80 Series Vs Patrol (Off Road Ability only)

[Suspension Stuff]

I know how good Patrols are in the bush and I know the 80 series are good also.

If similar mods are made to an 80 series and a GQ and they both have lockers (So no limited slip diffs) will the GQ be able to go further on the trails in comparison to the 80 series. Lets say they both have 3 inch lifts and same 33 inch tyres.

I know the GQ has a stronger driveline so it is not part of the Q.

Just Curious
Shane


EDIT

So far,
Toyota has better diff clearences
More suspension Flex
Gets hung up on rear trailing arms
Body is heavier and more top heavy
better turning circle
Nicer to drive on road(For most)
Generally dearer to buy but price coming down
More cargo area once rear seats removed.
Can fit 33 inch tyres easier under guards.

Nissan has stronger diffs and drivetrain
Underneath tucked up better in general
Poor Turning Circle(LWB)
On corrugations the Nissan rattles to death ealier then the 80 series.
Better centre of gravity.
generally cheaper to buy
Not as modern looking.( GQ )

[sniper]

80 series easily...why?

Because this is a nissan thread

[ludacris]

[quote="4WD Stuff"]
I know the GQ has a stronger driveline so it is not part of the Q.[/quote]

Was it hard to admit that the Patrols are tougher.

LudaCris

[Suspension Stuff]

Was it hard to admit that the Patrols are tougher.

No, I am a realist and I like the GQ's.
Horses for Courses, but I am not convinced that the GQ is more capable then the 80 series after following an 80 series up the upper creek run at Ormeau and other places.

When you are in your capable GQ on an easy hill climb at Ormeau stuck on your diffs you start to think.

But I have never wheeled an 80 series myself and I have a deposit on one so what do you do while waiting for it. Start threads.

Some examples would be beneficial.

Cheers
Shane

[BigMav]

I hate to admit it but I think the suspension would flex a little better on the 80 but not by much! Other than that they aren't much different in ability especially if both had lockers. I would have looked at cruisers when I bought mine but couldn't justify the extra $$$

[pongo]

i reckon a good driver in any 4wd would out drive a decent 80 or GQ with a shit driver.

Maybe you should have done your research first b4 comparing toys and pootrols


Cheers

[YankeeDave]

so they may be similar in capability (locked and lifted), wouldnt you just go with reliablity.

GQ all the way then. 80 series owners have been know to go with patrol running gear, but i've never heard of a patrol owner puting anything toyota on his truck

[currentlyoffline]

GQ all the way then. 80 series owners have been know to go with patrol running gear, but i've never heard of a patrol owner puting anything toyota on his truck

Except maybe a sticker that says, " TOYOTA Recovery Point " here

[harvey]

curious thread this. i would've thought that on the one hand a 80s would have the advantage as it's got more flex in the front but on the other hand the patrol makes up for it with more flex in the rear.

making the assumption that reliablity isn't an issue then i'd say an 80 series. this would be because like for like it's ramp over angle is better courtesy of its shorter wheelbase and smaller turning circle [every little helps]. so if i were a hardened 4x4er i'd go landcruiser.

For a tourer i'd go Patrol. Given it's more square dimensions i'm told by touring companies that the biggest drawback on a 80s is the fact that it's more car like/modern design inside does limit the overall capacity of packing everything in within the cabin. So for that reason i've bought a patrol

on another item... the bodys of the 80s are not as strong as a good 60s like for like and the patrol is stronger again [apparently] so if you're a tourer who needs to place a heafty load on the roof the patrol is a better bet.

so the winner is.... dead heat. swings and roundabouts. a good deal and either one would serve you well.

[Beastmavster]

Definately Toy has more front flex, Patrol More rear flex. Overall difference SFA.

With no lockers the Patrol wins easy, cos the LSD difference.


I think on same tyres the Patrol diffs are probably a little bigger so more clearance to the toy.

Driveline strength the Patrol wins hands down.

Overall 2/3 of 3/5 of you know waht. a half inch difference in line would be the difference between either getting bogged int he same terrain.

But the toyotas are a more souless, characterless, feedbackless piece of crap. I should know, I've owned enough toyotas to swear I'll never buy one again.



Plus of course, I'd rather get the strap out a little more often than replace a diff........

Recovery is part of the fun, replacing 200 kilos of parts is never fun.

[Lawrence]

Curiously enough, the gq has better rampover than the 80. In a comparison with other 4bys the gq has better rampover than most (30 degrees), except for newest defender, despite its long wheelbase. it also has approach angle (42) , probably only beaten by the defender and the Scout. The shorty's rampover is a bit higher (32), and the ute (31)

[Lawrence]

Also patrol has bigger (stronger?) diiffs, Here Patrols have a reputattion for toughness. Been in Haiti a while, and patrols and landcriisers are there in equal mounts, But gq outnumber 80 series (probably affordability). Just diriving in the city (off the main road) is hard goin . Up to a few years ago, even the police force primarily drove gqs. Back in Jamaica, had a friend who left a gq ute parked for 2 years. Hadnt been driven in about 5 years. Decided to sell and buyer just put in a battery and started and drove away.

[Wendle]

i think the weight distribution of the patrol is a lot more centred. this works in it's favour, as does the belly profile, which is much flatter than the 80 series in stock trim.
the 80 series is a much nicer "car" though.

[bogged]

Way too much of a how long is a piece of string question. How many dozen variables do you want to take into account?

They are both capable trucks, both have advantages/disadvantages over the other.

Having said that the differences are negligible, and both with same driver same mods will get to the same places, thats if the yota diffs hold out

I'll use the example used in every other thread on this place, how many GQ's are in comps? And why do you think that is?

More used accessories for GQs, (not that it should matter to you), more panels, parts, aftermarket/custom bits available for GQ's so doing up a truck can be cheaper that way.

Buying either you will be happy.

[Simo63]

curious thread this. i would've thought that on the one hand a 80s would have the advantage as it's got more flex in the front but on the other hand the patrol makes up for it with more flex in the rear.

making the assumption that reliablity isn't an issue then i'd say an 80 series. this would be because like for like it's ramp over angle is better courtesy of its shorter wheelbase and smaller turning circle [every little helps]. so if i were a hardened 4x4er i'd go landcruiser.

For a tourer i'd go Patrol. Given it's more square dimensions i'm told by touring companies that the biggest drawback on a 80s is the fact that it's more car like/modern design inside does limit the overall capacity of packing everything in within the cabin. So for that reason i've bought a patrol

on another item... the bodys of the 80s are not as strong as a good 60s like for like and the patrol is stronger again [apparently] so if you're a tourer who needs to place a heafty load on the roof the patrol is a better bet.

so the winner is.... dead heat. swings and roundabouts. a good deal and either one would serve you well.

Gee Harvey I am sorry but I have to disagree with a couple of points you have made here .. not in relation to the better wheeler but more in relation to the bodies and dimensions. I've owned both a couple of 80 series and a couple of GQ's .. most of them I have purchased damaged and repaired. One of each required a new shell (back in the days when they were worth enough to reshell).

The 80 Series body is far far stronger than the thin tin GQ body. And way better designed and put together. The GQ body shell is merely an updated MQ .. a design that dates back to the late 70's whereas the Cruiser is a far more modern and structurally far superior shell design.

And the other point I beliueve you are mistaken on, but you can be forgiven for this as you stated you were relying on another's advice, is that the 80 is small in the cargo area ... wrong again. I've got a 70 litre explorer fridge with the seperate freezer compartment, which is a big fridge, and whilst it fits in the back of the cruiser no problems, It can only just fits in the back of the GQ. Having had both I can verify that you can get more into the back of an 80 than you can a GQ.

Either point isn't really what Shane was asking I know but I just couldn't agree with your comments.

[Suspension Stuff]

I assume the 80 series shell is lighter, is it??

[harvey]

Gee Harvey I am sorry but I have to disagree with a couple of points you have made here .. not in relation to the better wheeler but more in relation to the bodies and dimensions. I've owned both a couple of 80 series and a couple of GQ's .. most of them I have purchased damaged and repaired. One of each required a new shell (back in the days when they were worth enough to reshell).

The 80 Series body is far far stronger than the thin tin GQ body. And way better designed and put together. The GQ body shell is merely an updated MQ .. a design that dates back to the late 70's whereas the Cruiser is a far more modern and structurally far superior shell design.

And the other point I beliueve you are mistaken on, but you can be forgiven for this as you stated you were relying on another's advice, is that the 80 is small in the cargo area ... wrong again. I've got a 70 litre explorer fridge with the seperate freezer compartment, which is a big fridge, and whilst it fits in the back of the cruiser no problems, It can only just fits in the back of the GQ. Having had both I can verify that you can get more into the back of an 80 than you can a GQ.

Either point isn't really what Shane was asking I know but I just couldn't agree with your comments.

Simo I haven't said the cargo area of an 80 series is small at all. What i've said is i have been advised that the more square cargo area of a GQ makes it easier to pack everything away than an 80s cargo area - which is more carlike and round in its internal shape. So i'm sorry if i've given you the wrong impression. I haven't said the 80s has a small cargo space and the GQ large.

Again as for the body shell strength i'm relying on the experience of the tour operators who regularly drive through Morocco and the Sahara where 60 series are favoured over the 80 series as the 60 series roofs and body where it meets the mounts don't have such a reputation for cracking as the 80 series does. This has to be a contributor to deciding which is the best 4x4 i though hence why i mentioned it. The Patrol also doesn't, again by the tour operators, appear to have the same reputation as the 80 series in this regard. But, I'm led to believe the PAtrol is not as strong as the 60 series in this regard.

I hope this clarifies my points for you.

But again as i originally said, it's swings and roundabout, both are good vehicles. If you want one over the other as a great 4x4 i could only chose by who gave me the best deal as both will take you the same places given the same driver and aftermarket options.

[Simo63]

Gee Harvey I am sorry but I have to disagree with a couple of points you have made here .. not in relation to the better wheeler but more in relation to the bodies and dimensions. I've owned both a couple of 80 series and a couple of GQ's .. most of them I have purchased damaged and repaired. One of each required a new shell (back in the days when they were worth enough to reshell).

The 80 Series body is far far stronger than the thin tin GQ body. And way better designed and put together. The GQ body shell is merely an updated MQ .. a design that dates back to the late 70's whereas the Cruiser is a far more modern and structurally far superior shell design.

And the other point I beliueve you are mistaken on, but you can be forgiven for this as you stated you were relying on another's advice, is that the 80 is small in the cargo area ... wrong again. I've got a 70 litre explorer fridge with the seperate freezer compartment, which is a big fridge, and whilst it fits in the back of the cruiser no problems, It can only just fits in the back of the GQ. Having had both I can verify that you can get more into the back of an 80 than you can a GQ.

Either point isn't really what Shane was asking I know but I just couldn't agree with your comments.

Simo I haven't said the cargo area of an 80 series is small at all. What i've said is i have been advised that the more square cargo area of a GQ makes it easier to pack everything away than an 80s cargo area - which is more carlike and round in its internal shape. So i'm sorry if i've given you the wrong impression. I haven't said the 80s has a small cargo space and the GQ large.

Again as for the body shell strength i'm relying on the experience of the tour operators who regularly drive through Morocco and the Sahara where 60 series are favoured over the 80 series as the 60 series roofs and body where it meets the mounts don't have such a reputation for cracking as the 80 series does. This has to be a contributor to deciding which is the best 4x4 i though hence why i mentioned it. The Patrol also doesn't, again by the tour operators, appear to have the same reputation as the 80 series in this regard. But, I'm led to believe the PAtrol is not as strong as the 60 series in this regard.

I hope this clarifies my points for you.

But again as i originally said, it's swings and roundabout, both are good vehicles. If you want one over the other as a great 4x4 i could only chose by who gave me the best deal as both will take you the same places given the same driver and aftermarket options.

Okay sorry I must have misunderstood. I am not sure if the 80 series shell is as strong or stronger than the 60 series as, although I've owned a coule of 60's before, I have never dismantled or repaired a 60. I am absolutely sure the GQ is nowhere near as strong a shell as the 80 so if the 60 is stronger than the 80 then they must be super strong. I'm not sure what sort of shell will take a pounding over the desert and I would think they all would suffer. I do recall that the recent OBC winners GQ Patrol finishing the event with all broken cab mounts etc. From what I heard it was buggered but then again most things probably need a full rebuilt/reconstruction after that event.

Anyway, it sounds like Shane has his money down on an 80 (have you got it yet shane?) and as he sells suspension, he should be able to get it working okay off road.

[Simo63]

I assume the 80 series shell is lighter, is it??

Never weighed them but my perception is no. I would guess the 80 would be heavier than the GQ. I have purchased a GQ shell years ago and we lifted it on to the chassis after removing the stuffed one however when I did an 80 shell replacement 2 years ago, I used a block and tackle and I believe it was heavier than the GQ even with the front inner panels of the 80 unbolted (which you can't do on a GQ).

So when do you get the 80 then? What did you buy, petrol/diesel/turbo/manual/auto/DX/GXL/Sahara?? Didn't you have a nice Sahara a few years ago?

[Suspension Stuff]

The 80 series I have a deposit on is a 1990 turbo diesel auto with about 280,000 k's on the clock. It is a Sahara so it has front and rear lockers and I am getting it for $12,300. (aircon and some other bits need fixing)(no leather seats)

I set out looking for either a Patrol or a Cruiser with lockers and on a budget (The wife had a budget anyway) and this is what came up 1st.

I had to sell my previous petrol Sahara about 12 months ago to finish renovating a house. It had leather seats and was real nice to drive. I bought it to tear around in the bush and touring but once the wife jumped in it I was never allowed to take it bush and rarely got to drive it.

I do have plans for a 3 inch spring lift but with some simple mods for it to flex as if it is a 6 inch lift.

I have put a deposit on a caravan and some time in July we are heading off around Australia at last, so I will be busy finding winches, tyres etc and getting the vehicle ready to hit the road. I will be leaving the caravan from time to time to hit the trails as I head around.

Cheers
Shane

[Simo63]

The 80 series I have a deposit on is a 1990 turbo diesel auto with about 280,000 k's on the clock. It is a Sahara so it has front and rear lockers and I am getting it for $12,300. (aircon and some other bits need fixing)(no leather seats)

I set out looking for either a Patrol or a Cruiser with lockers and on a budget (The wife had a budget anyway) and this is what came up 1st.

I had to sell my previous petrol Sahara about 12 months ago to finish renovating a house. It had leather seats and was real nice to drive. I bought it to tear around in the bush and touring but once the wife jumped in it I was never allowed to take it bush and rarely got to drive it.

I do have plans for a 3 inch spring lift but with some simple mods for it to flex as if it is a 6 inch lift.

I have put a deposit on a caravan and some time in July we are heading off around Australia at last, so I will be busy finding winches, tyres etc and getting the vehicle ready to hit the road. I will be leaving the caravan from time to time to hit the trails as I head around.

Cheers
Shane

Fantastic. Sounds like you got a bargain with the 80 ... also lucky to be off on a adventure soon. Lucky buggers. Better to do it now before any kids come along

[ludacris]

[quote="4WD Stuff"][quote]Was it hard to admit that the Patrols are tougher. [/quote]
No, I am a realist and I like the GQ's.
Horses for Courses, but I am not convinced that the GQ is more capable then the 80 series after following an 80 series up the upper creek run at Ormeau and other places.

When you are in your capable GQ on an easy hill climb at Ormeau stuck on your diffs you start to think.

But I have never wheeled an 80 series myself and I have a deposit on one so what do you do while waiting for it. Start threads.

Some examples would be beneficial.

Cheers
Shane[/quote]

No worries mate but realisticly I would rather be stuck on my diffs out bush then stuck with no drivtrain left.

LudaCris

[Simo63]

No worries mate but realisticly I would rather be stuck on my diffs out bush then stuck with no drivtrain left.

LudaCris

Spot the Nissan driver ... Hi Chris

How are those tyres working out?

[grimbo]

why have you posted this in both sections. Seems like another pointless Toyota vs Nissan thread.

Your question is way too vague to give any sort of definitive answer. So many factors come into how a vehicle of "similar" setups will go on a track. Didfferent vehicles work better at different obstacles plus once you add in the driver's ability and driving style

[Suspension Stuff]

Grizzly Grumpy grimbo has the GU broken down yet? Na it is a good choice going for the 4.2L.
Please give us some examples of terrain where the Landcruiser beats the Patrol and vice versa. There are a lot of variables and they are all important so lets hear them.

When examples are given, drivers ability and driving style should be the same if possible.
If you give us some real life examples this thread won't be useless. But you are probably too scared to get the GU scratched.

When forming a conclusion I like to get evidence from both sides of the fence and not just what I want to hear. Not like some of you Nissan drivers. (general tech probably would have been best)

[grimbo]

well there have been times when I have driven my GQ which was just a 2" lift and 33" tyres unlocked over snow without any dramas whilst a similarily equipped. but dual locked, 80 Series waas constantly getting stuck. I have also been able to climb steep slippery tracks better than the afore mentioned truck. But in a couple of situations his dual lockers has allowed him to take different lines than those which I have had to choose but I haven't not made the obstacles, just had to do it differently

In contrast on long sections of corrugated roads he faired better than I did, by maintaining a higher speed.

Other than that I haven't expereienced any situations where you could say one was better than the other. Buying choice for me came down to $$$ with the Patrols cheaper to get , interior confort, I just prefer the driving positionetc in a Patrol (I'm 6'4") whilst my brother prefers his Landcruiser. I have driven both over long distances and preferred the Patrol.

I appreciate that you want to gain as much info as you can I was pointing out probably better to just ask the one question rather than spreading into two ections where owner loyalty may cloud the responses

[Sandy Rut]

Its easy to compare two trucks side by side on paper, but the questions you are asking are impossible to answer.
Anyway as others have said - there are just too many variables in the real world to compare what is better or faster, more capable etc.

Besides, who cares what is faster/more capable/durable - youve made a descision to buy a cruiser anyway

Your time may be better spent reading all the how-to's in the toyota section for when your truck breaks down (Patrols break down too im not biased) , or getting idea's for mods instead of composing cruiser vs patrol threads

Outer limits is an awesome tool with priceless info, no matter what brand of truck you drive (or dont drive...). However this thread has contributed nothing to Nissan Tech.

[Suspension Stuff]

So far,
Toyota has better diff clearences
More suspension Flex
Gets hung up on rear trailing arms
Body is heavier and more top heavy
better turning circle
Nicer to drive on road(For most)
Generally dearer to buy but price coming down
More cargo area once rear seats removed.
Can fit 33 inch tyres easier under guards.

Nissan has stronger diffs and drivetrain
Underneath tucked up better in general
Poor Turning Circle(LWB)
On corrugations the Nissan rattles to death ealier then the 80 series.
Better centre of gravity.
generally cheaper to buy
Not as modern looking.( GQ )

More examples/opinions encouraged