Are Nissan body to roof pillars more prone to cracking?

[nigeljarvis]

Before I start; this post is for a nominally biased Toyota friend of mine who's considering buying either a Nissan Patrol GQ or GU or a Nissan Navara (diesels in each case).

We've both heard that the Nissan drivelines are "unbreakable" and I've heard that the build quality of Nissan's are better than their previous reputation (eg. their bodies are more solid than Toyota's - read that in an old 4wd monthly mag).

HOWEVER, my father on two separate trips (one to rural Queensland and the other to Whitecliffs or Whitfield or something - rural NSW) was told the same negative anecdote by two independant four wheel drivers (who both drove Toyotas):

"Ah, don't get one of those Nissans, mate! When they come in from the bush they're all cracked around the tops of the pillars."

Thinking that this was a little to coincidental to be mere Toyota bias I thought I'd check it out on this forum to see what you all have to say.

Anyway, your honest answers, experience and expertise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance, Nigel

P.S. I drive a Rangie, but prefer Nissan's to Toyota's since they went independant. I only wish Nissan made a troopcarrier type 4wd like Toyota and Landrover - with a big diesel and rigid axle, coil sprung susp. and big tyres as standard. Keep staying true and rigid, Nissan!!!

[bogged]

depends how many tons people put in roofracks.

some people carry far too much, then complain when the car spits the dummy.

Saying that, they have had a few go. Check my URL for a check list of shit to look for on GQ.s

GQ will shit on a Navara offroad.

[bazzle]

I see lots of 4bys every day. Seen many Toys cracked. Never seen a broken Nissan. (pillars to roof)

bazzle

[Cheezy4x4]

I second Bazzle.

[Mark2]

I've heard somewhere that the GQ turret structure is rated to carry more load than a Toyota. That maybe why you tend to see a lot of car topper boats on GQ's. (Usually towing a van as well)

80 Series cruisers used on corrugations commonly crack the C piller at the bottom of the glassline. (Visible when opening the rear doors)
I've seen major cracking in the chassis of leaf sprung landcruisers, but also seen a GQ chassis crack around the steering box.

Having said that, my GQ has done a lot of corrugated road work, usually with a roof rack. The rear door has cracked as well as the rear side doors and the passenger side floor pan. The roof pillars are fine as is the chassis.

Bottom line is, everything is going to crack eventually. Corrugations = metal fatigue.

[battle wagon]

ive rolled my gq on its side 3 times and its f***en bent but no crackes.

[Snatchy]

I've seen major cracking in the chassis of leaf sprung landcruisers, but also seen a GQ chassis crack around the steering box.

Chassis crack on early GQ near the steering box was the subject of a recall

[embryo]

[quote="bogged"]depends how many tons people put in roofracks.

some people carry far too much, then complain when the car spits the dummy.

me and a mate did the simpson last year, had a roof rack with 8 legs and it bent the sh** out of his gutters to the point that we couldnt open the door to get the beer out of the fridge ,
We had 2 swags a spare 32" muddy on a rim and 60ltrs of diesel in jerrys (wont do that again!) but it didnt crack at the pillar. so with a roof rack make sure its a full guttermount.
The the window frames (if you dont have toyota style quater windows in the front) crack at the base becase the area is to large unsupported and the windows rattle more when window is not wound all the way up or down

[Woop]

I think that part of the recall for chassis cracking around the steering box, was an extra bracket bolted to the panard rod bracket to prevent flexing..

Nick

[kamote09]

hello,

Was planning to have a custom roof rack with 8-10 legs on my LWB MK...I was wondering...would anyone know the load limit of the gutters? any idea at all?

I've heard that defender 110's have a ton load limit? does an MK's come close to this figure?

TIA