buying a gu nissan patrol on tight budget

[fullbost]

gday im after a gu patrol. I dont want to spend any more than $13,000 still want money left over for mods. Now Im in two minds as what engine to get. Do I get a 2.8 or do I get a 4.5 on petrol/gas. The car will be a daily driver with 4wding weekend at least once a month. Is there much power difference between the two? Any advice would be great.
thanks

[Silver]

TD 42 with an after market turbo in a GQ :-)

[nowoolies]

g`day mate
welcome on board
heaps of laughs and bucket loads of info here enjoy
nowoolies
Paul
p:s piccies we luv piccies

[fullbost]

thanks silver but I am after a gu.

[YNOT]

gday im after a gu patrol. I dont want to spend any more than $13,000 still want money left over for mods. Now Im in two minds as what engine to get. Do I get a 2.8 or do I get a 4.5 on petrol/gas. The car will be a daily driver with 4wding weekend at least once a month. Is there much power difference between the two? Any advice would be great.
thanks

Welcome to the forum.

What mods are you planning? Lift, tyres, barwork etc could easily crack $3,000, you won't get much of a GU for $10,000. With your budget I have to agree with Silver's suggestion.

Tony

[fullbost]

thanks ynot but the $13,000 is for just the car itself. I have seen a fair few gu's in this price range but they are all either 4.5's or 2.8's just not sure what to get.

[YNOT]

thanks ynot but the $13,000 is for just the car itself. I have seen a fair few gu's in this price range but they are all either 4.5's or 2.8's just not sure what to get.

4.5's get along OK but VERY heavy on fuel, also have weak conrods so if you plan to rev the guts out of it expect to eventually see conrods exiting the block at high speed, driven sensibly they are OK. You will get to know your local service station operators on a first name basis very quickly.

2.8's a bit underpowered for the size car but sound really good when you fit a big exhaust with no mufflers. Good on fuel and can be chipped up to produce more power. Plan on a set of crawler gears if you like rock crawling type 4WDing. Cylinder heads are a bit prone to cracking and crank pulley bolts have been known to come loose. RB30/RB25DET bolts up to the same bell housing and engine mounts as RD28, food for thought if you see an RD28 Patrol going cheap with a blown engine-they come up from time to time.

Tony

[fullbost]

thanks tony.
Well after doing afew hours of reading I'm leaning towards a 4.5 dual fuel mainly for the reliability of the engine and apparently a 4.5 on gas is cheaper to run than a 2.8. Also alot less money to fix if something does go bang. Only thing worrying me now is that the lpg tank will cop a absolute hammering becuase apparently they sit pretty low and im only planning a 2" lift and 33's.
But I will no wipe the 2.8 out if one does come up for the right price I may well end up with a 2.8.

[katwoman]

Hi mate, welcome to the forum. I have a 4.5 dualfuel. It's got a 2 and half inch lift. I have no probs with my gas tank at all. But she is pretty thirsty. If you can, get a long range sub tank (petrol) as well. If you tow much or plan to, go the 4.5

[outbackjack]

go the zd30, yes they have had problems, but most sorted now. Just budget for a rebuild at some stage. Any vehicle at that price is going to have high kms etc and even if they dont, they are over 10 years old now

[Clunk]

ummmmmmmmm, is there such a thing as a budget????????!!!!!!!!!

[YNOT]

ummmmmmmmm, is there such a thing as a budget????????!!!!!!!!!

A budget is what we tell the other half it will cost.............

Tony

[Bob]

I have a 4.5 GU on Gas and it is economical on Gas 18 Litres per 100 K's open Road 24L per Hundred around town. If you intend using your vehicle in areas where LPG is readily available the you will get gas at the right Price. Kat is correct in that they need a bigger Tank for Petrol

[teleman]

I agree with outbackjack. my 01 zd30 has never gone wrong. i think you might be stretching it with the budget though, i found it hard to find a GU 99 and up for under $15,000.
Good luck. J

[Boagie]

go for a n/a 4.2 diesel oiler ---cant go wrong

[archangel]

I'm in a similar position... I have 16k to play with. I would like to have something decently economical, so not sure about a 4.5 unless its on gas. (are these too underpowered for going bush?) I'm scared of the ZD 3litre going boom, so perhaps a 2.8 is the way to go?

A friend suggested going with a GU1 ZD3 and just getting it serviced and modded to prevent it going boom? Any ideas on what the required mods would be worth?

[Clunk]

I'm in a similar position... I have 16k to play with. I would like to have something decently economical, so not sure about a 4.5 unless its on gas. (are these too underpowered for going bush?) I'm scared of the ZD 3litre going boom, so perhaps a 2.8 is the way to go?

A friend suggested going with a GU1 ZD3 and just getting it serviced and modded to prevent it going boom? Any ideas on what the required mods would be worth?

Or the other thing you may want to think about, is getting yourself a good quality GQ for around 9-10K, then with the rest use it to put towards future mods or fuel bills...........

[fullbost]

I put a deposit down on a 1999 gu patrol 2.8 its very clean and 100% stock.It's got 260,000kms on it but the engine was replaced with a exchange engine 20,000kms ago the guy had the paperwork to prove it he spent over $5000. Ended up getting it with a RWC for $12,000. So im very happy now let the mods begin.

[Dark 1]

I put a deposit down on a 1999 gu patrol 2.8 its very clean and 100% stock.It's got 260,000kms on it but the engine was replaced with a exchange engine 20,000kms ago the guy had the paperwork to prove it he spent over $5000. Ended up getting it with a RWC for $12,000. So im very happy now let the mods begin.

Good find mate, good luck & don't forget to chuck up some piccies when you take delivery of the beast.

[Woof]

I put a deposit down on a 1999 gu patrol 2.8 its very clean and 100% stock.It's got 260,000kms on it but the engine was replaced with a exchange engine 20,000kms ago the guy had the paperwork to prove it he spent over $5000. Ended up getting it with a RWC for $12,000. So im very happy now let the mods begin.

Well done mate, sounds like a really good deal, can't wait to see some photos..

[Sir Roofy]

i put a deposit down on a 1999 gu patrol 2.8 its very clean and 100% stock.it's got 260,000kms on it but the engine was replaced with a exchange engine 20,000kms ago the guy had the paperwork to prove it he spent over $5000. Ended up getting it with a rwc for $12,000. So im very happy now let the mods begin.

good luck and happy motoring with your new rig mate

[fullbost]

thanks guys ill be sure to add some photos once I get it.

[fullbost]

got a question do the 2.8 gu's come with two batterys under the bonnet standard?

[YNOT]

got a question do the 2.8 gu's come with two batterys under the bonnet standard?

No they don't.

Tony

[fullbost]

thanks mate, well I picked up the patrol today im over the moon so much better than my hilux I had now let the mod begin :)

[YNOT]

thanks mate, well I picked up the patrol today im over the moon so much better than my hilux I had now let the mod begin :)

Let the build thread begin........with photo's.........please!

Tony

[Mooka]

Hey dude, havnt driven a 2.8, but i bought the 4.5, love the car but so does the bloke who runs the servo. only getting approx 430kms to the main tank.(90ltrs) Cant get my sub tank to pump over, so i cant tell you how many kms all up.

[Jared]

Hey mate, i just bought a 2.8 turbo diesel. Has a 3 inch lift and 33 inch maxxis bighorn muddies on her. If your after speed i wouldnt suggest the 2.8 but (using main and sub tank) i can get around 900k's. Costs $150 to fill. I paid just under $11k for mine with 257000 on the clock. Apparently cheap to fix any engine probs too. I am also after advice on problems and such so any help would be appreciated. Jared

[TUCK]

Fullbost. I am interested in the same/similar model that you have gone with, similar budget as well.
Please feel free to provide a commentary on your experiences with the 2.8. I am very interested in your opinion and experiences.

Cheers, Tuck

[fullbost]

hey mate well as you have read I broughr it stock about 3 weeks ago since then iv put 33" muddies steel bullbar scrub bar, winch, snorkle and uhf in.Personally I think they go pretty well I took it 4wding for the day last week and it went great in lowrange. Although I'm getting about 15L/100kms combines city and some freeway which does seem abit much. But all in all I'm very happy with it

[TUCK]

I know of one country based 2.8 GU that is getting about 11L/100KM. That would do less city, so im not sure if 15L/100KM's is to much.

[Jason3]

My mates and I are having a chat about this very thing and we are all in agreance with the GQ suggestion for the money that you are looking to spend. Except for one mate says you should get the Ford Maverick.

[Dirty Driver]

My mates and I are having a chat about this very thing and we are all in agreance with the GQ suggestion for the money that you are looking to spend. Except for one mate says you should get the Ford Maverick.

Didn't they stop making the Mavericks in 92? Might be getting a little long in the tooth... I had an 89 model, great bus although I never called a Maverick. Always called a GQ!

DD

[Shoot]

Fullbost
I have recently purchased a 98 GU ST, 322000 on the clock but had a rebuild at 270000. Already has dual batteries and i picked it up for $8500.00, think i was in the right place at the right time, just had 2 inch OME lift and 265/75/16 Muddies. All the best for your buildup

[suvrd28]

Good luck with it i bought a GU with the 2.8 put a 3 inch exhaust sounds good and made it go better,
Crawler gears will help you save your clutch if your doing rock climbs. The 2.8 isnt the best for going slow over technical stuff.
Mine has head problems now and i will be doing a conversion soon.
I will have a dp chip for sale soon.

[Rosscoe]

I have a '98 GU 2.8 just got back to NSW from a month in SA. Kept all receipts for the trip and the fuel usage is as follows.
Richmond to Wagga Wagga got 16.4 Lts per 100km
Wagga Wagga to Mildura got 15.7 Lts per 100km
Mildura to Adelaide got 14 .5 Lts per 100km all adhereing to the speed limits. However on the return trip sitting on 90 KMPH got 11.6 Adelaide to Mildura, Mildura to Gundagai 14.4 Lts per 100km at speed limit and Gundagai to Richmond following a couple of "bigger engined" fourbys at a lot over the 100 speed limit averaged about 15-16 Lts per 100 seems that the little 2.8 got better the further I went, I dont know why or how but i was very careful with my calculations about fuel usage. This was all, of course highway running.
I have a 3/4 length roof rack and awning fitted full time and carry all my tools and recovery gear in the back
All my uniforms and "gear" to last the month away all added up to a lot of weight, I thought she did a great job.

[bennibopps]

Have just bought 2000 Gu 4.2 turbo Getting about 15L per 100k,s combined. Admittedly only done 1000ks was half tar half dirt. Now i got 33 cooper st maxx hoping fuel bill not go up much. Any one have any idea what to expect?

[Boagie]

My 4.2 n\a diesel is getting just under 10ltrs per 100k !!!!---it was using about 14-15 per hundred ks loaded with about a tonne---not bad eh???-gotta love those oilers..........lol

[Ian2011]

Usually get around 960k from both tanks on my 98 2.8 although I generally fill up before the light comes on, its currently in the shop getting a gas system fitted, hopefully will now be able to extend the range and maybe extend the life of the engine.

[GarryMartin]

A budget is what we tell the other half it will cost.............

Or what you thought you would probably spend before you spent hours reading about what everyone else has got up to with their mods and developed a jealousy streak a mile long.... ;-)

[fracster]

Or what you thought you would probably spend before you spent hours reading about what everyone else has got up to with their mods and developed a jealousy streak a mile long.... ;-)That is the truth, the only downside to this great forum is looking at what some of you guys have done and watching my bank account drop doing similar.............but what the hell....:D

[whastie]

Hi Fullbost - I have a GU (ST) 2.8L TD manual 1998, have owned it since new. Have had no major problems in last 15 years and would not change - does the job well, can be an issue with power when towing uphill, but it effects all.

Has more than adequate power in most circumstances.
I have been to Cape York a number of times and never a problem.


Regards
Wayne