should a buy a patrol ?

[smac]

should i sell my 1986 3.5EFI Range Rover which has done about 260k and get a Nissan GQ Patrol?
Are they as easy/light to drive as the Rangie?

If i bought a Petrol, would that be saying good bye to all my money on petrol, or should i try and find a diesel?

also, what Kms are getting too high on a patrol - ie, if i find a 320k 4.2diesel that is looked after - is that asking for a few probs or is that not a worry at all? i have seen a few 2.8turbo diesels for a good price (13k) with about 170-190kms on em - is that a good buy?

any thoughts,
thanks.

[toughnut]

You obviously are drawn to a patrol for a reason. You need to find out what that reason is. Patrol's have thier quirks just like anything else. The best thing about patrols is there are so many of them and it is easy to get a strong reliable vehicle out of them. You don't have to go somewhere in a group with the same vehicles just so you can carry all the spares required to make it home. Just kidding. Best bet is to get chummy with someone that has a patrol or goto a car yard and test drive one both on and off road. If the salesman doesn't like that idea then walk away and find someone who will. As for ease of driving I haven't driven a rangie so I can't compare but yes they are easy to drive and everything is tucked up underneath quite well. As far as k's you should look for something that has low 200k or better. Spend some time (as I'm sure you are) looking at the nissan forum and see what has gone wrong and right with patrols. I don't know how much you are willing to spend but if you can get a GU you will find that it has stronger diffs, more room under the guards and better functioning interior. With a GQ most people upgrade these things and find themselves spending the money they saved by getting the older model. I can't talk about the 2.8 as I haven't had experience with that engine. Try this link to patrol4x4.com http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/ It will give you much more info on patrols.

[smac]

thanks mate.
i think the first reasont hat i was drawn to the patrols is because they arent a landcruiser. sort of the 'underdog' thingo. But then looking into it, a GQ is a fair bit cheaper than a 80series LC.
i like the idea that the Patrols have the Barn doors at the back. also i like the idea of the GQ on haveing Coil springs. From what i have already read they have tough diffs/axles and gearboxes.
I have been a member of the patrol4x4 forum for a while. but as i dont actually have a patrol its a bit weird chattin on there.

im about 60% sure i will get a patrol in the next 6months. I wouldnt mind a 80series LC, but cost is a bit high.

[toughnut]

What level of 4wding will you be doing. If you get a front locker on the GQ then use it wisely. Don't load up your front diff too much or one of your CV's will self destruct. Other than that I'd put money on the fact that a patrol will go further than a landcriuser out of the box.

[tankekwee1972]

Patrol 4.2 diesel have been known to run up to 500,000 km or more before needing a rebuild (if looked after). A badly thrashed one might not see 200,000 kms. My advise is to check it out for yourself..... everything that is second hand carries with it a risk.

[smac]

What level of 4wding will you be doing. If you get a front locker on the GQ then use it wisely. Don't load up your front diff too much or one of your CV's will self destruct. Other than that I'd put money on the fact that a patrol will go further than a landcriuser out of the box.

its gonna do a bit of everything really. mainly shoppping trolley, but then do yhe long trips to whereeva and be the fun machine on weekends

[viperguy]

u cant go wrong with either truck. 80 cruiser or gq patrol. both heavy duty tuff trucks outta the box that will get u many places. front of cruiser maybe slighty more flexy but i thik the bullet proof running gear of the gq is better.

the main advantage ur gunna find in buying gq is the cash left in ur pocket. gq's are half price of 80's if not less. parts and knowledge is easy to find and wont cost u the earth. mods are simple. and what i have really noticed is any problems they have occur in nearly every gq, so if something does go wrong, u can bet ur lunch money its happened before and there is a simple remedy available..

[smac]

cool,
i have just writen out a list of expenses that will get my rangie up and running pretty well (hoping no more problems come along and including the buy price as bought 2years ago) and then written a list of buying a GQ and then doing a few little things to it and the patrol ends up being cheaper all up.

[Rainbow Warrior]

cool,
i have just writen out a list of expenses that will get my rangie up and running pretty well (hoping no more problems come along and including the buy price as bought 2years ago) and then written a list of buying a GQ and then doing a few little things to it and the patrol ends up being cheaper all up.

The Patrol with it's factory rear LSD will go nearly anywhere a Rangie with a locker goes. And they're bullet proof in suspension & running gear, you can throw it against a tough hill again and again, till you give up, dent something or make it to the top. Many others you have start expecting a breakage after the 3rd try. Mine has 350,000km on it.

And if you just fit a front locker, 35 Muddies and 5 inch lift, to a bog standard poverty pack there's not much they won't do, even the NA diesel. I'd avoid the 3litre petrol & 2.8 diesel as they have weaker clutches & gearboxes.

[TUFFRANGIE]

i like the idea that the Patrols have the Barn doors at the back

Apart from somewhere to put the spare tyre that isn't underneath or in the car the barn doors are shithouse-tailgate for me anyday!!!

[smac]

why is that?

i like the idea that you can get into the back of the 4b, instead of leaning over the tailgate to try and reach that stuff that is right up the back near the seats.

[toughnut]

I don't think the barn doors open up to 90degrees but that is an easy fix by moving the mounting point for the retaining guide

[bru21]

buy one - yes you should

[Suspension Stuff]

I have owned a 2.8L Turbo LWB Patrol and I think it was a great vehicle but they are very sluggish on take off. If you are going to take it on the sand then I think you will be very disapointed. They run a weaker gearbox, clutch etc than the 4.2L varieties but rarely have a problem.

I have also owned a SWB Patrol and I don't think either of these vehicles performs better offroad then a Rangie. If you want to keep legal than a Rangie has a better ground clearance and ramp over clearances by far. Also it is much more manouverable in shopping centres(SWB Patrols don't count because you can't fit your shopping in them ) and it is surprising what you can fit in a Rangie. If you do a search on Rangies and their weak axles, include Haultech in your search. If you plan to upgrade axles, I don't think it would work out dearer than a Patrol. You can pick up a decent Rangie with reconditioned EFI Engine and reconditioned ZF for $6000 easy. If you don't need to run huge tyres than thier is no need to upgrade axles so then you are way in front. Your spare tyre doesn't take up too much room in the back.

If you don't like Rangies get a GQ LWB Diesel.
Shane

[HeathGQ]

yeah I agree with all the comments so far. Both vehicles will suit your purpose. The 80's are a step above the GQ in comfort and build quality. Had I have been able to afford it, I would have went 80 or GU (for a bit more). Get a diesel, absolutely. For touring and off-road, they are better, but low on power. Can be fixed with a few $$ for turbo.

[smac]

You can pick up a decent Rangie with reconditioned EFI Engine and reconditioned ZF for $6000 easy.

i already have an 86 rangie - and its gonna cost a bucket load to get the efi system all up to scratch. but then also, i know that there are a bunch of other things that need doing to it as well that will cost a fair bit. so yeah, it might be good to get one that has already got all this, but i dont think i would sell my rangie to buy another rangie.
as ive said earlier, ive worked out all the stuff that is needed for the rangie and it will be cheaper to basically get somethin else and just get rid of a bunch of troubles.

[stool]

Try to find a 1997 GU 4.5 on gas for 20k

Heaps of Power and cheep to run and buy.

[smac]

my other Q is,
if i got a MQ/MK would removing the old 3.3diesel and installing a later model 2.8 or even 3litre turbo diesel be a viable option?

[tankekwee1972]

my other Q is,
if i got a MQ/MK would removing the old 3.3diesel and installing a later model 2.8 or even 3litre turbo diesel be a viable option?

Why would you want to do that?

[smac]

i heard/read that the 3.3 can be unreliable. or is that just 'hype'.

im guessing by your remark that its not a 'viable option' then.

[toughnut]

For buying an MQ/MK and doing the conversion you can get a later model coil sprung patrol.

[smac]

yeah true.

i think im gonna sit on the rangie for while, get a few things fixed on it and then just bide my time for at least 6months. if i find a good Gq at a good price then i might trade it in, but i might just hang onto the rangie and see how we go.

ill probably actually take it to another mechanic (a rover mechanic this time) for a quote and see what he says - see how different it is to the last quote i got for $1300.

[Rainbow Warrior]

i heard/read that the 3.3 can be unreliable. or is that just 'hype'.

im guessing by your remark that its not a 'viable option' then.

Nope nothing wrong with the 3.3 diesel, a bit sluggish but's not big and not new.
Though the idea of putting a late model motor in an MQ is silly, you then will want a coil spring conversion next. Migth as well start with an early poverty pack GQ then upgrade and swap everything to a late model later.

[shakes]

Go and drive one, a few even!!!! make sure you like how they drive. compared to the rangie you`ll lose a few of your gimicky interior bits but you gain alot of strength in the drive train.

The only real downside is you lose some of your vision over the bonnet in the patrol.

Chase up a diesel if you can, you get a few more K's per tank for your $$$

[thepatroldude]

Well Its not hard to tell what car I drive....N.I.S.S.A.N. I run dual fuel, and have also had a turbo diseal, both have different advantages, but atm love paying 39 or so cents for gas whilst diiseal is like $$$1.21. Patrols are tough rigs, drive hard and won't break on you unless your a ruthless driver, even then they take a beating.

You need to ask yourself what your wanting to do, touring, rocks, mud etc etc,there a good car/truck and plenty of mods that arn't expensive can be done!! Hope this helps!

[matty b]

also id agree with everything sai in this thread so far. i own a gq deisel with 344 on the clock. out it off a mates parents who have owned it fornine years from 80 000 clicks and its been well looked after and i have had no mechanical dramas whatsoever. ive modded it a bit and its true if your no nice to the cv's they will self destruct. and like thay all say 80's are an awsome rig but you really do pay for them and parts are the same to. expensive. ive built a reasonably capable gq diesel for 3000 less thena mate paid for a base model 93 model 80 diesel.

[smac]

my rangie is goin in tomorrow to an actual Rover Mechanic. So ill see what the verdict is.

i had a look at a couple of Patrols today in a couple of car yards.

1988 4.2Petrol 240kms and wants $6500 - this would be a good project car i reckon.
1990 4.2Petrol 190Kms, long range tank, air compresor, 7seater - $10,000
1989 4.2Petrol 230Kms absolutely base model $8800

it doesnt seem like there are many diesels around !!

[Rainbow Warrior]

my rangie is goin in tomorrow to an actual Rover Mechanic. So ill see what the verdict is.

i had a look at a couple of Patrols today in a couple of car yards.

1988 4.2Petrol 240kms and wants $6500 - this would be a good project car i reckon.
1990 4.2Petrol 190Kms, long range tank, air compresor, 7seater - $10,000
1989 4.2Petrol 230Kms absolutely base model $8800

it doesnt seem like there are many diesels around !!

When looking at the early models, some have disc brake rear end and some are drums, discs are the better option of course.
Other options are disconnecting rear swaybar release, flares, fast glass, front swaybar, split rear seat, front bench seat, carpet, some 88/89 models may not have an LSD rear.

[smac]

yeah, some of the early ones are pretty damb basic.
thats why im gonna bide my time for a while. that way might find a real nice one

[bilby]

yeah, some of the early ones are pretty damb basic.
thats why im gonna bide my time for a while. that way might find a real nice one

keep looking youll find one with heaps of extras pop up but they wont last long

mine was in the car yard for 5 hrs before i drove past and done a u turn and signed the paperwork on it

1990 LWB GQ 4.2 petrol
st , dual batt. , rear airlocker ( no switches or compressor ) extractors,
OME nitrochargers . shagged springs

WAS $ 10 999

new 2"lift springs and compressor for airlocker $ 1200 with fitting
getting outta a leaf sprung hi-lux into a coil sprung patrol

PRICELESS