'Long Way Down's' Nissan Patrols

[Sleeping Dog]

Fluffy and light but entertaining

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/first_drive.php?sid=1284&page=1

"David explained the diesel quality en route wasn’t always as good as it could have been. ‘We had horrible fuel that we picked up in some places. They were pouring it out of little garden buckets and pouring it back through a tea strainer, so we needed a new fuel filter occasionally. But the cars were amazing, and bar a few modifications you can drive one of these out of the showroom.'"

[ckkone]

I like this picture...Toyota to the rescue!

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/images/article_images/LongWayDown_8_560.jpg

[articulate]

Super entertaining story. I want more, thanks to the little pieces of humor here and there:


The vehicle upgrades were mainly to cope with the demanding terrain once Russ and David crossed into Africa . . . The last feature was a wooden Tokoloshe voodoo doll, strapped to the front bumper of one car to ward off evil spirits!

Must consider a voodoo doll now.

[Spikepretorius]

The pic of them driving over a bridge and the pic of them on the beach were taken about a mile from my house. :)
The beach shot is a few hundred yards from my local surf spot.

[canucksafari]

Great story. If both had roof tents, then it must have been a pain to pull all the stuff off the top to set-up the tents every night. You'd think a good 4x4 expedition trailer would have been utilized to save them that grief.

[CoastalDefender]

I’m not sure it was fun. You get to the end and think thank God we made a film so we can look back and really appreciate what we did, because at the time it’s tough to do that.'

This is such a true statement, and it hit me really really hard in the gut.


From Afghanistan to Arkansas, I'm so glad I've taken pictures of everywhere I go, when I get back it's a great feeling to know I've survived.

Then later I can look at them in privacy and remember all the fun, terror, bonding, and appreciate you're able to do something not many are fortunate (<-subjective) enough to experience.

:arabia:

[4Rescue]

I like this picture...Toyota to the rescue!

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/images/article_images/LongWayDown_8_560.jpgPretty common sight down under... THose Patrols are neat trucks, but they're nowhere near as robust as the all-holy 70 series Cruiser.

Neat read, and the comment about taking pics/vids and enjoying it later is so true and very well put. We made a vid of one of our gnarlier rafting trips where we encountered ALOT of troubles. At the time all we could thing is will we make it back with everyone intact. Oddly enough when you watch the vid afterwards we were still having a pretty damn good time, I guess we just thought we were being really serious...

[NeilWilson]

Long Way Down or Long Whinge Down ?

They seemed to spend most of the early episodes moaning about things and belting through countries to meet their deadlines. Still good though, I just wish they looked like they were enjoying it :)

Neil

[canucksafari]

Pretty common sight down under... THose Patrols are neat trucks, but they're nowhere near as robust as the all-holy 70 series Cruiser.


Actually, I would argue that they are more robust - not just because I own one. :wings:

I am a member of the Coastal Cruisers here and it was some of the members first pointed this out to me. The Patrol's great downfall is the 3.0 L engine which is also becoming known as the "grenade" in Australia. Although there are a few simple fixes to minimize blowing the engine. With the TD4.2T and with a standard tranny (the sought after trim in Australia), the GU Patrol is one of the strongest 4Bs. Regretabley, this is supposed to be the last year for the mighty TD4.2. The drive train (difs, axles, CVs) are much stronger than anything offered by toyota. I would think the only reason they did not have the TD4.2T is because it is not an option on the European GUs.

[kcowyo]

Pretty common sight down under... THose Patrols are neat trucks, but they're nowhere near as robust as the all-holy 70 series Cruiser....

I recall you saying before you'd been to Australia.

But every story I read in Australian 4WD Monthly about the Patrols show them to be equally as capable, albeit maybe not as popular, as the 70 series. And in the travel stories they publish there seems to be a ton of aftermarket support for Patrols and they're favored by many tour outfitters.

I think it's a matter of preference, over a matter of quality.

[4Rescue]

well, I can tell you from my experiences that the Nissan guys were always haveing tranny problems, and cooling issue regularly... My HJ75 Ute never once even hiccuped... The motors in the Patrols felt plenty strong, but the fit and finish is Jeep like coming from a Toyota, and there seem to be nagging issues on the numerous patrols I wheeled with/met the drivers of. Simple fact, the 70 series has a far better reputation. I think the Nissans Diesel is a more "hot-rodable" motor, but it's still a wagon or SWB rig only. I never saw any Patrol Utes that I can remember, and the purpose built(and factory at that) LC70utes are built that way because they're the aussie version of our full sized work trucks...

Not to say you can't build the Nissans plenty stout, but I think out of the box the Toy wins hands down. Factory locking diffs and a full floating rear axle anyone???

[shortymav]

Nissan transfercase and gearbox in a 4.2 weigh clse on 500kg, the axles are the biggest and toughest in austrlia, I own one, my mates own them look at our competitions 99% are nissan patrols because they are tough, for touring a toyota is a bit more refined and has a nicer motor. when **** hits the fan i would either have a 2h toyota diesel or a td42 nissan. the only overheating issues you will get with them is if the rad is full of mud. the 3l patrol or handgrenade sucks its the worst engine in a patrol so we will discount that.

the diffs in a patrol are comparable to a d60-d70 i believe with a 9.25", 10.25" and a massive 12" something diff available over the yearsd

patrols are available in utes and they are everywhere the reason there are more curisers than patrols is most mines by troppies in fleets otherwise its very close sales per year

[canucksafari]

The TD4.2 is one of the few motors which I have read that didn't blow when they have been run near dry. I have read a number of posts where this has happened and the owners have put on 100,000s of kms more before they sold or traded in for a newer GU. Most engines once overheated bad are on their last legs. Overheating like shortymav says is a rad full of mud, a bad thermostat or a dry fan clutch -just maintenance.

However, the NA TD4.2 won't win any speed races but it just might make it to 1.2 million kms if I treated with regular maintenance.

They are also built strong to take expedition mods. I have seen many a fine looking expedition modded patrol. Just have a look around patrol4x4.com if you don't beleive me.

Patrols are a true utilitarian's vehicle, which makes them 10,000s cheaper than their Toyota counterparts. They don't have the bling gadgets but what they do have will take you across the outback and back home.

[4Rescue]

The TD4.2 is one of the few motors which I have read that didn't blow when they have been run near dry. I have read a number of posts where this has happened and the owners have put on 100,000s of kms more before they sold or traded in for a newer GU. Most engines once overheated bad are on their last legs. Overheating like shortymav says is a rad full of mud, a bad thermostat or a dry fan clutch -just maintenance.

However, the NA TD4.2 won't win any speed races but it just might make it to 1.2 million kms if I treated with regular maintenance.

They are also built strong to take expedition mods. I have seen many a fine looking expedition modded patrol. Just have a look around patrol4x4.com if you don't beleive me.

Patrols are a true utilitarian's vehicle, which makes them 10,000s cheaper than their Toyota counterparts. They don't have the bling gadgets but what they do have will take you across the outback and back home.Yeah, I've heard of and seen the motors in action (remember, I've been to the holy land and wheeled with alot of these trucks we all dream of...) Like I said, the motor is a ripper, and I've never heard of the motor itself crapping out (quite the oposite). But the auxiliary bits and pieces had issues and the fit and finish is not as good (on a "nicer" model patrol compared to a "station" model 75-Ute)

The trucks I'm talking about tend to be completely stripped models with Vinyl interiors and very few ammenities what so ever. The Patrols tend to be big family wagons that are far blingier (not that there aren't stripper models, but again, there aren't any Patrol Cab chasis models that I saw so they tend to be more family/comfortable "foremans" trucks).

I like the Patrols, hell they're better than 99% of ALL of our stock 4x4's here in the States...

[canucksafari]

Yeah, I've heard of and seen the motors in action (remember, I've been to the holy land and wheeled with alot of these trucks we all dream of...) Like I said, the motor is a ripper, and I've never heard of the motor itself crapping out (quite the oposite). But the auxiliary bits and pieces had issues and the fit and finish is not as good (on a "nicer" model patrol compared to a "station" model 75-Ute)

Calling a 70 series Bling is just plain stupid. The trucks I'm talking about tend to be completely stripped models with Vinyl interiors and very few ammenities what so ever. The Patrols tend to be big family wagons that are far blingier (not that there aren't stripper models, but again, there aren't any Patrol Cab chasis models that I saw so they tend to be more family/comfortable "foremans" trucks).

I like the Patrols, hell they're better than 99% of ALL of our stock 4x4's here in the States...

Well, some of us don't have to dream about wheeling these vehicles - we do it every day. :hehe: In terms of Patrol bling it depends on what trim level you have. The deeper your pockets the more bling, but you won't need as deep pockets for a patrol as for any comparable Cruiser. BTW, it would be interesting to know what are the specific aux items that you think had prbs and what are the fit & finish items that you think were not as good as a 70 series?

[kcowyo]

Let's keep this discussion positive.

Some Nissan and Patrol eye-candy for fans of trucks that get out there -

[4Rescue]

Well, some of us don't have to dream about wheeling these vehicles - we do it every day. :hehe: In terms of Patrol bling it depends on what trim level you have. The deeper your pockets the more bling, but you won't need as deep pockets for a patrol as for any comparable Cruiser. BTW, it would be interesting to know what are the specific aux items that you think had prbs and what are the fit & finish items that you think were not as good as a 70 series? You are a lucky man getting to have a Turbo Diesel rig like yours, can't say I'm not jealous...

Nice Pics, those are well outfitted trucks eh...


Well, as far a F/F, it was the rattles and squeeks. The dash and interior was just kinda cheep feeling and it just wasn't put together as well. And again, this was a big 4dr Wagon Patrol and was a very well apointed model as well.

That particualr rig had an Auto that puked it's 2nd gear on us while quite a ways out into the bush. It had been making funny noises I guess all the way out to our station and the owner decided to run it anyways. It overheated and was barfing fluid out of the breather on us then it pretty much refused to go into second.

The other Patrol that had issues was a fairly stripped cloth interior model, and oddly, it was a quieter/better truck IMO (funny how I fell that way huh LOL). It had Fan clutch issues, and acutly really boogered the radiator after a particualrly nasty little dusty road section. I don't know the history of the rig, or how well it was taken care of, but the Rad was full of rusty/dirty crap, and it really started to overheat badly. We limped it into a garage in what turned out to be the last town for a long while (lucky that eh) and flushed it which helped, but still, I think the RAD was toast. It should be noted this rig didn't have the best front bumper, and I think it was taking alot of debris in through the grill on the higher speed sections.

Cheers

[4Rescue]

Are the patrol and the Safari any different? or is the Safari a Model of the Patrol, and how much higher is the interior head room with that raised roof???

[canucksafari]

Sorry, but just expected some specifics if someone who doesn't own a Patrol is going to slag them. Back to the eye candy, here is a good link to a bunch of pics and spec info on Safaris/Patrols/Mavericks: http://english.auto.vl.ru/catalog/nissan/safari/.

[canucksafari]

Are the patrol and the Safari any different? or is the Safari a Model of the Patrol, and how much higher is the interior head room with that raised roof???


The Safari, the Patrol and the Mav are essentially the same. The Safaris are the Troll name for the Japanese Domestic Market. For a couple years, Ford put their badge on the Troll and it became the Ford Maverick - just like the Ford Villager and Nissan Quest thing here in North America. The Safaris most often imported into Canada are the High Roof Gran Roads, but all models of Trolls were available in Japan. In Australia there were very limited numbers available of the a high roof GQ. The high roof in Japan is really a status thing I am told. The roofs are quite a bit higher and are a major pain to park. Importers I have talked with have told me that often the owners have to park them outside of the city and take public transport to get to them becuase there isn't enough high roof parking available in the cities. I have only seen a couple low roof models here in Canada: a SWB Safari and a LWB GQ Patrol imported from Europe. If you see the sill line on mine, that is where the roof is on the standard version. Like I said in other posts, the high roof is nice to get changed in but add a lift and the basket on top and it starts to limit where you can go.

[4Rescue]

Well, I wasn't really trying to Slag tham, I've just had some unique oppertounities to see them in action...

I can imagine that with a basket those things are really high. But I bet it makes it really nice to sleep in the back/get crap in/out.

My Runner with the OME suspension and the basket is a pain as it is. I have to park in the Oversized Vehicle lot at work. It's funny to see a little Toyota next to all of these big trucks.

I've seen the Mavericks, I thought they looked like Patrols.

More pics!!!!!!!!!

[canucksafari]

Here are a few more trol Pics from Auss, Canada, Norway and Russia. Enjoy the eye candy.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2075652989/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2076440800/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2075652783/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2075652731/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2076440576/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2075652551/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2076440370/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2076439738/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2075651769/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13765922@N02/2076439646/

Sorry guys, the pic insert did not work, so just links to flickr. Must be because I'm a newbie... mods?