Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Before everybody thinks I have lost the plot, the subject is right....

Those that know me from the old Nissan forum and the Community forum, will know that I have been wanting to SFA the Sani for as long as I have had it.

Please, no discussing the merits of rather selling and just buying a Patrol, I/We have been through this and it's not an option unless someone has one that they are giving away ..

OK, so the Sani reached a point where a repair on the IFS, after our last mishap at Berakh, will be the same as a FAT portion towards a SFA. On the Community forum we have again discussed the project, and the guys have made it a community project to fix the Sani. Some money has come into the account, but it's never enough when you start looking for the spares.

Strategy:
You would think that it's as simple as slapping a left drop Dana diff under the HB chassis and it's job done. Looking at the guys in the US, it does look that simple. Unfortunately when you actually go out there and look for a suitable diff, the wallet and the ideas don't seem to be on the same planet. No matter at what price I get a Dana diff, my present ration of 4.88 makes it a R5K job to re-gear on top of the price of the diff. Then we either get a matching rear diff, or have adapters made for the Dana to convert from 5 to 6 stud wheels.

So after a donation of no less than two right drop Safari/Patrol transfer cases (one being a dual stick), we decided to go with the right drop option of a Hi-lux or old Safari diff. The Hi-lux matched our ratio we need, and the Safari is a 4.625 which we believe is close enough.

We could have stuffed a hi-lux gearbox and transfer case onto a Gilo adapter, and achieved the same right hand drop, but when the free transfers came into the picture, we had to take notice of this route as a possibility.

We thought we had a set of diffs for R5K, but that fell through at the last moment.

So options are still very open, but there are a few things that I thought some guys could possibly have laying around collecting dust, or still better, just in the way that they may want to get rid of.

If you are not sure what we are looking for, here is a list:

Diffs (I know this is a tall order, but it's on the list either way)
Rear leaf spring pack from a Hardbody or a set of coil springs.
Long shocks to fit under a SFA with around 600mm reach.
Steering links/tie rod
Fuel tank that can be modified to hang down the centre of a Hardbody chassis

The project looks like it is going to have to be broken up into phases due to budget. I am happy to live with a 2x4 for a while, but at least get the IFS cut off and have a reliable front end that does not wreck tyres and at least goes in the direction you are steering.

To achieve this we at least need the diff, the springs for the front and the shocks for front and rear. Cut and modify the sump to take front axle.
Second phase can then be driving the axles. Transfers we have, give us right drop front and rear, so rear diff needs to be replaced. Or we are back to a Hi-lux gearbox and transfer to get the centre rear and right front drop.

You can see our options are very open, depending on what we can lay our hands on.

So if anybody has any items or expertise they can bring to the project at reasonable price, please let us know.

Dave, I'm following this intensely..... Good luck and I wish I could help.

Thanks Ced... The guys on the Forum have undertaken to travel from as far as Rayton and another has "donated" his workshop with facilities in Sasol to do the job.

We just need to have 120% of the bits needed to get the job done in one shot as this is my daily driver. The extra 20% is for those parts that don't work that we really thought would .

It should turn out a very interesting result. I want to try and keep it drivable on tar to at least around 110-120km/h, but fix the steering problems I am having now.

This morning I spoke to my insurance broker regarding the vehicle and what we are planning on doing to it. He was at first a little "iffie" about it until I told him that it's basically just been upgraded to a Patrol running gear. That sealed the deal Lucky I did not mention it may end up with a Toyota diff, the value would have dropped to zero just there

Lots of planning, and I am sure we have missed some stuff. When I last took to it with a tape measure, I realised we would also have to cut the sump or end up with a 30cm suspension lift. So now after all done, I will need to evaluate the capacity of the sump. My diesel mechanic tells me you do not want to go under 6L of oil on that motor, and that is already border line to include an oil cooler into the system.

This is about a 300mm (12") lift I am hoping for something more like this...around 100-150mm (4"-6") lift.

The Safari's diff is 4,875

Check the Owners Manual:

Thanks Kobus, I saw that page that you posted on my thread on the Nissan forum.

That helps us a lot with having diffs that are already matched ratio, and take the rims I already have.

Then to refer back to a thread on this forum, we know who makes the strongest diffs. I would way prefer to have a Nissan diff under the Sani than a Toy. Even if its pumpkin in on the wrong side. My Mom always told me my pumpkin was on the wrong end, but I turned out ok.

OH, what do I call it now when we are done, think I can make a badge "Patani", or "Santrol", or "Safani" or just Pastrami

hahahaha.... you chop....

Hey Dave..... send me the bank details, I want to put a few Rands in the kitty for this. It may not be much but every bit will help.

ricster wrote:Hey Dave..... send me the bank details, I want to put a few Rands in the kitty for this. It may not be much but every bit will help.

Pm sent, thanks.

Done, might take a day or 2 to reflect....

Dave its a pleasure mate, you have added so much information and assistance to MANY of us here and on the old Nissan site, and even on events we have seen you on from the old days. When times are tough, friends are few but I believe here you have MANY friends. There is a great buzz on the Community Forum about this project and I'm following it !!!