Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

ASPW’s dream of developing the ultimate two-person overlanding machine, resulted in the cruiser that can be seen on his video log below.

The aim was to have a vehicle that requires only 5 minutes to set up camp.

I am not that ambitious. 30 minutes to set up camp woudl be fine for me. Firstly I do not have his budget. I also have a family of five to fit in rather than just two. And unlike ASPW, I am not prepared to cut off my roof for a more convenient easily accessible roof top tent. The Cruiser 70s are not good rollers as it is. Their frame tends to crumble. Now he has, in my view, compromised the vehicle’s structural integrity further. So enough of that. Back to my troll.

Like everyone else overlanding, I want to see how far I can go using the space available on my car, without needing to save up for a trailer. A drawer system, if sufficient, is a much much cheaper route than the offroad trailer. And, I want the system to be relatively easy to disassemble, to put my 6th and 7th seat back in again. And, finally, for added convenience, I wanted a shower.

The result is below. My fridge is only 50 litres. But the fridge draw is such that it can take bigger models, in case I want to upgrade later on. There are four ammo boxes below the fridge. I can take four more above (not on draws and tied down). Alternatively one can use this space for any other stuff, bags, etc.

The water tank is 50 litres, with a pump strong enough to take the water to above head level. And then the barrier between the packing space and the passengers is important in the event of an accident.

I had my Patrol 60th anniversary wheel cover enlarged. Now it can cover a 35” wheel (just in case). It is also now sporting an internal bag for the braai stuff.

To do: I still have a normal RTT (not shown here), and a pop-up tent for the ground. This is perfectly fine, but my preference would still be to have my whole family on the roof. From another recent thread, we know this is doable. But I do want to use the entire roof for this. So this is still a project that requires further thinking/planning.

Also, since we have three children, I would like to convert the central seat belt to a three point seat belt, for safety. This proves to be more tricky than initially anticipated. The system would have to be mounted to the drawer system, as the roof and the seat does not have the required strength for the mounting of the seatbelt. If anyone has done this before, please let me know.

Alex, it all looks great!
Did you build the drwawer system? if so do you have plans available.
Who modified the wheel cover - I need to do that to my one.
Are you planning on having a solar panel - I was thinking about a pull out from under the roofrack?
What dual batteryu set-up do you have?
Looks like the bigger rear door opens wider than the standard - have you somehow increased the opening?

Hi Alex, looks bloody good! I could also not find what I was looking for off the self, So I had one built (originaly was built for my disco but thank goodness it fits in the patrol as well!) I have two draws, a fridge slide, 40 L water tank, second battery (and Monitor) and plugs will try to post some pics tomorrow

great man looks good....

Alex.... That looks BRILLIANT bud.... WOW!!!.... well done !!! I dig the shower setup !!

This looks really good and efficient. I am busy with something similar yet different (have a 95 l dual door fridge to accomodate) and will post pics on completion in about a month.

I see that batteries are mentioned above. How safe is it to have sealed deep cycle batteries in the back? I am assured by Battery Centre that there is zero danger but have also heard differently. Comments would be much appreciated.

Looks great.

I will be "stealing" some ideas here

Drawer system - check finished mine in December
Kitchen unit - check also completed in December - however still need to have Gull wing fitted.
2x Rooftop tents - in the process

I am still looking at a water solution, maybe the one from front runner that comes at the feet of the passangers, depending on its height.

Was thinking of those pop up showers, but yours look like a plan, depnding on solar panel fitment.

Love the fridge pull out, would like to get my hand on something like that!!!!

Was thinking of building a table to fit under the roofrack using connect it and tent poles, is only 25mm thick then and as wide as you want it.

When are we doing a weekend trip so that we can check it out

1) Did you build the drawer system?
2) If so do you have plans available.
3) Who modified the wheel cover
4) Are you planning on having a solar panel
5) What duel battery set-up do you have?
6) Looks like the bigger rear door opens wider than the standard - have you somehow increased the opening?

Hi Chris, see below:

1) I have 10 thumbs. I was only a given a head to do maths with. Everything on these pics were done by Ben at BG autofit and his staff.
2) Ben has the plans. Or rather it is in his head, I think. His prices are in my view very reasonable.
3) Wheel cover also done by Ben's sewing machince man, Lucky.
4) Solar panel: Maybe later. Else I spend too much at one time. I like the idea of it pulling out similar to the camping table, but I also see the need to heat up water during a driving day. So not sure yet.
5) I have the National Lunar system, but it is clear to me that this system is one technological generation behind C-Tech. I have a battery charger working from the wall (Eskom) which helps a lot to extend the batteries' life. I.e. gettgin them properly and fully charged. NL does not charge fully and causes the battery to go through an un-necessary number of charging cycles. Craham Cumminngs has advised me that given the way NL functions, you might as well employ a high cycle battery as the auxillary rather than a deep cycle. If however you are prepared to spend more and have a system that works and batteries that lasts much longer, then get a CTek system combined with a liquid crystal battery (many more charging cycles, and no "wastage" of cycles as the NL system does).
6) I made no mods to the bigger door, it may just be the camera misleading. But I do have Grootseun's smaller rear door extension braket in, which allows the GU's smaller door to open wider. That, by the way, is a worthwhile investment.

Thanks for the reply, Alex.
Can you PM me the cost of the drawer system from Ben?
I have a CTEK D250 and the 25Amp 2500 charger, including a leadcrystal battery, all built into the NL battery box - I am still finishing it off with plugs, fuses etc and will make a separate post on that soon.
I have Grootseuns bracket but have not fitted it yet.

Chris mabe look at sias se drawer system its up for sale?