Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

I wonder what happened there…

I might know...

That's my old truck! Im pretty sure of it! I flipped it late last year on the gravel. Funny to see it back on the forum!

I was on a trip up the coast with a couple mates when it happened. We were powering through every corner as you tend to do on the 48s
But not, however, so smart when your going broadside and packed 3.5T. and so our trip came to a dramatic end.

It was literally on the last bend before we'd be back on the bitchumen that I lost her. I hit the S-bend at 115kph 3rd gear 4H Like an idiot. Drifted through the first section smooth and then lost it into the last section spinning counter clockwise a full 270deg with significant forward momentum. All I could do at that stage was keep on the gas with the hope that tyres won't find sideways traction and pray - but to no avail...

Once I felt her lift I knew it was over - She barely touch the side, went straight onto the roof with the driver's A-pillar absorbing most of the impact and actually slid about 8m on her roof and there she stood. But I tell you guys, I would not want to be in any other vehicle in that situation! Besides a scratch on my head all 5 of us came out completely unharmed.

A very sad day indeed. I wanted to keep/or buy back the wreck for parts or maybe a pypkar but insurance paid really well! Gotta love it when it works. I stripped off all the accessories/wheels and got myself a new one just a month later. Lessons learnt!!!

Anyway, as far as the vehicle goes, it's now running(apparently) and still in pretty good shape - maybe not for that price but certainly tempting for spares at least.

What I know:
It's a 2005 GL 4.8 manual
Chassis is perfectly straight
TJM 2" Springs & Shockies - good nick
brand new headlights
black leather interior GL spec - mint
Entire undercarriage unharmed
Rear diff lock busted (since I bought it)
The panels are way worse than they look - roof crushed.
Side damage from recovery work.

I immediately cut the ignition but it still took us about 40min to winch her back on its wheels.

I didn't try start her until a few days later once the oil had drained back but she still wouldn't turn-over. I suspect the crank bearings, the rod bearings, the cylinders, and the camshafts saw plenty of lubrication to survive the ordeal without damage. Once turned rightside-up the oil under the valve-covers should've run to the galleys and drain back through the return passages into the crankcase.

The only real concern would be possible oil in the cylinders. It's unlikely that enough would have gotten past the rings to hydrolock the engine IMHO, but there would be another path if the oil ran unto the valve cover areas and past the PCV valve.

I couldn't get it running. But I spoke to the seller and he says it was running perfectly when he bought it If that's true I reckon they must've replaced the sparkplugs, the air filter at the very least. It's also possible that if some got into the cylinders and got burned it contaminated the oxygen sensors and perhaps even the cat converter, but if that's true it will probably get warning lights, no?

I reckon it's unlikely to have sustained any internal engine damage but I just want you guys to be aware of it.

I hope this information is useful to someone. I feel somewhat responsible to at least share what I know about the vehicle - so there we go.

It takes a lot to kill a patrol and I'm sure there will be someone who wants a go at it!

Thanks for the vehicle background Scott, wish I could get that kind of info for every vehicle I buy

I am looking for a cheap car for the seaside home, just for the purposes of doing the run down to the slipway, up to the shopping centre and so forth. There is part of me that is wondering about the possibility of a 4.8 Cabriolet… But it will probably all cost more than it is worth.

Bring it i have a grinder we make a game viewer out of it.....seats are there put a roof and bobs your uncle

If it was in JHB I would have a go and making it happy again!!

It may be that the only realy issue is the roof
Is there no way one can fix that?
It is difficult to see from the pictures what is left of the roof

Ek sou die dak soos my Safari se canopy maak sodat ek dit as 'n camper kan gebruik!

Pypkar Pypkar Pypkar!

Hell I wish I had cash!