Project G60 Patrol

Post by **Swerve** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:09 pm

Hi All,

Looking at starting a project in restoring a G60 patrol.

Before I start and buy the shell, am I better off doing a different car (landRover, FJ40) or stick with my Nissan theme.

If I do go ahead what are the major problems I'm likley to face.

Thanks

Steve

Post by **bogged** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:32 pm

what does it need?

what price is it?

what do you see more of in wreckers around your area?

What do you intend to do with it once restored?

Post by **chimpboy** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:54 pm

I'd probably be looking for a good G60 shell and chassis, and not restoring the running gear so much as just putting in new running gear - eg. a modern motor and auto, landrover transfer case, GQ or MQ diffs (or retaining existing diffs)...

Dunno. They are kind of cool, not very common though and that's why I'd be hesitant about trying to restore one while staying mechanically stock.

Post by **bogged** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 2:55 pm

chimpboy wrote:I'd probably be looking for a good G60 shell and chassis, and not restoring the running gear so much as just putting in new running gear - eg. a modern motor and auto, landrover transfer case, GQ or MQ diffs (or retaining existing diffs)...

Dunno. They are kind of cool, not very common though and that's why I'd be hesitant about trying to restore one while staying mechanically stock.

apparently 2.8 GU donk is a good fit for the G60..

Post by **chimpboy** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:02 pm

bogged wrote:
chimpboy wrote:I'd probably be looking for a good G60 shell and chassis, and not restoring the running gear so much as just putting in new running gear - eg. a modern motor and auto, landrover transfer case, GQ or MQ diffs (or retaining existing diffs)...

Dunno. They are kind of cool, not very common though and that's why I'd be hesitant about trying to restore one while staying mechanically stock.
apparently 2.8 GU donk is a good fit for the G60..

I was thinking maybe a dual fuel falcon wreck from the auction, a nice torquey six cylinder that's cheap, or else the buick 3.8 from a commodore, also common, durable and cheap, plus the four speed auto that comes with the motor.

Dunno! Anyway at least it's not another boring 40...

Post by **Swerve** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:07 pm

Looking at spending $500 for the shell which needs a little work to get going (Brakes)

Once going will then probaly swap to early MQ discs which bolts up. Then try and keep as stock as possible then possible seperate shell and chassis and repaint (At home).

Where something needs replacing will try and opt for stock, but depending on available parts will look at MQ or GQ parts.

I want the car for its retro value and toy factor, I wil take it offroad, but within its capabilities of being an old car and maybe not always reliable. Also good for dog slobber and hair, just hose out.

Steve

Post by **Swerve** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:09 pm

Swerve wrote:Looking at spending $500 for the shell which needs a little work to get going (Brakes)

Once going will then probaly swap to early MQ discs which bolts up. Then try and keep as stock as possible then possible seperate shell and chassis and repaint (At home).

Where something needs replacing will try and opt for stock, but depending on available parts will look at MQ or GQ parts.

I want the car for its retro value and toy factor, I wil take it offroad, but within its capabilities of being an old car and maybe not always reliable. Also good for dog slobber and hair, just hose out.

Steve

Also reading in OL it might be possible to put the G60 shell on a GQ chassis ? This is also worth looking at !!

Post by **Wendle** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 3:35 pm

do it. they are the coolest trucks in the world.
just use the shell and chassis so it is still a G60 as far as RTA is concerned (less ADR's to deal with) and build into it whatever gear you want to run.

Post by **Eddy** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 7:43 pm

DO it!
The G60, even in stock form is a very capable off road weapon, and even when new, Magazine test drivers found that they were a match for the Toy 40s, even with the handicap of the three speed box.
You won't find any hassles that you wouldn't get in another oldie anyway, and there are a few forums where you can get plenty of help.

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... ly&t=72326

http://rockymountianpatrol.netfirms.com/phpbb/nfphpbb/

Most common body problem are the rear panels ... almost all are stuffed, but fairly straight forward repair as they are basically square, so easily reproduced.
Best replacement engine is the Ford six, either adapted to the 3 speeder, or on a Ford tranny adapted to the Transfer case.

Post by **Swerve** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:48 pm

Thanks guys,

Spoke to my 60 year old mechanic mate who put me off the idea yesterday, but had never worked on one.

But after more reading and your support it will be a go ! I geuss the wife will get the GU and me the G60. I also have to finish my replica lotus7 (Westfield) in the garage.

Steve

Post by **chimpboy** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 8:52 pm

I am almost scared to ask, but does anyone know what the wheelbase is of the SWB and MWB G60s? And was there an LWB?

And I know what wheelbase is and I don't want to drive through any layers of gravity, okay?

Post by **Beastmavster** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:39 pm

Where's R&PO when we need him.

I thought he'd put most of this in the G60 bible....

Post by **Swerve** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:46 pm

chimpboy wrote:I am almost scared to ask, but does anyone know what the wheelbase is of the SWB and MWB G60s? And was there an LWB?

And I know what wheelbase is and I don't want to drive through any layers of gravity, okay?

I have been going through the Rocky Mountain website and there are LWB models. The LWB is 110". The MWD and SWB ?

Steve

http://rockymountianpatrol.netfirms.com ... elbase+110

Post by **chimpboy** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:40 pm

Looks like the SWB is 88 or 86" (depends who you ask) and the MWB is 100"

What are the specs, price, condition etc of the one you're looking at?

I have been thinking for a while of starting a project MQ, but when you posted this thread it made me think - if you're going for a leaf sprung old 4WD, why not go the whole hog and get a cheap G60? They are great looking old rigs, known for their toughness. With a better gearbox they should be the equal of any other leafsprung fourbies off-road...

Post by **bogged** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 11:43 pm

chimpboy wrote:I have been thinking for a while of starting a project MQ,...

You are bidding on a 1986 MQ Nissan Patrol SWB fitted with Chev 350 V8.

The Chev 350 was installed in August 1996 by Marks 4WD Adapters in Dandenong and comes with an engineers certificate. It is rated at approx 200 KW @ 5000 RPM and has done approx 90000 km since installation. Engine also has LPG conversion kit and airconditioning. Engine is in good condition but does have a couple of minor oil leaks. Has lots of grunt.

This vehicle will suit restoration or for conversion or restoration of another vehicle. The gearbox is stuffed hence the reason I am selling it. Plus my wife won't get in it so we are upgrading to a crew cab. The transfer case is in good condition but does have a minor leak where it matches to the gearbox. Rest of running gear is in good condition. Front wheel bearings have just been done and the brake system has been overhauled.

The bad news is that it does have rust. There is rust in the doors, bottom sills, firewall, floor and wheel arches. The rear fibreglass cannopy is in good condition but does need new window frames as they are also rusted. The cannopy has rola roof racks which are in good condition. Good strong bullbar and spare wheel carrier with jerry tank holder. Tow bar. Inside is in fair condition. Has sports steering wheel which makes turning easier. power steering and airconditioning. Has sunraysia wheels but needs new tyres.

I have had vehicle since 2000 and have used it mainly for off road use. I have just cancelled the rego. This vehicle was unstoppable in the bush.

RWC will not be supplied. Vehicle can be viewed in Neerim South, Victoria.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Nissan-Patrol-SW ... dZViewItem

Post by **Wendle** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 7:31 am

Swerve wrote:
chimpboy wrote:I am almost scared to ask, but does anyone know what the wheelbase is of the SWB and MWB G60s? And was there an LWB?

And I know what wheelbase is and I don't want to drive through any layers of gravity, okay?
I have been going through the Rocky Mountain website and there are LWB models. The LWB is 110". The MWD and SWB ?

Steve

http://rockymountianpatrol.netfirms.com ... elbase+110

Short = 2200mm

Mid = 2500mm

Post by **RMP&O** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:30 pm

Beastmavster wrote:Where's R&PO when we need him.

I thought he'd put most of this in the G60 bible....

Ya sorry...don't hit this site everyday. And i'm on the other side of the planet.

Looks like you guys figured it out anyways. I like the Utes, LWB wagons (rare as hell) and the G61's. The LWB's though are a 110" wheel base so some may rather have the MWB Patrols. You got a lot of Utes in OZ but watch for rot in the roof. Most of your 60 series Patrols have the H260 rear diff, it's big and you can tell it is the H260 easy. Also the truck will have an "H" in the vin # showing it is a heavy duty model, aka H260 rear diff. This diff will take an ARB air locker if you get a custom thrust block made. You can SoA G60's pretty damn easy and it is basically just like doing an MQ/MK. Disc brakes from the early MQ's will bolt up. I have seen custom done up rear discs too. MQ power steering is also a snap. Stock diffs are 4.10. The 3spd sucks but there are ways around it, including plenty of 2nd hand Marks 5spds in OZ. Not really sure if you want a stocker restored truck or a modded up old classic trail rig.

The G61's are best because it is the G60 body sitting on an MQ chassis. Well kind of anyways...the frame is G60 and so is the body but the motor/power train is MQ. In paticular P40 MQ and 4spd tranny plus C200 diffs with the H260 MQ diff being super duper rare. These were sold in OZ but not many as far as I know. They were available from 1980-1984 and were marketed as compition for the late production FJ40's. G61's are drum up front and no power steering but easy to fit using MQ stuff, bolt on easy. Upgrading to an MQ 5spd would be about the same as doing it in an MQ. Coolest of the 24year run the 60 series Patrol had but you will have trouble find one.

It's true the old Patrol is a bomber truck. Every single write I ever saw on them in many magazine worldwide always praised the trucks alot. They just never got the support FJ's did so they are dieing off, ie parts hard to get. You can read up on the old 60 series Patrol plenty in the literature section of my website. Just save pictures and blow them up to read.

Post by **grimbo** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:36 pm

a mate of mine had a G60 ute with a Crossflow falcon engine in it. Went great with no probalems etc. he picked it up for about $1500 , spent nothing on it and sold a couple of years later. Wish i had bought it

Post by **Swerve** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:15 pm

RMP&O wrote:
Beastmavster wrote:Where's R&PO when we need him.

I thought he'd put most of this in the G60 bible....
Ya sorry...don't hit this site everyday. And i'm on the other side of the planet.

Looks like you guys figured it out anyways. I like the Utes, LWB wagons (rare as hell) and the G61's. The LWB's though are a 110" wheel base so some may rather have the MWB Patrols. You got a lot of Utes in OZ but watch for rot in the roof. Most of your 60 series Patrols have the H260 rear diff, it's big and you can tell it is the H260 easy. Also the truck will have an "H" in the vin # showing it is a heavy duty model, aka H260 rear diff. This diff will take an ARB air locker if you get a custom thrust block made. You can SoA G60's pretty damn easy and it is basically just like doing an MQ/MK. Disc brakes from the early MQ's will bolt up. I have seen custom done up rear discs too. MQ power steering is also a snap. Stock diffs are 4.10. The 3spd sucks but there are ways around it, including plenty of 2nd hand Marks 5spds in OZ. Not really sure if you want a stocker restored truck or a modded up old classic trail rig.

The G61's are best because it is the G60 body sitting on an MQ chassis. Well kind of anyways...the frame is G60 and so is the body but the motor/power train is MQ. In paticular P40 MQ and 4spd tranny plus C200 diffs with the H260 MQ diff being super duper rare. These were sold in OZ but not many as far as I know. They were available from 1980-1984 and were marketed as compition for the late production FJ40's. G61's are drum up front and no power steering but easy to fit using MQ stuff, bolt on easy. Upgrading to an MQ 5spd would be about the same as doing it in an MQ. Coolest of the 24year run the 60 series Patrol had but you will have trouble find one.

It's true the old Patrol is a bomber truck. Every single write I ever saw on them in many magazine worldwide always praised the trucks alot. They just never got the support FJ's did so they are dieing off, ie parts hard to get. You can read up on the old 60 series Patrol plenty in the literature section of my website. Just save pictures and blow them up to read.

RMP&O,

Thanks for your lengthy post and information. Have spent about 6 hours reading through your website this week and still alot more info to go through.

I will be going ahead with the G60 project and plan to keep original as possible untill parts need replacing. When the time comes will try and source original or go MQ etc. Things like brakes will be changed to MQ discs as first priority.

Thanks

Steve

PS- registered on http://rockymountianpatrol.netfirms.com as Swerve

Post by **Swerve** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:34 pm

I now have my new G60 !

Post by **bogged** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:36 pm

how much?

Post by **RMP&O** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:51 am

pretty clean looking unmolested orginal truck.

Congrats!

Post by **Wendle** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:51 am

Swerve wrote:I now have my new G60 !

rofl.. you outbid my girfriend on that last night. in the last 5 seconds or so..

$405. nice work.

Post by **Swerve** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:42 am

Wendle wrote:
Swerve wrote:I now have my new G60 !
rofl.. you outbid my girfriend on that last night. in the last 5 seconds or so..

$405. nice work.

Sorry Wendle,

I noticed you upped your 1st bid about 1hr before auction end. Yes, I waited till the last 5 seconds to bid to prevent bidding wars raising price.

Good luck in findin another G60 ! There was a good lookin G60 in Brisbane for $800 on tradingpost.com.au however the people didnt return my calls. worth chaing though

Steve

Post by **Beastmavster** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 7:37 pm

Nice. A middie too it looks. Best of the lot.

Whats the plans? 351 V8 and 4 speed toploader? Falcon EB-ED Dual fuel 4 litre?

Post by **Fathillbilly** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:03 pm

if you want a hard top with a "sun roof" i have a spare this includes sides and rear door, i also have a bonnet grill and doors, a few motor parts but not many

Stu

Post by **chimpboy** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:35 pm

barnsey wrote:
Beastmavster wrote:Nice. A middie too it looks. Best of the lot.

Whats the plans? 351 V8 and 4 speed toploader? Falcon EB-ED Dual fuel 4 litre?
I reckon stock with a few upgrades for saftey, like brakes would be cool.

Under rated 4bys I reckon

The problem with keeping the drivetrain stock is that they came from the factory with a three-speed, non-synchro gearbox that has a first gear ratio of only 2.9:1. This would drive anyone nuts very quickly imho, and the first gear is simply too tall for a 4WD, even allowing that the P motor is quite torquey down low.

Other than that I agree, they are underrated fourbies. But seriously, could you ever get used to a three speed manual without synchro?

Jason

Post by **dwaynes** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:12 pm

for those looking

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Nissan-Patrol-19 ... dZViewItem

Post by **RMP&O** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:05 am

chimpboy wrote:
barnsey wrote:
Beastmavster wrote:Nice. A middie too it looks. Best of the lot.

Whats the plans? 351 V8 and 4 speed toploader? Falcon EB-ED Dual fuel 4 litre?
I reckon stock with a few upgrades for saftey, like brakes would be cool.

Under rated 4bys I reckon
The problem with keeping the drivetrain stock is that they came from the factory with a three-speed, non-synchro gearbox that has a first gear ratio of only 2.9:1. This would drive anyone nuts very quickly imho, and the first gear is simply too tall for a 4WD, even allowing that the P motor is quite torquey down low.

Other than that I agree, they are underrated fourbies. But seriously, could you ever get used to a three speed manual without synchro?

Jason

The 3spd only lacks synchro on 1st gear, 2nd ^ 3rd are synchro'ed. But yes I agree...the 3spd is the low point of these trucks.

Oh, and that black one on ebay is hella ugly. But if the seller thinks that is rust in the rear he must be on drugs!

The rear is where these trucks are prone to rust, the black one looks pretty rust free. I have had Patrols with holes in the back the size of dinner plates.

Post by **RMP&O** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:11 am

also.....

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/t3798-tr ... ortly.html

^5spd box, locked H260 rear...ect.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 183171.htm

^something different, rare and unique.

Odd but...60 series Patrols are hella rare in the USA, only 2613 sold here between 1961-1969. For some reason though there is almost always a few for sale on ebay over here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissan-N ... 9350QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissan-O ... 0525QQrdZ1

Including a nice LWB G60 offered to USA buyers but found in OZ.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissan-G ... 2189QQrdZ1

Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Project G60 Patrol

Project G60 Patrol

Re: Possible Project G60 Patrol

Who is online