1994 Nissan Patrol ST from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

After owning 5 Nissan diesel Patrols in 15 years and having a dream run with them all.

I decided it was time for a change mainly to try a different 4x4 So ended up with a Land Rover 4 Cyl diesel nice to drive, but a slug to get moving. Spent its first 6 months at the dealer attempting to fix oil leaks after about the 7th attempt all leaks were fixed At 140,000Ks it blew a head gasket and periodically blew them regularly for the next 6 months. Traded it for a 2001

Land cruiser. not as comfortable as the Nissan or the Rover

been back to the dealers with transfer case problems and oil leaks, so next time I think I will stick to the Nissans, No oil leaks no gearbox problems no headgasket problems in fact no problems of any kind, you can't beat a Nissan for reliability and comfort. At no time in 15 years was I without a Nissan due to having to leave my 4x4 at the dealers, at times with the Land cruiser it has been there for weeks as with the Rover trying to fix problems.

I have been driving my patrol for 3 years without any problems, but now the lack of power when towing is really starting to get to me.

I have seen that there are turbo kits available, but with 180000k's on the clock would my engine die a slow death under the extra pressure?

Are there any problems that could arise from fitting a turbo?

And would this increased power be money well spent?

I'm trying to avoid becoming a cruiser owner, but stuck in 2nd gear at 40km/h up a average hill is embarrassing.

Any advice would be great.

darrenwoodard@hotmail.com.

I currently own a 96 GQ TD42 Turbo long wheelbase and have not had any dramas at all in 6 years since I have had it. I have a mate who has a 100 series cruiser who has had front suspension, diff problems, but is still a dead set cruiser fan.

Nissan patrols use scaled down UD (Nissan Diesel) drive lines, So I have been told. The TD42 is a very old design, but it is still my engine of choice.

For all you Nissan fanatics like myself I have heard through a guy who works for Nissan that the TD42 is going to be killed cause it won't pass the next emmision change, There is word that there is a V8 diesel comming to replace our beloved TD42.

Lets just hope that Nissan does not go to independent front suspension, otherwise there will be no decent 4X4 on the market worth going off road.

I have a 2005 LWB 4.8 VTC Patrol and stay in UAE, this car takes me everywhere I want in the desert. Crosses many time part of the empty quarter, and the car just doesn't give up. The only mods on it are the suspension with the OME. I cannot find anything wrong on the car - comfort and performance are superb. A real desert toy.

Gidday I'm looking at buying a LWB Patrol in the 90 - 96 range and I'm swaying towards the 4.2 diesel, but also looking at the petrol options (3 and 4.2 ltr) Any words of wisdom would be well appreciated!! Love petrols, but economy is a factor too.

Thanks

Tony

ltdwilkinson@optusnet.com.au.

Yeah I am interested in extra power too. I am running a 1988 GQ TB42 petrol on gas which is economical and powerful, but slow compared to most passenger cars. I am getting quotes to fit a 4.8 ltr fuel injected 2003 motor put in which has 185kw compared to 125kw. Does anyone know if the 5 speed from these models are compatible.

I Have a 2004 gu 4.8 patrol I have had a gas Conversion fitted

Alson Long range fuel tank I now have a nasty rattle above 3200 Revs Alson lack of power Maximum 100 if I am lucky would welcome any comments

Thanks

Grahame.

Hi.

I have 1993 LWB GQ 4.2 Petrol EFI ST Patrol... It has been an awesome 4x4, that after a few after-market mods (Unichip gave it an extra 14% power, plus a decent exhaust added another 8%, and a set of Hi Clones for economy) transformed a robust 4 x 4 with mediocre performance into a very attractive vehicle...

Having been a bit of a "Petrol Head" for most of my life, I truly cannot fault it...

I have recently replaced the shockies with a set of TJM H/D's at 170K kms. Apart from that, and a couple of radiator hoses, it has been bullet proof.

It is used extensively around town (Coffs Harbour), regularly off road and as a tow vehicle for a fairly large "Race Car" Transporter.

It is quick off the traffic lights (when compared to other 4x4s), and consumes fuel at the rate of around 11.7 -> 13.0 litres per 100kms (depending on how many Toyotas you have to dust off).

It gets regularly serviced every 5000k's, and there has been no tell tail oil leaks onto the (her) driveway.

It is comfortable, has most of the conveniences (keyless entry would be nice), is as cheap as a diesel, has more power and has been unbelievably reliable.

What more can I say... "Oh what a feeling!"

Hi, Got a 93 GQ 4.2 petrol. Great vehicle but got an intermittent problem. Any body else experienced this? She goes well, but then seems to choke as if fuel is not getting through. She will cough a few times, I back off the pedal then off she goes again. Might run for a few days without hassle then does it again. Anybody got any suggestion? Regards.

Howdy eh?

I'm writing from Edmonton Alberta up here in Canada, and I'm about to purchase a '90 Patrol Safari that's been imported from Japan.

I've owned a '91 Nissan Pathfinder that had close to 500,000 km's on it, and the thing was indestructible. So I can attest to the reliability of Nissan's vehicles. The only reason I sold it was because of a blown clutch, and it was rusted out pretty badly.

I would like to thank all of these testimonials on this forum from around the world for helping me make a tricky decision (It'll be pretty crazy driving on the right side of the vehicle!).

I look forward to putting this Patrol to the test up here in the Canadian wilderness, and I will post to let you all know how it survived through the winter!

I realise this is not a Fix it forum so I hope you will excuse me this reply as I have had this fuel problem.

Regarding the person with the: 93 GQ 4.2 petrol. with an intermittent problem. She goes well, but then seems to choke as if fuel is not getting through. She will cough a few times, I back off the pedal then off she goes again. Might run for a few days without hassle then does it again.

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You may well have fixed this problem by know I am a bit slow catching up with the reading. However the symptoms you described fit a rust or dust in the fuel tank clogging the intake, check your tank breathers for dust going into the tank, and replace your fuel filters, hope this helps.

I own a 1988 GQ SWB diesel which has been excellent in every way. I get around 10.5/11.5 Lt/100 k fuel economy in city driving, with better figures on the highway (9.7/10.0 Lt/100 k) when I drive gently (70/80 kph) The oil is changed at 5000 k intervals, filters at 10000 k. generally the air filter is changed at 25/30000 km depending on fuel use. I don't go off road as much as I would like, but I would not want to sell my car as any other vehicle is too delicate for me. I find 2wd cars (Holden/Falcon) are buggered in 2 to 3 years of me getting them. Since I've had this car I've had no real problems apart from fair wear & tear. So far I've done 240000 km in 14 years and hope to get more service (lots more) yet.

Just bought a 94lwb patrol with a 3.0 petrol/gas, just wondering if anyone has had success with a turbo kit, its done 163000 never off road, any info would be great.

G'day fellow Nissan owners

I own a 89 GQ 4.2 diesel patrol and I know that you can't beat thier reliability. I use the old girl to get around around town to work and as my pig hunting vehicle. It has coped some real abuse as it has done many trips out west and up the gulf. on one pig hunting trip up the gulf it was pouring rain for 5 days straight and there was a cyclone coming through this ment we had to get out of there pretty much indefently my mate with me who had his 2004 4.2 DI turbo landcruiser ute learned he shouldn't of sold his nissan to buy that heap of junk cruiser. anywayz we were going through treterous conditions headin to georgetown then home to townsville we encountered a heavlly deluged creek crossing we had to cross and there was no turnin back I decided stuff it I'm goin first crossed through with water just below my snorkel pretty much without a problem then my mate with his cruiser went to cross it and oh no engine cut out electrics failed...3 quaters of the way across I back up me nissan pulled out the snatchey strap and pulled him across to the safe side without his car running (proud moment) even though fitted with a snorkel water still managed to get sucked into his air cleaner and his engine we finnaly got his car started, but he was still havin trouble all the way home (engine cuttin out at random moments, electronics failures, Hub bearings blew out) and my nissan just purrin away in front of him not missin a beat it was just amazing my nissan 14 years older and 150,000 more kms managed to be a more reliable vehichle when the going really got tough I think it just goes to show the Gq patrol is truly one of the best 4wds ever created... When the going gets tough the patrol gets going!

I have owned a late 1991 GQ dual fuel for 5 years. She's an everyday car; from round the paddocks to 85 kms each way to town to having just completed 12,000 kms down to and around Tasmania.

I don't look after her well i.e. Oil changes around 16-20,000 as its still honey coloured on LPG, been running with an old distributor cap and rotor since 2002, random changes of air filter - nothing else - and she's been running fine up to 435,000 kms.

OK the LPG is a bit iffy, have to get the valve clearance and timing spot on or she spits back occasionally - but that's probably the duff distributor.

So, 435,000 kms, nothing done, 4.5plus kms per litre on gas

(I never run her on petrol).

Having had fleets of Landrovers and Toyotas in Africa I know what I'd choose for reliability, traction and go-anywhere ability.

And remember, this 4WD came standard with coils and discs all round, LSD, un-lockable roll bar and electrically operated everything (which I hate).

For value and reliability I now believe you cannot beat the 4.2 Patrol.

It's such a pity the smaller engines that followed don't live up to that reputation. If you are tempted to buy one of the later, smaller ones I suggest you avoid those with tow-bars.

She's just developed pretty frightening front suspension and body noise, especially on severe corrugation. One "expert" says body cracks from hard use, any suggestions?