New Nissan Patrol ... opinions?

[4Rescue]

Well, then like I said before, the 78 series is the clear winner to me. All it needs is some bigger more agressive tires, and maybe an Old Man Emu suspension and it's finished. Factory f/r lockers, the 4.5 Turbo diesel... what more could you ask for.

If it were a viable option for me(stupid N. American market) there is no other truck on the planet I'd rather have.

Course we don't see enough patrols here so maybre having you build one up is just what we boardies need eh

Cheers

Dave

 

[Scott Brady]

Well, the 70 series may be the winner for durability and reliability, but the Patrol is not far behind, and has the advantage of great road manners and comfort too.

If I was buying something as a wagon/utility/company vehicle to transport people mostly, then the Patrol has it IMO.

 

[MitsosOSougias]

I was under the impression that the 70 series was discontinued labout 10 years ago? I can only buy a brand new vehicle.

The new ones (120 200) seem a bit "soccer momny" but i might be mystaken ...

 

[DBS311]

Well, the 70 series may be the winner for durability and reliability, but the Patrol is not far behind, and has the advantage of great road manners and comfort too.

If I was buying something as a wagon/utility/company vehicle to transport people mostly, then the Patrol has it IMO.

Isn't the new 70 series available as a wagon as well? I had the brochure for it, but seem to have missplaced it......

 

[BiG BoB]

Toyota used up all the 7x model numbers, and since we're all meant to be green started recycling them again!

Toyota Australia page on the new 70 Series

http://www.toyota.com.au/landcruiser-70-series

We have had some here at the mine I'm working at for a few months now. No problems with them so far

Sean

 

[DBS311]

I'd love to have either the Patrol or the 70 wagon. I've always said that I would NEVER get rid of the FJ62 that's been with me since 1995, but I'd get rid of it in a heartbeat for one of these.

 

[canucksafari]

That 76 series wagon would be on my top list as well - way ahead of the 78. Funny thing is a lot of Australians say they are too small and go for a 100 or 200 series shopping wagon instead.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I would love the Patrol! What a nice suv

my venezuelan friends tell me it is like a beefed up 80 series. I like it because it looks like what Toyota would make the 80 series if they continued to develop the SFA suv setup.
Too bad it's not in the USA (how many times has that been said!)

 

[canucksafari]

You don't have too long to wait to get a high roof Y60 Nissan Safari (GQ Patrol) from Japan in the US. They have to be 25 years old, right? The first year for them was 1988. 1990-93 were the best years IMO. 1994 they lightened the pistons. Still okay with a turbo but you have to keep the boost down if you turbo it.

 

[MitsosOSougias]

Thank you very much for your opinions ...

I think I can summarize the consensus as:

1. New Patrols are not bad

2. The 3.0 version needs a bit more "oumf" I should try to special order the 4.2

Apart from the Land Cruiser 78 is there any other more readily available alternative?

 

[UK4X4]

Ive had 2 patrols in my time..the 4.2 non turbo and a 2.7 Turbo diesel both in the UK.

reliability......zero issues over 5 years of ownership, including trips to morroco.

If they still do the 4.2 and have added a turbo....wow, huge gutsy high torque straight 6 with turbo....mmmmm lovely.

Solid axles front and rear, truck size drive train done........add a few OME springs and shocks and call it done.

None of the late diesel patrols were ever sold in the US..........

Toyo mal cruisers everywhere over here,,,,even discuised as LEXUS for more plush leather and buttons

 

[BiG BoB]

Only other option that comes to mind is a Landrover Defender. Being a british vehicle I'd assume it meats relevent European Union emission/safety requirements - but this is something you should probably check for yourself.

They are a very tough, capable vehicle, but slightly low on creature comforts.

Australian Landrover website (Defender page)

The above are australian army "Perentie" vehicles, which are loosely based on landrover defenders, and far far far superior to US Hummers (isn't hummer slang for something??)

Sean

 

[MitsosOSougias]

Sean "Perenties" are not available to the public. In any case a 3 axle vehicle would need an upgraded license (I think) and spare parts would be a problem. In general LV has a sketchy parts supply where I am from for the Defenders.

Whereas Nissans are VERY common place.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

this is the Patrol that I lust after. Basically a 80series Land Cruiser on steroids, it's probably what the 80 would be if Toyota kept making it.

love it!

 

[BiG BoB]

Yeah the patrols really are a good vehicle, tougher in many respects than a 100 series IMHO. My fathers on his 3rd GU (the model pictured) and it has behaved without fault. The only breakdown he's ever had was with his first patrol, a 4.5L petrol model. It suffered a problem with the ecu/injectors and was dumping fuel constantly. Similair to an injector being jammed open, but caused by a wireing/computer/software fault.

From what reading I've done, the latest commercial series cruiser (known both as a 70 and 78 series) meets all emission requirements worldwide, and is the reason that the 1hz engine was replaced with the new V8 (whereby the 1hz failed emissions for some international markets).

I hope I'm not treading on toes here, but patrols have an enourmous following in Australia, and you would be more than welcome to research and ask questions on http://forums.overlander.com.au. It's a forum owned by a popular 4wding magazine here in Australia.

Sean