Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

I'd like to know more about the replacement of the cam / timing belt for the Patrol. Mine is a 2000 model. I bought it with around 124K km on the clock. It's got 154K km on now. How do I know if the cam belt's been replaced, and when was this supposed to be done? I've got a manual, so doing it's not a problem. A collegue's Audi A4 cambelt went last week, and it will cost him R42 000 to replace the everything.

Has anyone ever done it themselves? Any feedback will be great!! Maybe some old words of wisdom

Thanks

Tjaart, no need to worry. The TB45E engine's camshaft is driven by a chain, so it should last the life of the motor. One of the things that I like about this motor is that it really uses simple technology, which bodes well for reliability. It only has 2 valves per cylinder and they are driven by pushrods from a camshaft mounted in the block. This arrangement makes a lot of sense on an engine designed to develop its maximum power at relatively low engine speeds.

Hi Tjaart. Weet Jy of die 4.8 ook n ketting het?

The TB48DE motor used in the 4.8 Patrol also has a timing chain driving its two overhead camshafts.

What a relief!!

This really good news. Yes, I agree, the 4500 is such an awesome engine and it will really last a life time if looked after properly. There are very few other 4x4's that can say that. It's bullet proof and durable. Very straight forward and very strong. Have you ever spent some time under your patrol and studying where what goes and how well it is designed? Perfect for the application. Super heavy duty diffs, the sump safely protected by the diff. the gearbox and transmission safely tucked away above the gearbox protection plate.

My friend who drives a Hilux has endless problems protecting his sump and transmission from rock and sand and middlemen on two track trails. He had to upgrade his protection plates to 6mm steel,but that added weight and lowered the IFS even further.No such worries in a patrol though. I thought about it once, my Patrol is 9 years old....It had it's ability 9 years back when land rovers were still powered by the legendary nissan 3.0V6 tow truck!! . And today it still goes where the other brands cannot go,ever.

The only real problem is it's length and width, because in some areas you'll pick up a few scratches. I tend to bottom out on very steep ''necks''. In Afrikaans you call it a "hoernekkie". But with OME the problem is solved. The engine and transmission is heavy duty and bullet proof. I've replaced my cracnkshaft seal once, because the mechanic who ''repaired'' my clutch, used a cuuting torch to heat up the nuts in the flywheel, which heated up the crankshaft and damaged the seal. Anyway, the gearbox is VERY VERY heavy. We battled with it. It was a very k@k job, but I'm glad I did it, because now I know things are done correctly and the clutch works perfectly,\better than before.

I'm currently busy constructing rock sliders, but will report back once they're done and will post a few pics. Thank you very much for the information. I'm quite relieved.

Yes, the Patrol is engineered to be just about the most heavy duty 4x4 this side of a military truck. If one compares the drivetrain and undercarriage of just about any of the well known/highly acclaimed 4x4s with that of the Patrol, they generally look decidedly light duty. In some cases they seem to be closer to these little Chana trucks than to the Patrol .

I agree that the Patrol's long wheelbase makes it somewhat prone to hanging up. Like Tjaart said, it is very beneficial to maximize the hump clearance with a suspension lift. The good thing about the long wheelbase is that the approach and departure angles are quite good. For instance, if one compares the Y61 Patrol with the Land Cruiser 100 GX (105 Series), both in standard trim, the Patrol has a 8.8% better approach angle (37° vs. 34°) and a departure angle that is a full 19.2% better (31°vs. 26°), but a 4.6% worse hump break over angle (146° vs. 153°). The Cruiser rides on a 2850 mm wheelbase and the Patrol's wheelbase is 4% longer at 2970 mm.

OT: Tjaart, don't forget to post some pics/progress update of the rocksliders.

Stefan

No problem. I'll start a new post once I'm done. If all goes well, I'll be done tomorrow night. yes, it'll be in Engrish....!!

Sorry for the other Dutchmen like myself. These souties need to learn to talk the TAAL

Hey

These souties need to learn to talk the TAAL

Who u calling a soutie hey ... he he he ... Jus because why I can speak the english tale deliciously doesn't mean I is a island bewoner hey!

Sien uit na daai rock slider foto's - hoe vergelyk dit met rock spiders ? ...