Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Im looking at buying a 4.8 auto with 100 000km. What should I look out for and how reliable is the autobox on these Patrols.

I will also be servicing the Patrol. Besides oil and filter what else should I check or replace.

Hi pdasilva,

Ive had my Patrol for almost a year now. Please see this link for Q&A before I bought my Patrol. http://www.patrol4x4.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=2641

Fuel consumption is 3.5 - 5 km/l depending on what you are using your Patrol for and fuel you use? Other than that it puts a big smile on your face when you floor it. When doing the last mentioned do not look at the fuel gauge as it goes like a speedometer in negative direction as your rev and actual speedometer climbs to positive, this might make you depressed.

So just concentrate on the acceleration?

Hope you find a good one, at Centurion Suzuki there is a 2007 4.8 GRX for about 250 000. I haven't had a look at it so I wouldn't know in what shape it is?

Good choice

I also service mine myself and I would do the following to any second hand one:

• Change oil
  Change fuel filter
  Change spark plugs
  Change air filter
  Change belts
  Check front wheel bearings for play & adjust
  Check all suspension bushes for play & wear
  Flush radiator and replace antifreeze mixture
  Replace brake flued
  Fill fuel tank

That's it - the gearbox is tuff and excellent with the tiptronic function but you should replace the oil around 120k km.

Get it - you will not be sorry

My 4.8 has just got over 200 000 kms on the clock and ticks like a swiss watch. As the guys have said it is heavy on fuel, but the comfort and the trust that you can go anywere makes up for this. I had all my flueds replaced last year after I had it " pimped", and this December I did a lot of travelling in it and wow this is a Machine. At 3 Provences in Volksrust I just drove where I wanted and she went without any trouble. Did a 4x4 track near the Swazi border and the owner was concered that we might have problems when I phoned him for permission to drive there. He asked if I had a proper 4x4, but at first I just said my one does have low range, this still did not convince him and I was not to eager to say what I was driving. At last I had to say and when I mentioned it was a Patrol he said, " o een van daai goed, hulle is tough", jy kan maar met plesier gaan. Staying over in Dullstroom we parked in the mainstreet to visit the shops, suddenly there was n flurry and the guys were around the Patrol. What you will find when driving a Patrol is that most 4x4 guys ignore you, they pretend not to see it is a Patrol. The biggest culprets are the Toyota guys, they know we have a mean machine. When you get to a tough course then you find those nervious guys come and talk to you and ask if they can drive behind you for incase they get stuck. This has now in a short period happened to me twice. Once on the go I try and duck them as I am not the "towtruck". You can and will only have fun with your Patrol, so but one and enjou your travels

Good choice. Make sure it has not been abused.
I have had my Patrol for almost 6 years now. I have never been sorry I bought a 4.8 Patrol. I average a fuel consumption of 18.3 l/100km's.
Hopy you have lots of fun with it.

I have owned both 4.5 and 4.8.
The difference in fuel consumption is negligible, but the difference in power is obvious.
The tiptronic box is amazing!
Only problem I ever had was with the 4.5 when the 5th gear stripped - too much towing in 5th.
When towing with the tiptronic just park it in 4th manually and leave it there.
Never a hiccup on the 4.8.
You will not be sorry!

David wrote: Change oil
Change fuel filter
Change spark plugs
Change air filter
Change belts
Check front wheel bearings for play & adjust
Check all suspension bushes for play & wear
Flush radiator and replace antifreeze mixture
Replace brake flued
Fill fuel tank[/list]

That's it - the gearbox is tuff and excellent with the tiptronic function but you should replace the oil around 120k km.

In addition to David's list I would add the following:
Change the diff oils and gearbox oils every 30,000 - IF you are the kind of guy that makes the machine work very hard on tracks. Otherwise follow the service manual intervals, which are far less frequent. On the gear and diff oils, if you are doing it yourself, please do not overfill it. EWven Nissan tends to overfill it. If at any time, you open the top plug and oil runs out, it is too full, putting the gear housing under pressure and heat up.

I bought my Troll second hand and I do not no how it was driven previously, but I had to replace my knuckle bearings at one point too.
Bearings eventually go on all machines, even on Trolls, and should be checked.

Thanks for all the advice guys. I currently own a 2005 3.0 DI manual with EGT gauge,catch can and intercooler fan.

Thus far the car has been awesome but would like to upgrade now to the 4.8 for the extra power and the extra fuel bill.

I was just not sure how the auto compared to the manual but it seems that they just as reliable.

If you do 4x4, then the auto is cheating

I prefer manual because it is more fun, but require more driving rather than being driven.
Auto is more forgiving on a steep uphil.
The manual Patrols have bigger rear diffs than the autos (260 vs 233). I would like to think that this makes them even tougher.

You will miss the economy of the 3di
I know I do. And that is with the Lexus Petrol, which is supposed to be a little lighter on fuel than the 4.8

OK , I have had a looked at a Patrol for a very good price and under 90 000km on the clock with Nissan service history up to 45000.Problems that I picked up below that i need to fit the bill for.

The dash will need to be recovered.
Right mirror needs to be replaced as the housing is damaged.
Rear aircon knob is missing.

Anybody have these parts lying around and a decent place to have the dash recovered?

Thanks.