NISSAN PATROL WORTH IT?

[Strider]

Have a chance on a running Patrol 1965 6 cylinder gas with 58k original miles. Has three vents under window. Needs some bodywork and paint and a driver side window.. Asking 3k.

Also a 198? Looks same as the 65 but missing rear troop seats. Has two vents under window and a rollbar under top. Not running with a 6cylinder engine. May go for 2k or less.

Both are hard tops.
I would like to restore it to a daily driver for my wife. Maybe swap in a newer engine? Is there a recommended engine swap? Diesel? 4cylinder?
Is it worth it?
All advice appreciated.

 

[PetitFrereArmada]

Pics? Link to ad?

 

[Strider]

Been trying to upload a picture but the &(&%*^&% thing won't work!

 

[Strider]

This is the vehicle. Paint looks horrible but that's easily remedied.

 

[Strider]

 

[jhughes3281]

For a couple of grand - would be a extremely fun project!

 

[RMP&O]

Be warned....

Takes a lot of work to make one of these nice. Most people get really frustrated by the lack of parts. If you plan to buy it you should be handy with a wrench and able to work on the truck yourself. Don't expect to be able to walk into an auto parts store and start buying parts for this truck, not going to happen. Now if you search Ebay Australia for G60 Patrol a lot will come up. That is your best parts source online. Some bearings and seals you can get in the US by referencing the number on the bearing/seal. Brakes in these trucks generally need work, for safety I strongly suggest upgrading to a duel circuit master cylinder. Engine parts can be had in the US if you use P40 parts. The engine in the Patrol is a P engine. However, the next gen is a P40 and lot's of parts interchange. P40 were put in forklifts here in the states so you can find parts.

Besides all this, they are a ton of fun. Nothing really beats driving a Patrol in summer with the top off, doors off and windshield folded!

If you have any questions just ask, I have 7 Patrols at my place right now, am restoring these trucks and have been into them for over 20yrs.

Cheers

 

[RMP&O]

Oh ya on engine swaps.

Only inline-6 or inline-4's will fit easily. Due to the firewall other engines like a v8 require modifying the firewall.

I think a 4BT would be perfect in these trucks. Behind that an NV4500 and an FJ60 Land Cruiser split t-case. You could keep the stock axles or go with FJ40 Land Cruiser axles, the FJ40 axles fit real nice. Only issue with a 4BT will be how tall it is alothough the stock P engine is pretty tall with a long stroke. Also weight but new front leaf springs will fix any issues there. As far as I know, nobody has swapped a 4BT into a Patrol but they are begging for one. I have seen v8's swapped into them as well as the v6 vortec. other engine swaps I have seen are diesels from Nissans (TD27), Toyota's and even a Perkins or two. But never a 4BT. I am currently swapping in a Nissan SD33T diesel in an old Patrol.

Oh and you asked what is it worth? Well the body looks pretty rust free. if it is not trashed, frame is good, ect ect...it is worth every bit of the $2-3k you mention. I predict, Patrols will be going up in price soon, way up. So grab the cheap ones while you can!

Cheers

 

[Strider]

Wow! Great information! Thanks!
Any more is also welcome!

Let's see if I can get my hands on at least one-maybe both!