiser even an option?

Cheers

Dave

 

[canucksafari]

No doubt the 76 series cruisers are very nice rigs. If I had the money and could legally import one into Canada, I would be very tempted. The 100 series cruiser are not much to write home about. Lots of electronics - fine for the mall cruiser - that can and do go wrong on you. It has difs which go bang - especially that front dif (with stock size treads). There are also more reports of serious engine problems. And it isn't just a question of difs or axles on the Patrol. The whole drive train is just built way sronger than the 100 series LC. Now the new 200 Series is even more questionable. They are more high tech and less off road capable than the 100 series. IMO, they are an expensive shopping cart. And who the h*ll wants full time 4x4?

We recently have had a bit of a discussion on the Patrols in the IH8MUD Expos Section: http://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/212466-camper-came-into-work-today.html. That Euro Spec 3.0 sdid all right from Austria and also did some pretty decent trecks in Australia. Still given the history of that motor, it wouldn't be my favorite for a multi year trek.

Which one depends on where you are going to drive it. If it will spend its life in Europe, a Rav 4 will do you fine. If it is going to be treking around Africa, Asia or Latin America, then I would go for a 4.2L Patrol.

If used is an option, then I would consider a low kms 80 series LC with the 1HDT - just don't forget to change out the BEBs before you go. Even a totally rebuilt 60 series with a diesel would be a good go for an expo vehicle.

 

[MitsosOSougias]

Sorry for the delay, I was away on a gig.

Used is not an option but ALL suggestions for new vehicles are very welcome! It will spend its time equally in the city as well as off road.

It is staying in Eastern Europe and it will be used and abused. Because of liability and insurance issues we cannot make many changes. You know how it goes insurance companies try to get out of paying after accidents ...

I am looking into ways to get the 4.2 over here ...