80 Series v's Patrol

[Toddles]

Don't want to start a total shit fight, I just want to get information from both sides of the fence.

The two cars I want to compare are a 4.2L Turbo Diesel GU Patrol and a Multi-vavle Factory Turbo Diesel 80 Series (so 95-97).

What advantages/disadvantages does one have over the other. Weaknesses that one has but the other doesn't etc etc.

Just tossing up my options since Multi-vavle 80 series are hard to find.

Cheers
Todd

[dow50r]

Gday Todd its andrew again...
The GU is a darn fine truck....for the money, they repesent better value for money than the older cruisers...mate is looking at a 2002 td6 with 120k's for 28 grand....thats cheap.....they are bullletproof driveline wise, and people say the nissan is a better go anywhere truck....the 80 will have more power and more space for fuel, maybe even more interior space...but for the money.....you cant beat a td6...dont buy a 3 litre....they dont last.
Andrew

[45punkbus]

might be worth chuckin this in general tech, as you will get alot more toyota people in here, so the answers could be alittle bias.

cheers

Dean

[Toddles]

might be worth chuckin this in general tech, as you will get alot more toyota people in here, so the answers could be alittle bias.

cheers

Dean

I chucked pretty much the same question up in the nissan part as I thought the samething after posting it up. So hopefully should get a good range from both sides.

[bad_religion_au]

patrols have a pretty bulletproof drivetrain, but 80's are nicer to drive IMO, the suspension just seems better sorted, and the ergonomics seem better.

the 80's drivetrain is almost as bulletproof (minus the front diff, which is weak).

[80diesel4play]

patrols have a pretty bulletproof drivetrain, but 80's are nicer to drive IMO, the suspension just seems better sorted,
the 80's drivetrain is almost as bulletproof (minus the front diff, which is weak).

In reverse the diff can be weak!

80 series makes more power standard and are less agricultural to drive than the Nissans. My 80 has taken abuse, but like all cars - things wear out. The Toyo gear is expensive but you do get what you pay for - resale etc...

If I had my time again I'd look at a GU ute or Wagon TD6 or even a 2.8D GU then retrofit a 4.2TD to it after selling the engine - you'd get 4.6 diff ratios.. ahhh - in hindsight everything seems a better idea.

[Toddles]

Well I have been chasing a 4x4 for a while, so it has given me plenty of time to think.

I was all on the toyota only band wagon as mates drive toyota's, but the patrol should be just as good. Everything has a weakness, advantage etc over something else.

It ain't like I will be doing anything full on part breaking series anyway.

The more options I have to pick from the better. It would appear 4.2L Turbo Diesel GU's in QLD are just as hard to find as the multi-valve cruisers though.

[MissDrew]

Trying to compair an 80 to a GU is just wrong.

80`s and GQ`s were sold at the same time
100`s and GU`s were/are sold at the same time.

But which ever way you go the cruiser will allways be alot more car like to drive. The Nissan will be more truck like but stronger drive line, but the cruisers are finished off so much better. The cruisers will have more power.

My opinion is, if you want a tourer, daily driver, family 4x4 the cruiser is way ahead.
If you want a full on weekend 4x4, comp rig then the patrol is better.

[known 2]

i agree with guts on that one 80's are great heeps of power the patroll td42 has nothing on the toyota engine apart u can run more boost on a patroll motor being a stronger donk.

i have herd the patrolls over heat in heavy sand driving tho?

patroll hardcore offroad, no questions

cruiser= everything else

[Toddles]

i agree with guts on that one 80's are great heeps of power the patroll td42 has nothing on the toyota engine apart u can run more boost on a patroll motor being a stronger donk.

i have herd the patrolls over heat in heavy sand driving tho?

patroll hardcore offroad, no questions

cruiser= everything else

I have also heard that the patrol can get very hot in sand driving and also in hard off roading, yet people with patrols have said other wise.

I have also heard the 4.2L Diesel sucks in engine downhill braking, but have been told that might be wrong also.

Just got to find two samples of each and give them both a good run. Just gotta to find them first.

[DNA Off Road]

Don’t get too concerned about the 80 front diff centre weakness. For the average wheeler, it is of no concern. If you plan to run bigger tyres and push it hard off road, you can strengthen it somewhat. If you want to run big tyres 36+ drive it hard and have strength without mods, the Nissan front diff is the best choice.

Cheers

[Toddles]

Don’t get too concerned about the 80 front diff centre weakness. For the average wheeler, it is of no concern. If you plan to run bigger tyres and push it hard off road, you can strengthen it somewhat. If you want to run big tyres 36+ drive it hard and have strength without mods, the Nissan front diff is the best choice.

Cheers

Would only ever up going 35in tyres if anything. Never going to go too fully over the top or anything. Will never go in comps etc. or probably do anything really really series. Just needs to go where I want it to go if we want to go exploring and on trips etc. I have no doubt the 80 series would be good and it was my first choice, but just widening my options.

[80diesel4play]

Don’t get too concerned about the 80 front diff centre weakness. For the average wheeler, it is of no concern. If you plan to run bigger tyres and push it hard off road, you can strengthen it somewhat. If you want to run big tyres 36+ drive it hard and have strength without mods, the Nissan front diff is the best choice.

Cheers

Hence making the mod to my beast! No going back now!! GQ front - 9" of fun!

[MissDrew]

Don’t get too concerned about the 80 front diff centre weakness. For the average wheeler, it is of no concern. If you plan to run bigger tyres and push it hard off road, you can strengthen it somewhat. If you want to run big tyres 36+ drive it hard and have strength without mods, the Nissan front diff is the best choice.

Cheers

Would only ever up going 35in tyres if anything. Never going to go too fully over the top or anything. Will never go in comps etc. or probably do anything really really series. Just needs to go where I want it to go if we want to go exploring and on trips etc. I have no doubt the 80 series would be good and it was my first choice, but just widening my options.

If the 80 was your first choice but you are still thinking GQ or GU then take one of each for a drive, I bet you then decide you can`t go past the 80. This is what happened to me when we were looking the same as you.

[sniper]

I HATE driving a GQ, what a piece of shit to drive. Apparently strong drive line though but i cant see an 80 being far off especially if you put a locker in it. GU more car like then the GQ but the TD4.2 are still a little exy for the pocket. Cruisers are alot more comfortable, look better more power and best of all has a TOYOTA badge

Each to their own sum like pootrols others cruisers. I looked at both and went cruiser

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

Hey Q.
in what year did the 80s change to 16 inch rims??? and on all models or??

whats the thoughts on the non turbo pov pack 80s???

and would you buy one cheapish with over 300K on the clock and hope it doesnt die, or pay a bit more for lower kms and once again hope it doesnt die??

cheers

DRS

[Maggot4x4]

patrols have a pretty bulletproof drivetrain, but 80's are nicer to drive IMO, the suspension just seems better sorted, and the ergonomics seem better.

the 80's drivetrain is almost as bulletproof (minus the front diff, which is weak).

I prefer the interior of the GU over the 80, but the 100 is way better than a GU. I find that 80's also feel a bit top heavy compared to both the GU & 100.

If you want good engine braking, buy a Landrover

[bad_religion_au]

patrols have a pretty bulletproof drivetrain, but 80's are nicer to drive IMO, the suspension just seems better sorted, and the ergonomics seem better.

the 80's drivetrain is almost as bulletproof (minus the front diff, which is weak).

I prefer the interior of the GU over the 80, but the 100 is way better than a GU. I find that 80's also feel a bit top heavy compared to both the GU & 100.

If you want good engine braking, buy a Landrover

i hated the GU i had on fieldwork, i can't compare the 80's and 100's directly, as i've never been in a 100 that wasn't a pov pack base model one.

[Toli]

Hey Q.
in what year did the 80s change to 16 inch rims??? and on all models or??

whats the thoughts on the non turbo pov pack 80s???

and would you buy one cheapish with over 300K on the clock and hope it doesnt die, or pay a bit more for lower kms and once again hope it doesnt die??

cheers

DRS

Hi DRS,

I think the 80 went to 16 inch rims in 93 to allow for the bigger brakes to fit. Not too sure if it was all models.

The non-turbo ones looked good. From what I have been told they do not have the Big end bearing problem. also they take well to aftermarket turbos. I thought the factory turbo was a lot better so I wanted a factory, plus I also wanted at least GXL

To me it is not the kilometres that is on the truck it is the life it has had. Mine was owned by the same guy for 12 years, before that one owner. So I am the 3rd owner. There is full service history with it and all receipts including the big end bear change from like 10 years ago.

If I had found one with less KM's but with the service history then I would have taken however the other I found had high 200's and low 300's with little service history or knowledge of the cars history.

Remember a truck can die as easy at 250,000km's as it can at 400,000km's a service history will tell the difference.

By the way mine has 410,000km's on it. Still going stron touch wood.

[Red Rover]

I have always had nissans. I liked the reliability in the strength I had a MQ, a MK and a GQ. I bought the 80 sereis as a tourer. Once I drove it off road with the auto etc, I couldn't drive the gq anymore, was like a truck to drive. The cruiser just beat it all round, now my wife has a near new astra.........

I was really concerned with the reliability, but so far so good after about 12 months. Has twin lockers and runs 285's most of the time. Have been giving it a fair bit of late with np problems yet. Went to cruiser park on the weekend and did cruiser climb, hilux hill etc etc etc and did everything bar the gorge run as we ran out of time, and considering it only had 285's, shit it went well........the only way i would go back to a nissan would be a new gu 4.2 turbo and swap in an auto out of a gq

[TheBigBoy]

As repeated in many posts on here. Value for money (as an off the shelf 4x4) the 80 series has it. I have a gu ute. And had a 75 series cruiser before it. I upped the power in the 75 series and broke almost everything. Although the GU driveline is infact bullet proof. They are a slow piece of sheeet (and the 3 litres blow up, repeatedly) and you will not be happy with them. Ive put a V8 in mine (gen3) and its a completely different truck to drive and handles the power beautifully.

But, Bottom line. 80 series = good alrounder. Patrol = Tuff but very slow.