wreckdiver1321
Overlander
That looks awesome.
RMP&Os 1977 Patrol Ute build for overlanding
- Thread starter RMP&O
- Start date
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Thanks for the input guys! The old Patrols have pretty small cabs. I am 5ft11" and 175lbs and much bigger than me and you will be cramped in the cab for sure. Can't lean the seat back as a regular cab too. So for a long while now I been thinking of the stretch. Gives some storage room behind the seats too.
Pretty simple to do really. Right behind the B pillar is flat steel besides the curve in the body line. That is where I would cut it. Roof difficult here to deal with as it slopes back. I was thinking the other night though when standing next to it that the cap can come off the roof. Needs to anyways since it is rotten all the way around. Cut the roof and stretch it more in the center as it would be easier to stretch it here, more of a uniform and even curve at this location. You can see Nissan used rectangle tube indies the cab. Doesn't get much easier than that for doing custom fab on the body.
Any ways, long ways out till body work but I think I am going to stretch the cab.
Cheers
Pretty simple to do really. Right behind the B pillar is flat steel besides the curve in the body line. That is where I would cut it. Roof difficult here to deal with as it slopes back. I was thinking the other night though when standing next to it that the cap can come off the roof. Needs to anyways since it is rotten all the way around. Cut the roof and stretch it more in the center as it would be easier to stretch it here, more of a uniform and even curve at this location. You can see Nissan used rectangle tube indies the cab. Doesn't get much easier than that for doing custom fab on the body.
Any ways, long ways out till body work but I think I am going to stretch the cab.
Cheers
If you're 5'11" and 175# and it feels small, then definitely stretch it ... for purely selfish reasons, I'm 6'3" and 180# ... I want to be able to drive it! (Gotta keep the dream alive, anyway!)
:elkgrin::snorkel::roost: ... hey, it's my birthday; a guy can dream, right?
Still say you ought to go for a flatbed like what Hackster did on his Cummins build ... starts in post #53 or so of his build thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...w-cab-first-gen-cummins?p=1212217#post1212217
I know it's not really in keeping with your modular idea, but it's one I've always liked the lines of. Ujoint's V4 bed is another one that was done pretty well, I've thought.
:elkgrin::snorkel::roost: ... hey, it's my birthday; a guy can dream, right?
Still say you ought to go for a flatbed like what Hackster did on his Cummins build ... starts in post #53 or so of his build thread: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...w-cab-first-gen-cummins?p=1212217#post1212217
I know it's not really in keeping with your modular idea, but it's one I've always liked the lines of. Ujoint's V4 bed is another one that was done pretty well, I've thought.
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
I like that but I don't see very many uses for it. Roll over protection and some room for camping gear.
I will definitely use a flatbed as my base. I am also thinking the rest of it will bolt on. I would like the bed to have sides that fold down with a rack of sorts above that. On the rack an RTT or other gear can be stored. Under the rack say drawers that slide out the fold down sides. Area for a fridge, things like this. Unbolt it, be able to use the bed. Maybe bed will slide out or maybe just unbolt. Thinking camping one weekend and the next weekend using the bed to haul lumber or whatever for projects around the house.
Cheers
I will definitely use a flatbed as my base. I am also thinking the rest of it will bolt on. I would like the bed to have sides that fold down with a rack of sorts above that. On the rack an RTT or other gear can be stored. Under the rack say drawers that slide out the fold down sides. Area for a fridge, things like this. Unbolt it, be able to use the bed. Maybe bed will slide out or maybe just unbolt. Thinking camping one weekend and the next weekend using the bed to haul lumber or whatever for projects around the house.
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Well ya know man, I will be totally honest. I am building this truck to sell. So a lot of what I am doing is thinking along the lines of the "cool" factor. When it is done I want it to strike you and make you say to yourself, hot damn that is cool! What is that!? When you hear it, I want you to say the same thing only x5!
I should add I am also building it for the fun of the project. As well as to learn many new things along the way. Whomever ends up with this truck in 5yrs or however long I sure hope they use it because I am building the truck to be used not just show off. Lot's of thought time in the shop recently letting ideas roll around in my head. One of which is who might use this truck and how. That is a big question so I think I am on a path with the truck to make it very multi-use. Cover as many angles and types of uses as I can. Overlanding being the main objective but that is a varied use. Could be just a weekend basher for somebody who likes to go camping. Could be a multi-country truck for a couple. Could be a recovery vehicle, especially if I get the rear PTO winch on it. Could be a support vehicle for any different types of uses from races to a tour company to an overland type expedition or could even be used for work on the farm/ranch during the week and camping on the weekend. Maybe even a surfers truck for jaunts down to Baja all the time? Those are the kinds of ideas I am playing with in terms of the build and where it goes and how the truck would be used when finished. It could even be used to just show off or promote a company but I would rather it ended up being used. One thing it will not be is original!
I don't want to limit myself as to who may buy it by a small cab. Hence why I want to stretch it. Also personal experience with these trucks tells me they need more leg room and a reg cab needs room inside the cab for gear, ie behind the seats. Same line of thinking with the bed, don't want to limit it with a weld on roll cage. A permanent flat bed though does provide a good platform to build off of. I am even thinking of doing hoops over the bed and canvas for that super cool outback look. Got a lot of ideas rolling around in my head in terms of bed and not letting it limit the truck or ways it can be used.
Cheers
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RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Been digging out all kinds of goodies from my stash. Bit of gold here, rear PTO box from a Nissan Fire Patrol. This would have likely ran the pump on the truck but it can run all kinds of things, even a hydraulic pump for on-board hydraulics like a Unimog has. I got this from Colombia, South America about 5 or 6yrs ago. It is in really good condition, doesn't even need bearings/seals. Very rare as this only came on Fire trucks.
The shifter did not come with the PTO box. I got lucky and was able to order it from Japan with the right part #. It and the knob are NOS.
Test fit to the back of the 160 Patrol t-case.
These are nice and strong t-cases as you can see. Similar to a FJ60/62 split t-case. This t-case was rebuilt less than 1,000 miles ago. It looks excellent inside, not a single chip on any gears, shafts or synchro hubs/gears. I need a special main gear which can be seen top right hand corner in front of the PTO box. I have put an inquiry into Japan, it is coming up as available. If I can get it I am buying it. If not I will figure something else out as I want to now use the rear PTO box!
I forgot I have two front PTO boxes. So I guess I have an extra for spare parts. One of the PTO winches I have is ready to go, fully rebuilt with Masterpull synthetic rope on it. The other needs a full rebuild. I was pretty stoked when I test fit the rear PTO box and it fit perfect. I had never test fit it and was not 100% sure it was for the 160-series Patrol, it could have been for the older gen Patrol aka the G60. After some quick measurements it looks like the rear PTO shifter will be right between the seats, perfect. Anyways, at this point 99% sure I am doing front and rear PTO winches on the Ute!
Cheers
The shifter did not come with the PTO box. I got lucky and was able to order it from Japan with the right part #. It and the knob are NOS.
Test fit to the back of the 160 Patrol t-case.
These are nice and strong t-cases as you can see. Similar to a FJ60/62 split t-case. This t-case was rebuilt less than 1,000 miles ago. It looks excellent inside, not a single chip on any gears, shafts or synchro hubs/gears. I need a special main gear which can be seen top right hand corner in front of the PTO box. I have put an inquiry into Japan, it is coming up as available. If I can get it I am buying it. If not I will figure something else out as I want to now use the rear PTO box!
I forgot I have two front PTO boxes. So I guess I have an extra for spare parts. One of the PTO winches I have is ready to go, fully rebuilt with Masterpull synthetic rope on it. The other needs a full rebuild. I was pretty stoked when I test fit the rear PTO box and it fit perfect. I had never test fit it and was not 100% sure it was for the 160-series Patrol, it could have been for the older gen Patrol aka the G60. After some quick measurements it looks like the rear PTO shifter will be right between the seats, perfect. Anyways, at this point 99% sure I am doing front and rear PTO winches on the Ute!
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Thanks, I think so too. What's cool is actually getting around to using items like this that been in the stash for many years. I think I got the rear PTO box in 2009. I was down in Colombia and my buddy down there says, hey I bought this and don't want it, do you want it? I was like hell ya, not even knowing if it was for G60 Patrols or 160 Patrols. I didn't pay very much for it. I just threw it in in a box and put it on a shelf. Never test fit it or even checked it out much. Dug it out recently and am very stoked it bolts right up to the Ute's 5spd. Also looking like shifter will sit perfectly between the seats. Any ways, very cool to me to have not only got my hands on an item like this but to now be using it. I have had a lot of stash items bought many years ago finally getting used. That makes me happy.
Cheers
Front and rear winches are very cool... front and rear PTO winches are super-cool, but using a PTO from a Nissan Fire Patrol...? Yes, that qualifies as Mega-cool
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Alrighty, I was able to locate the new gear for the t-case in order to run the PTO. The rear PTO has a hub or synchro type sleeve that when the PTO is shifted slides over the gear in the t-case to run the rear PTO. I got two 160 Patrol t-cases here and neither has the right gear in it. Seems to me they only put the gear for running a rear PTO on truck with a rear PTO. That would be Nissan Fire Patrols, aka fire trucks. Well, I have all the parts books so searched Amayama for the gear I need. Sure enough it comes up as available. Thing is you never know until you try to buy it. I bought it and it is on it's way from Japan! OEM/NOS none the less! I feel super lucky t have got my hands on this gear. Without it, custom fab be the only way to make this happen.
I also purchased a brand new OEM master vac for the brakes. This is also for a 160 Patrol. I will be running a 160 Patrol master cylinder and master vac, both brand new. Brakes on the truck are disc at all four. New pads already on there and I purchased a few caliper rebuild kits last fall. So I think as far as brakes go I am just about there with all parts in hand of soon to be in hand.
The rear axle disc brake conversion was done a long time ago, back in 2008. I can't get a Patrol offset H233 rear axle here in the USA. So at that time I had it set up in Australia and then shipped over to me. It got rebuilt, regeared to 4.6, ARB locker fitted and the disc brake conversion done. The builder used Holden (Chevy) rear brakes for the conversion. I got a bunch of 80 series rotors and calipers here. Looks to me so far like the 80 Cruiser rear disc stuff will work on the Patrol rear axle no probs. If it does, I may switch the rear brakes on over to 80 series Cruiser parts.
Cheers
I also purchased a brand new OEM master vac for the brakes. This is also for a 160 Patrol. I will be running a 160 Patrol master cylinder and master vac, both brand new. Brakes on the truck are disc at all four. New pads already on there and I purchased a few caliper rebuild kits last fall. So I think as far as brakes go I am just about there with all parts in hand of soon to be in hand.
The rear axle disc brake conversion was done a long time ago, back in 2008. I can't get a Patrol offset H233 rear axle here in the USA. So at that time I had it set up in Australia and then shipped over to me. It got rebuilt, regeared to 4.6, ARB locker fitted and the disc brake conversion done. The builder used Holden (Chevy) rear brakes for the conversion. I got a bunch of 80 series rotors and calipers here. Looks to me so far like the 80 Cruiser rear disc stuff will work on the Patrol rear axle no probs. If it does, I may switch the rear brakes on over to 80 series Cruiser parts.
Cheers
RMP&O
Expedition Leader
Injection pump fully rebuilt now using OEM parts straight from Japan! As stated earlier in the thread, I was quoted $3k for the IP plus more for the turbo and injectors. Happy day when they called me up and the grand total was $1650! IP, turbo and injectors now back at the machine shop. Exhaust manifold getting ceramic coated. Going blue on the engine for paint. Doing new high pressure fuel lines from IP to injectors, all OEM.
Just received today the gear I need for inside the t-case to run the rear PTO box. Also got a few t-case gaskets, 5spd shifter knob and a brand new master vac. All OEM stuff from Japan.
Getting closer!
BTW, I absolutely love that I can get parts for this project! It is even better that they are Nissan parts from Japan that come in boxes covered in Japanese writing.
Cheers
Just received today the gear I need for inside the t-case to run the rear PTO box. Also got a few t-case gaskets, 5spd shifter knob and a brand new master vac. All OEM stuff from Japan.
Getting closer!
BTW, I absolutely love that I can get parts for this project! It is even better that they are Nissan parts from Japan that come in boxes covered in Japanese writing.
Cheers
Hi, I am from Colombia, named for you as "Patrol country", i live in Cartagena where you took that picture. It was taken in front of San Felipe Castle. Here, there are many Patrol working as "taxis". I own a Nissan Patrol from 1982, but it is a "family car". It you have the oportunity to visit Cartagena, please contact to me.
Cheers,
GUSTAVO
Cheers,
GUSTAVO