Fix 3.0 L TD in 2004 model, or replace engine?

[JG Shields]

Tinus, fair argument and I would definately go for that option if 94kw against 216kw suited me...and make 100% sure of the cost to stick that 4.2D N/A engine in there. It is not as simple and cheap as it may sound. Never the less, the 4.2D N/A engine remains my favourite engine of all engines when it comes to overlanding offroad expedition driving. Fantastic old school reliability.

[Peter Connan]

I am just wondering how much he would lose by selling the car off with a blown engine and replacing the car with a 4.5?

[JG Shields]

Peter, is jy nie nou ook besig om te se dis goedkoper om 'n "straight six" petrol Patrol te ry as 'n 3.0Di Patrol nie? ha...ha..

[Peter Connan]

JG I am not going to say it is cheaper, but it is certainly more fun

But if the cost of running a ZD30 really does include a R65k bill every 250 000 km, then I think it may well be?

[Alex Roux]

Hi all

Thanks for all your advice.
I am at the moment 90% set on swallowing my sentiments and allow my Patrol to move to the dark side. A date for the major organ transplant is already set with Attie in Bloem.
Perhaps the 3Di was not Nissan's finest moment and this is the best of both worlds, i.e. the best engine (Lexus) with the best chassis (Patrol). But I am sure as heck looking forward to what the the car will perform like.
I may be holding a boot sale (rather a bonnet sale to be more exact). That is unless anyone wants to buy the 3Di engine lock, stock and barrel (literally, since the exhaust also goes).
Cheers

[Herrie]

Word die Patrol nou 'n "Patrus"!!

[JG Shields]

Kobus, ek dink hy word 'n LETROL, wat ook staan vir Lekker Patrol!

Good luck Alex. I trust and believe the decision is the right one. Please keep us informed on this project and the final result.

[Herrie]

Solank dit nie 'n Lexrol is nie want dan rol hy miskien soos daai Fortuner

[Tinus lotz]

is there anyone on the forum that has done a conversion like this??????
how does the speedo and instrument cluster work ?
do the guys use the lexus box or patrol ?
i have seen toyota bakkies that works well and hope that the patrol works even better !!!!!
what fuel consumption are you aiming for ?????
ma be a few pics will be nice????
keep us posted !!!!!

[JG Shields]

Tinus, I will try to invite Kobus in Witrivier to join the forum. He is over the moon with his conversion. I am sure he will be able to give us a lot of first hand info. Secondly, Andre Odendaal in Bethlehem's Patrol is in for the conversion right now.

Although I settled for the 4.8 transplant at the time, my investigation pointed to the following results as per your questions.

1. It is prefered to use the Patrol gearbox. Why use anything less than the best...especially if you already have it.

2. Since the Patrol gearbox is used, the speedo works as usual from the speed sencor at the back of the gearbox. This includes all the TCM functions if it is an auto Patrol box. The interface between the TCM and the Lexus ECU is a new setup to ensure proper communication between the two.

3. The ZD30 engine runs at slightly lower revs at same speeds than the V8 Lexus engine. Interesting though is that the difference is less that the difference between a straight six petrol engine (4.5 of 4.8 but also keep in mind the variations between standard manual and auto configurations) and the ZD30. This should results in a marginal overreading of the speedo, but not nessecarily more that a change in tyre size can also cause. This can be corrected (1) by changing diff ratios if it proofs to be required. I do not think that Kobus thought that it was nessecary and (2) through a calibration procedure done by VR instruments. However, I have not seen such procedure done yet and can therefore not comment of the success thereof.

Tinus, your question though hits a very important nail on the head. It is not that difficult to stick the Lexus hardware into the empty engine bay of the Patrol. Many mechanics should be able to do that fairly easy. The challenge lies in the configuration and alignment of all the electronics and the management systems to such an extend that everything works and all the dashbord stuff functions perfectly normal. This is not an average mechanical or auto electrical job and requires very special knowledge and skills. Those guys are few and far between.