Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi Patrol owners

Great to meet you all! Below is the "introduce myself template," followed by some questions from my side :)

1. Name: Full Name (Nickname/Registered Name)
Kyle Porter, Kyle P

2. Birthday and Age:
18 May 86 - 34

3. Town and Country of residence:
Somerset West, ZA

4. Home Language:
English

5. Occupation/Business:
Business Owner

6. Family status:
Engaged

7. Membership - Other 4X4 Clubs and Forums:
FJ Cruiser club (WhatsApp) 4x4Community, Land Cruiser Club SA

8. Current 4x4:
FJ Cruiser

9. Current Mods:
Bilstein Suspension, 3" lift, Outback Roof console

10. Mods on wish list:
The above on a Patrol!

11. Vehicle on wish list:
Nissan Patrol 4.8 GRX

12. Previous 4x4's:
Ford Ranger 2x4, FJ Cruiser

13. Last 3 offroad or overland destinations:
Tankwa, Tankwa, Oyster Bay (Brakkeduine)

14. Your favourite destination:
Tankwa

15. Other hobbies:
Neighbourhood Watch

16. GPSr and Map Data used:
T4A, Garmin Nuvi

17. Rate your 4X4 and overlanding experience:
Medium

18. Online Photo Site:
N/A
19. Photos of you and your Vehicle:
Will upload



So, I'm thinking of selling the FJ to buy a Patrol 4.8 GRX. 2011, with about 110k on the clock.

1) I know the Patrol is about 20% heavier on fuel than my FJC, not concerned

2) Is my understanding correct that the Patrol 4.8 GRX is part time 4x4, ie rear wheel drive only on tar - there is no lockable centre differential?

3) On the FJC, in low range, A-TRAC can operate on the front wheels while rear diff lock is engaged - this is nice, as you get TC on the front axle, without the issues of cornering, that would come with a front diff lock. Can you use low range + TC + rear diff lock on the Patrol?

4) I understand you can lock the outbox to not go higher than the selected gear, ie 3rd, which is great for dune run ups?

5) How is Nissan service cost? The FJC at Toyota is about R1500 for a normal service, with an expensive one every 40k kms. Expensive is about R8k-R10k.

6) Are there any good places (Nissan or otherwise) to service a Patrol in the Cape Winelands?

7) Where do you guys mount your VHF / UHF radios? On the FJC (without roof mounted crawl control) I imported an Outback Roof Console which I love! I will really miss this about the FJ, with the VHF mounted neatly away on the roof, if I do sell the Toyota

8) Can you fit 285/70R17 muds on the Patrol without a lift? I love my Yokohama G003 Muds, and they only have about 13000 kms on them, so will definitely keep these if I do sell

9) Do all 4.8 GRX's (2011) have sunroofs?

10) Does the GRX have catalytic converters? (The FJ guys remove these, but I didn't on mine)

11) Overall, is the traction control good on the Patrol?

12) I've read about the Patrol having a powerful / dual aircon (for the Middle East market) - what is this, and does it apply to ZA Patrols?

13) If you moved from an FJ to a Patrol, please share your experience with me!

14) Is low range best for thick, hot sand, like in the FJC?

15) Does the Patrol have a reverse camera / reverse *beep beep beep* (sonar)?



Thanks guys, and hopefully I can make the move over! :)

Kyle

Edited - spelling

Welcome Kyle

2) Correct. The Patrol is an old-fashioned part-time 4x4.

3) I don't think the Y61 has traction control of any sort? If it does, it is very rudimentary and not in the same league as the FJ's. The Y62 is a different matter. That's TC is superior to the 200 Cruiser's.

4) It has but I don't think it will hold the gear if you run into the rev limiter for an extended period?

5) See 6

6) Tour de Frans on this forum.

7) With the modern radios which have all the controls on the handset one can mount the radio just about anywhere?

8) Yes, you can even go a size bigger.

9) Yes, as far as I know.

10) Some do, the earliest ones don't.

11) Y60 and 61 Patrols rely mostly on articulation.

12) It has separate fan and controls for the rear-seat passengers. Yes, it does.

14) Yes, definitely.

15) Not factory fitted, but many have them fitted as aftermarket extras.

You need to understand the mind-set.
The FJ is a relatively modern car with modern electronics, which make everything work.
The Y61 is an old-school mechanical 4x4 in which mechanical reliability is the driving feature behind the design, fitted with a more modern electronically-controlled engine (but tuned to be able to operate on lower-quality fuel).
The Y61's running gear, suspension and axles are conceptually unchanged from the late 80's.

It's a different type of car for a different purpose.

Kyle if you want to sell the FJ, please let me know. Thanks

Welcome Kyle

I too stay in your hood. Your FJ doesnt happen to be that one with the blue company graphics does it?

I used to own a 4.8 but sadly had to sell it as the consumption did not suit my needs. As a family we loved it and were very sad to let it go, easily the best 4x4 iv owned(not that iv owned many). Thankfully iv got myself a GQ diesel so back in a Patrol.

Regarding services etc, there are a few options.

• Frans Fourie in Bellville

• Allan Venter(Cant remember area)

• G-TEC in Noordhoek

All members on our WC whatsapp group.

Good to hear theres a potential Patrol member joining me in SW, we used to have Ernie but sadly he has moved to Nambia. Look forward to meeting up

Cheers Jade

Welcome boet!!!

Welcome Kyle,

As Peter mentioned earlier, the Y61 Patrol is the kind of beast that has enough electronics to keep you on the road, but not enough to drop you in the ____ if something goes wrong. The Y62 on the other hand is an entirely different beast, and with the FJ being a more modern vehicle the Y62 will compete alongside the FJ. The Y61 Patrol will take you into anywhere and get you out the other side. There is almost a ton weight difference between the Patrol and the FJ, that's probably just the weight of the Patrols solid front diff....haha... but it will have a very different ride feel to your FJ.

100 000Km on a Patrol means it has just run in. Servicing a Patrol is easy to do yourself, or as mentioned there are a few guys in the Cape who can do it for you. I know Frans Fourie in Bellville, as he helped me rebuild my motor myself up in Jhb with valuable information sometimes late in the evening. and I had to visit him and let him tinker a little with my Iron Maiden when I've drove down to visit my folks in the Cape. That man knows his stuff, and bigger gentleman you will never meet.

So... Sell the FJ and come on over to the fun side.

Peter, thank you for your VERY comprehensive answers. It is much appreciated! Given me much to ponder :)

Peter Connan wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021 10:32 Welcome Kyle

2) Correct. The Patrol is an old-fashioned part-time 4x4.

3) I don't think the Y61 has traction control of any sort? If it does, it is very rudimentary and not in the same league as the FJ's. The Y62 is a different matter. That's TC is superior to the 200 Cruiser's.

4) It has but I don't think it will hold the gear if you run into the rev limiter for an extended period?

5) See 6

6) Tour de Frans on this forum.

7) With the modern radios which have all the controls on the handset one can mount the radio just about anywhere?

8) Yes, you can even go a size bigger.

9) Yes, as far as I know.

10) Some do, the earliest ones don't.

11) Y60 and 61 Patrols rely mostly on articulation.

12) It has separate fan and controls for the rear-seat passengers. Yes, it does.

14) Yes, definitely.

15) Not factory fitted, but many have them fitted as aftermarket extras.

You need to understand the mind-set.
The FJ is a relatively modern car with modern electronics, which make everything work.
The Y61 is an old-school mechanical 4x4 in which mechanical reliability is the driving feature behind the design, fitted with a more modern electronically-controlled engine (but tuned to be able to operate on lower-quality fuel).
The Y61's running gear, suspension and axles are conceptually unchanged from the late 80's.

It's a different type of car for a different purpose.

Francois, sending you a PM shortly

Francois Theron wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021 10:49 Kyle if you want to sell the FJ, please let me know. Thanks

Thanks for the welcome JTEC!

Mine isn't the water one - I do know which one you are referring to though. Mine is black with massive 285 Mud Terrains - usually dirty from some trail or another :)

Thanks for the list. Saved to my records.

Kyle

JTEC wrote: ↑15 Feb 2021 11:55 Welcome Kyle

I too stay in your hood. Your FJ doesnt happen to be that one with the blue company graphics does it?

I used to own a 4.8 but sadly had to sell it as the consumption did not suit my needs. As a family we loved it and were very sad to let it go, easily the best 4x4 iv owned(not that iv owned many). Thankfully iv got myself a GQ diesel so back in a Patrol.

Regarding services etc, there are a few options.

• Frans Fourie in Bellville

• Allan Venter(Cant remember area)

• G-TEC in Noordhoek

All members on our WC whatsapp group.

Good to hear theres a potential Patrol member joining me in SW, we used to have Ernie but sadly he has moved to Nambia. Look forward to meeting up

Cheers Jade