1995 Nissan Patrol Safari - Should I stick with it? If so; what needs to be done?

[kingswoodmc]

Hey all - am looking for some advice so would appreciate any help.

I owned a land cruiser driver for ~4 years (80 series); served me extremely well, yet I recently sold it just for a bit of a change (also received an offer that I couldn't pass up)

I've always admired the look of the GQ Patrols. They have that real menacing look. Also I live in Dubai and the locals here swear by the Patrols to navigate the sand dunes.

So I just purchased a 1995 patrol. I don't have pics at the moment but will post soon. Some features:

- Long wheel base
- clocked 400k on the odometer. however if they're anything like land cruisers should have at least another 200k in her, no?
- Manual gear
- No engine or body modifications that I'm aware of (although I'm not an expert in Patrols)

My main gripes so far (and why I miss my land cruiser):

- The fuel tank will not fill up more than 65ltrs. How is that possible? Can anyone tell me if this is normal or is something wrong with the car? What is the expected fuel tank size for this car? I really expected 90 at a minimum
- The fuel usage is extremely bad. I am currently getting about 19litres per 100km! Not very good lol
- Also when filling up, the needle will never hit full... it almost gets there but doesn't quite reach right up. Haven't explored yet if its a simple error with the gauge or something blocking the fuel tank from reaching its limit
- The interior is completely messed up. I bought it from a UAE local and they have this strange habit of customizing the interiors with these god-awful materials and colours (just see the interior of this car for proof!! (http://dubai.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/nissan/patrol/2013/1/10/nissan-petrol-2/?back=dWFlLmR1Yml6emxlLmNvbS9jbGFzc2lmaWVkL2F1dG9z NHg0cy9uaXNzYW4vcGF0cm9sLz9wYWdlPTImcHJpY2VfX2d0ZT 0mcHJpY2VfX2x0ZT0meWVhcl9fZ3RlPSZ5ZWFyX19sdGU9MjAx MyZraWxvbWV0ZXJzX19ndGU9JmtpbG9tZXRlcnNfX2x0ZT0ma2 V5d29yZHM9JmlzX2Jhc2ljX3NlYXJjaF93aWRnZXQ9MCZpc19z ZWFyY2g9MSZhZGRlZF9fZ3RlPSZzZWxsZXJfdHlwZT0mYXV0b1 9hZ2VudD0mdHJhbnNtaXNzaW9uX3R5cGU9Mzc4&pos=3). If I am to keep it I need to re-do the interior
- Body has a few dents and scratches.. not really concerned about that.

Now - I am not the most mechanically inclined (trying to learn, gradually). So can anybody here help me in answering the following questions (or at least identifying what information I need in order to make an informed decision):


Is the fuel usage problem I am having common or abnormal? I'm worried that a) there is no fix, just have to live with it; or b) very expensive fix. I will take it to the garage this weekend
Without knowing the history of Patrols very well, have I selected a good model year (1995)? i.e. Should I give the car a chance or should I sell and move on (fully realise the bias of asking the question on this forum, lol)
Given the interior and minor exterior damage to the car; do you think its worth persisting with? If I keep the car, I would be spending a fair bit on modifications (bull bar; new suspensions, new tyres, considering an additional fuel tank - not sure yet... etc etc). So before committing on these modifications I'd like an informed opinion whether its a car that's worth it

----
Final note: BIG Apologies for the long-winded post and for questions that may be ignorant! I purchased it for dirt cheap; am very interesting in getting to know the car better and your help / advice/ opinions will be much appreciated

[kingswoodmc]

Sorry I'm not sure how to edit posts. I just noticed that I wrote Safari in the thread title; whereas I don't actually think its the Safari edition.

[Lewy]

Gday,

Mate what motor dose it have in it??

[kingswoodmc]

Gday,

Mate what motor dose it have in it??

Hey mate and thanks for the reply. Its a 4.2litre petrol engine.

[kingswoodmc]

Here are some pics I've just snapped

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/35.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/36.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/37.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/38.jpg

[kingswoodmc]

pics part 2:

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/39.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/40.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/41.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/42.jpg

[Lewy]

Looks tidy!! As for the fuel consumption I'd say its not far of right for the 4.2 petrol. I have not had much to do with the TB 42 but from what I have heard they are very thirsty!! Going from an 80 to a patrol must have been a shock on the interior lol I too went from 80 to Gu patrol but had to get top of the line just to be even close to matching the comforts of my 80 lol. But I so LOVE my troll!!! Hopefully some one with more info will be along soon to help!!


Just seen the other picks and wow that interior is a shocker!!!

[kingswoodmc]

Cheers mate. Yeh so far in terms of comfort the land cruiser wins out but comfort is not high on my list of priorities :P;

but the fuel consumption has been the biggest shock. For one, my old landcruiser came with two tanks that all up fit around 140litres. Actually now I think about it, its not really the fuel consumption thats the shocker - could just be the size of the tank. Firstly, I live in the land of oil so price of petrol isn't a top concern - its just not fun filling up every second day and I worry take it out in the desert and being stranded even with the jerry can lol.

[kingswoodmc]

Just seen the other picks and wow that interior is a shocker!!!

haha - yep. am thinking to rip it out then have hard plastic floors fitted in; and replace the seat covers. door and roof i may keep as-is

(if i keep the car that is :P - which is what i'm hoping someone here can help me decide :)).

[Rustyboner81]

Haha yeah mate you werent wrong about the interior. :eek:

GQ2 hey 4.2EFI
you need to lift that bad boy.
Keep thread updated buddy

:D

[Wine_maker]

Once I read the story: one guy bought a car and also was surprised that fuel tank always contain only 1/3 of fuel from normal volume.
Then he unmount it and found this

http://s.ekabu.ru/78/82/4b/78824b7361a9276e2bf5f3ca5fea085a.jpg

http://s.ekabu.ru/85/21/30/8521304df82c5d91426e480a611e2d81.jpg

http://s.ekabu.ru/a6/be/44/a6be444182df47de4a67584bb1af7f5f.jpg

[Wine_maker]

This car was used for contraband cigarettes from Belorussia to Poland and other European Republics.

[taslucas]

This car was used for contraband cigarettes from Belorussia to Poland and other European Republics.

Haha that is quite extraordinary!

[MudRunnerTD]

It should have a 90lt tank in the back and if your really lucky a30 lt tank under the driver.

How are you determining that you can only put 60lts in it? How do you know it's empty? Just off the gauge? You may have a dodgy fuel sender and trying to fill a tank that still has 30lts in it??

You have the fuel injected TB42 I think which should be a good thing. Bolt a turbo to it ;)

[Clunk]

Yep as MR has said, your tank should be 90ltrs, your fuel consumption is around the norm, some of us get a little better economy, some of us worse. Best way to know what sort of Km you can do on a full tank, is to fill up a jerry can, fill up your fuel tank and go for a nice drive until you run out keeping a note of your mileage on the odometer...... Hopefully that works lol.


I saykeep it, get a 2" lift kit put on, change that lovely interior and enjoy one tough 4wd.

Don't stroke it, TAP it!!!!.....

[kingswoodmc]

Cheers guys -

Lol @ that picture of the smuggled cigarretes. Now i'm excited to see

Anyways it seems the consensus is to persist with it, and go ahead with interior fixes; suspension lift; possibly turbo fitted (am I right in not worring about the 400k odometer ?).

My progress will be slow but will try to keep the thread updated.

[93patrol]

get a compression test done and if your compresion is pretty close to standard you should be fine, these engine whether they are petrol or diesel can last for near on ever if you do need a rebuild in the future it would be a hell of a lot cheaper over there than here. there is another guy on the forum who lives over that way and he had his gearbox rebuild for $1200aus

[MudRunnerTD]

Best way to know what sort of Km you can do on a full tank, is to fill up a jerry can, fill up your fuel tank and go for a nice drive until you run out keeping a note of your mileage on the odometer...... Hopefully that works lol.

I was going to say exactly the same thing. Take extra fuel and drive until you run out! even if you just do that during your normal week, carry the extra 20 on the back door and drive until it runs out, you might be surprised.

As 93Patrol said, get a compression test and start bolting up mate.

Good luck.

[scottyo]

dat interior

[albone90]

keep the old girl!!!