Patrol MK160 SWB Hardtop

[DanS]

G'day,

I purchased a 1984 MK160 SWB Hardtop (4 speed) L28 with LPG as a wrecker to drive to Camerons Corner then sell/wreck. It cost $1500, then I threw in $1000 worth of parts (New wheel bearings, bearing races in the rear, diff seals, shims for the rear axle, bushes, rear swing arm tyre carrier, windscreen, spots, HID lamps) the gas needed re-cert too. I borrowed a friends wheels to pass roadworthy, they were wider than original, so I had to install wheel flares too (also, there was a rust hole that I rust converted, filled and put the flaring over), Also under the drivers seat was significant rust, which was cut out, converted and bogged.



I built and installed a roof carrier, there was no rain gutter on the hardtop for roof racks, I read somewhere that the hardtop was rated to 120kgs and that was all the motivation I needed.



Then, I threw on 3 spare 31x10.5xR15s and had my mates borrowed wheels on (I asked first) and we headed off for Cameron Corner.




We swagged it and had a generally great trip




Except for the three flat tyres, my mate's tyres had been sitting flat for the last 6 years, and the tyres that came with the car were worn past legal tread, also there was a leak in the exhaust pointing straight at the rear left tyre.




But we got there, and the LPG definatley helped keep the price down (we were doing 17L/100kms on petrol and 20L/100kms on gas). We had about 800kms of range with both tanks. Gas stops at Bourke and didn't start again until Charleville. Petrol was $2.20 at Cameron Corner and not much cheaper at Innaminka. LPG was 95c at Brewarrina!

But we got there.




We continued to do Haddons Corner was well




And on the way home we attempted to climb some red dunes, very unsucessfully. The C200 open front diff was doing us no favours and the complete lack of tread didn't help either.


This is where we got




This is where we were trying to get



But we got home in one piece with three flat tyres, I have since put 33x12.5xR15s on. I have a set of Lokka diff locks coming to solve my traction problems in sand, I have had the exhaust pipe and muffler replaced, however there is still a leak in the extractors (3-2-1 2") the leak is in one of the 3-2 groups and too tight to get the stick into, I'm going to try muffler tape because a new set of extractors is $580 and I'd like to go to the skyline turbo anyway (which I can't find anywhere).

Before leaving for Cameron Corner I took the family out in the Patrol to Ballina for some beach driving, since they charge you an arm and a leg to go driving on Noosa North Shore now, and they banned pets! I had quite some difficulty getting off the beach without diff locks and on bald tyres.




The family have come to like it the Patrol bit too. So for a car I was planning on driving into the ground I have spent over $4k and have developed somewhat of a soft spot for the old truck. There is even a chance the Patrol may make a trip to the Cape at the end of the year

[DanS]

It seems the images failed to embed correctly, can one of the moderators help?

[Sir Roofy]

it seems the images failed to embed correctly, can one of the moderators help?

try later tonite maybe
think theres some issues with up loading at present

OH WELCOME ABOARD EJOY YOUR STAY

[growler2058]

G'day mate welcome aboard there is a issue with loading piccies at the moment but will be sorted ASAP

[AB]

Welcome to the forum mate,

I tried to fix them for you but they didnt come out too well...lol

[Maxhead]

G'Day and welcome to the forum mate

[Bob]

Welcome Mate. Join in and enjoy

[Evolution]

Welcome to the forum mate, there's heaps of valuable information, advice and a bunch of friendly people.

[Clunk]

g'day mate and welcome aboard............... and what a fantastic intro, cheers for the pics

[Finly Owner]

Hi and welcome to Nissans Nut House Dan.

Good to have another reliable ol' MQ/MK here.

I have a spare L28 with good extractors for $500.00ono if you wanna come up and get it. Still running in chasis.




Tim