A few tech q's about my new old Patrol

[Heathx4]

I've gone and bought myself a Patrol, and have a few general queries to raise.

I spent today pulling things apart, tightening things up, and generally just 'getting to know' the MQ. I love these older cars - everything comes apart, you can fix and understand just about anything. A few loose ends though:

1. Any recommendations on who to see, or what can be done, about getting some side steps/rock sliders on 'er? Particularly in the Newcastle area.

2. When the key is turned to the 'on' position, the fuel pump starts ticking at about 4-6Hz. It doesn't seem to stop, even once the engine is running, but also doesn't appear to affect anything. I'm pretty sure this didn't happen when I first got the car though. Is this normal?

3. Where do I store a spare tyre in one of these suckers?? Would it be worth rigging up a swinging holder for the rear bar/tail gate?

4. I've noticed a loud clunk/crash coming from the rear of the car which appears to often occur when the suspension returns to its rest state - such as when the rear tyres reach the top of a speed bump, or drop off a kerb. Any ideas what to check there?

That'll do for now - cheers!

[Charlie]

I used to own an MQ and know what you mean about the fuel pump, mine was always like this so I guess its its normal.
Charlie

[MKPatrolGuy]

Mine also does the fuel pump thing, I would also say it is normal. I also have the rear suspension clunking, no idea what it is though.

[Beastmavster]

Mine also does the fuel pump thing, I would also say it is normal. I also have the rear suspension clunking, no idea what it is though.

I thought it should have an electronic fuel pmup which my old 6 cyl dattos had (with the exclusion of my 240Z).

[MKPatrolGuy]

Mine also does the fuel pump thing, I would also say it is normal. I also have the rear suspension clunking, no idea what it is though.

I thought it should have an electronic fuel pmup which my old 6 cyl dattos had (with the exclusion of my 240Z).

It is electric

[2car]

I've gone and bought myself a Patrol, and have a few general queries to raise.

I spent today pulling things apart, tightening things up, and generally just 'getting to know' the MQ. I love these older cars - everything comes apart, you can fix and understand just about anything. A few loose ends though:

3. Where do I store a spare tyre in one of these suckers?? Would it be worth rigging up a swinging holder for the rear bar/tail gate?

4. I've noticed a loud clunk/crash coming from the rear of the car which appears to often occur when the suspension returns to its rest state - such as when the rear tyres reach the top of a speed bump, or drop off a kerb. Any ideas what to check there?

That'll do for now - cheers!

3. Mate of mine had a spare tyre carrier as part of his MQ rear bar. He took the bar off for a better exit angle and just chucked the spare in the back.

4. Start with the suspension bushes at either end of the leaf springs and either end of the shackles. Check shocks too. Could be any number of things though.

BT

[big red]

3. the spare rack will get damaged anyway so take it off.
4. check front shackle mount on chassis...known to crack.
could it be the second stage of the springs coming into play?
apart from that just check bushes and shackles.

[Screwy]

3. i gad a spare wheel carrier under the fuel tank, just behind the rear diff is a pivot assemply for a holder that pushes the tyre up against the tank and locks off at the back. mine got ripped out from under me though trying to do some pretty heavy stuff, so i went to a wrecker and picked up a really good swingaway for about $200. u can get them abit cheaper though

[V8Patrol]

There are 2 fuel pumps on the MQ patrol and they work in tandem, they are located on the drivers side on the inner side of the chassis rail along the straight section just before the chassis curves up over the rear diff.
There is a fine mesh filter on the bottom of each pump that is accessed by unscrewing the bottom bit (last filter I bought was about $16.00 for the pair).
There is also usually a third fuel filter just above them aswell, if it has never been replaced then it will be a steel filter about the size of a coke can !!!. A normal "RYCO" fuel filter works just as good as the factory unit here.
As for the key "on" position and pumps running..... thats normal so you can relax, if you think its a tad loud then replace the insulating rubbers.

[Heathx4]

Thanks a million for the comments! I'll be sure to out some of it into practice over the next week or so (roll on summer - it'd be so nice to have some daylight when I get home from work!).

I've already forgotten about the fuel pump and can only hear it when I'm listening for it now! Nice to know it is not an expensive part if it does become a problem though. Just an issue of getting super in the eye and up the nose if I take it off I guess (would have dismantled it by now if not for that risk).

Ryan has offered to sell me his rear bar complete with swingaway and spare 31". Could be quite handy. Not sure I'm that excited by a rear bar which you can "jack the car up with", but I guess it can't hurt that much. Appreciate the advice about leaving it off, but I think for now I'd prefer the boot space over not having it hanging off the back. I'll keep a close eye on the departure angle, but I don't expect to test it for some time. Can always remove it for a decent 4wd trip. I very much doubt I can mount it underneath - the tank is 110L and appears to take up most of the room above and behind the rear axle.

I'll be checking out the suspension components people have suggested. Good ideas there.

Still interested on ideas for rock sliders, but will ask around at the 4be shops here for ideas as well. Also, I'm well scared that a proximity pass of a tree or hard surface will rip the mirrors off, bringing the door with it! So I'm interested in ideas or offers on replacement mirrors that have a bit of give. I might be able to get away with the present ones if I remove the 3rd support member and grease up the mounting joints. Will try that soon, but it is still not as ideal as a spring mounted design.

Cheers!

[ozy1]

Just to re-inforce the message about front shackle mounts cracking, i had this problem when i had my MQ, didnt realise it until i ripped it off up at lithgo and broke a shock pin as well, it was only found when a mate pointed out that i had some awsome flex, its was a slow trip home on the car trailer.

[DR Frankenstine]

question
1# build your own
2# normal
3# rear swing away
4# take out over ride springs

[DR Frankenstine]

Thanks a million for the comments! I'll be sure to out some of it into practice over the next week or so (roll on summer - it'd be so nice to have some daylight when I get home from work!).

I've already forgotten about the fuel pump and can only hear it when I'm listening for it now! Nice to know it is not an expensive part if it does become a problem though. Just an issue of getting super in the eye and up the nose if I take it off I guess (would have dismantled it by now if not for that risk).

Ryan has offered to sell me his rear bar complete with swingaway and spare 31". Could be quite handy. Not sure I'm that excited by a rear bar which you can "jack the car up with", but I guess it can't hurt that much. Appreciate the advice about leaving it off, but I think for now I'd prefer the boot space over not having it hanging off the back. I'll keep a close eye on the departure angle, but I don't expect to test it for some time. Can always remove it for a decent 4wd trip. I very much doubt I can mount it underneath - the tank is 110L and appears to take up most of the room above and behind the rear axle.

I'll be checking out the suspension components people have suggested. Good ideas there.

Still interested on ideas for rock sliders, but will ask around at the 4be shops here for ideas as well. Also, I'm well scared that a proximity pass of a tree or hard surface will rip the mirrors off, bringing the door with it! So I'm interested in ideas or offers on replacement mirrors that have a bit of give. I might be able to get away with the present ones if I remove the 3rd support member and grease up the mounting joints. Will try that soon, but it is still not as ideal as a spring mounted design.

Cheers!

note that the fuel pump has a filter in built ( clean it out!)
build your own rock sliders. i use hilux mirrors work well

[MKPatrolGuy]

Just to re-inforce the message about front shackle mounts cracking, i had this problem when i had my MQ, didnt realise it until i ripped it off up at lithgo and broke a shock pin as well, it was only found when a mate pointed out that i had some awsome flex, its was a slow trip home on the car trailer.

One of mine had cracked all the way around, dunno how it didn't separate all welded up solid now.

[V8Patrol]

A rear mounted tyre rack will impeed on your entry/exit angles but if you modify it by raising the wheel holder you wont have to many problems. I run 35 inch BFG MT's and have one on the back rack as a spare, the rear window "just opens" and it has virtually zero effect on entry/exit angles. We also use em for pushing on with the bullbar when we are "playing in da mud" and they have saved countless rear tailgates from reversing into that hidden tree in the scrub beside the track. I broke a snatch strap a few months ago and the spare wheel wore a fair bit of the impact, the tailgate wore the rest and was totaled..... 6 inches to the left and the tailgate would have survived........such is life !

[mav]

Just to re-inforce the message about front shackle mounts cracking, i had this problem when i had my MQ, didnt realise it until i ripped it off up at lithgo and broke a shock pin as well, it was only found when a mate pointed out that i had some awsome flex, its was a slow trip home on the car trailer.

One of mine had cracked all the way around, dunno how it didn't separate all welded up solid now.

my old mq did the same thing broke off and all on the l/h/s the r/h/s was fine thou just pulled the shackle out and chained the spring eye to the chassis rail and drove it home from woninngatta