PDA

View Full Version : Taking the Patrol off the road - for a rebuild



rkinsey
18th February 2013, 12:55 PM
I purchased this Patrol two years ago and have spent $5000.00 replacing the Head, Radiator, Waterpump and sundry other items but unfortunately, the mechanic that performed the work may not have done exactly what was invoiced. Now the car is overheating again due to foriegn material in the cooling system (Fine red mud)<br><br> and a few other issues I have found as well.

I took the Patrol to the boys at West End Diesel a week and a half ago for them to go over and diagnose the Patrols woes. I must thank them for taking the time to have a look at the patrol and give me an honest opinion on what they found. Well they came up with "Rob, if it was us, we would rebuild the motor" and this confirmed what I was thinking as well. They only charged me labour of $165.00 and they did a thourough job too. Thanks again.

So I have decided to take the Patrol off the road and rebuild it properly and repair all the other little things as well and when it is finished, I will have a brand new vehicle. I envisage this to take around 18 to 24 months before it is registered again.

So here is the "Wish List":

* Replace the RD28T with a rebuilt TD42 or TD42i - May need to find a doner car.

* Repair the Warn High mount winch with a new solenoid module and service the brake and clutch mechanism.

* Replace the CVs.

* Replace and service the wheel bearings.

* Service the power steering box.

* Service gearbox and transfer case.

* Service front and rear Diffs.

* Replace Uni joints on drive shafts.

* Replace all 4 disk rotors.

* Install a 2" suspension lift - Nothing too extreme, just need to fit 33" tyres under the guards so that I have a good allround tourer.

* Replace all suspension bushes with polly ones.

* Install extended diff, transfer case and gearbox breathers.

* Install 2 x fire extinguishers - One for the front and one for the rear.

* Add a full size roof rack with Highlift jack and shovel mounts.

* Install 2 x 20" LED light bars

* Install 4 x 8" LED light bars - Allround work lights

* Install a dual battery kit with a DC to AC inverter.

* Install 2 x rear anderson plugs.

I will keep this post updated but the first few months will be planning and information gathering while I save my pennys up.

If anyone has any suggestions, Im all ears!. I have been told to get rid of the PAtrol and just get another one. That may be the quickest way out of this mess but, you are only buying another car with different (or the same) problems and you are back to where you started.

I bought this Patrol for a specific purpose and the body and chassis are in really good nick. Its just the running gear that needs attention. While its off the road I can rebuild it properly and when it is finished I will have a better than new car that I know is going to do me for the next 15 years (because I will look after it)

Steve4wdin
18th February 2013, 01:15 PM
Well Rob, You look like you got your self a hobby. Give us a yell if you need any help.

rkinsey
18th February 2013, 01:19 PM
Cheers Steve. Yep... just another one to go with finishing the house!! Ah, who needs to sleep anyway?!?!

MudRunnerTD
18th February 2013, 01:38 PM
Good luck Rob, junk the polly bushes in favour of Nissan OEM Rubber ones mate ;)

Solid state solenoid for the HiMount is the only way to go.

the front end rebuild of the CVs and Bearings is a winner and will be a big improvement. Terrain Tamer do a great kit. Make sure you do your King Pin Bearings too. while yor doing this you dump the Oil in the diff anyway so your Diff service will be done regardless.

Note you have 4.6 gears in your 2.8 diffs now and they are highly sort after. If your going to a TD42 and not going to run 35s then think about selling your diff centres and chase some 4.1s. DO NOT offer a straight swap of these as your 4.6s are worth heaps more than 4.1s ;)

Good luck with your rebuild mate.

Plan to replace your brake disks at the same time too as they all come off at once ;) Slotted Rotors are a Gem mate ;)

threedogs
18th February 2013, 01:41 PM
Like your thinking you already have a 4x4 that does everything,
Bet a few here would love a brand new "Q" sitting in the garage,
Somebody Stop Me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,please use only the best
available ,if I can help in anyway yell out,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well PM

MudRunnerTD
18th February 2013, 01:43 PM
Given that you need to rebuild your front end, replace your disks an brakes you should give SERIOUS thought to taking off your diffs completely and buying a pair of GU Diffs with some 4.3s in them! Winner! You should find some with less than 100k on them and they wont need a rebuild ;) You will also walk away with Stronger CVs, a Wider track and the best part...... Kick Arse BRAKES all round! You will likely find a set for $2000 or so and maybe look at a GU Steering box too for another couple of Hunge.

Sorry i am spending your money but this would be a much better spend than what you are going to spend on your current diffs to rebuild and service them. You will get at Least $1000 for your 4.6 diffs :)

threedogs
18th February 2013, 01:49 PM
then laminate them as well

rkinsey
18th February 2013, 02:21 PM
Good luck Rob, junk the polly bushes in favour of Nissan OEM Rubber ones mate ;)

Solid state solenoid for the HiMount is the only way to go.

the front end rebuild of the CVs and Bearings is a winner and will be a big improvement. Terrain Tamer do a great kit. Make sure you do your King Pin Bearings too. while yor doing this you dump the Oil in the diff anyway so your Diff service will be done regardless.

Note you have 4.6 gears in your 2.8 diffs now and they are highly sort after. If your going to a TD42 and not going to run 35s then think about selling your diff centres and chase some 4.1s. DO NOT offer a straight swap of these as your 4.6s are worth heaps more than 4.1s ;)

Good luck with your rebuild mate.

Plan to replace your brake disks at the same time too as they all come off at once ;) Slotted Rotors are a Gem mate ;)

Mate. Top stuff!! Thanks for the info. You wouldnt happen to know where I could get the solid state soleniods would you? I will most likely get most of this from the US I think.

As for the diff centres, not sure what Im going to do there yet. I will definately be running 33s when this is all finished though. Which reminds me that I need to post my 4 x Maxiss Bighorns that have barely done 200kms up for sale (probably do a swap + $500.00) as I bought them brand new 5 days before I took the Patrol off the road. Would be a shame to see them waste away.

Maxhead
18th February 2013, 03:00 PM
Sounds like a project and a half. Good luck with it, hope its a smooth job

MudRunnerTD
18th February 2013, 05:12 PM
Mate. Top stuff!! Thanks for the info. You wouldnt happen to know where I could get the solid state soleniods would you? I will most likely get most of this from the US I think.

Type Winch Solenoid (http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313&_nkw=winch+Solenoid&_sacat=0&_from=R40) into Ebay mate
Something like this will do = Winch-solenoid-12V-500Amp-suit-Warn-Ironman-Tigerz-ARB-TJM-T-Max-T-Max-Maco (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Winch-solenoid-12V-500Amp-suit-Warn-Ironman-Tigerz-ARB-TJM-T-Max-T-Max-Maco-/200897016374?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec6653236&_uhb=1#ht_2164wt_1165)



As for the diff centres, not sure what Im going to do there yet. I will definately be running 33s when this is all finished though. Which reminds me that I need to post my 4 x Maxiss Bighorns that have barely done 200kms up for sale (probably do a swap + $500.00) as I bought them brand new 5 days before I took the Patrol off the road. Would be a shame to see them waste away.

Running 33s i think the 4.6s will be too hi. at worst i think you should be looking for some 4.3s but 4.1s would be fine. a 3lt GU runs 4.3s ;)

List your Bighorns on ebay and you should have little trouble selling them or ask the shop you bought them from if they can do a deal for you? they could probably sell them for you or trade them in on some 33s for you ;) you will find they will probably give you a pretty good price for them if they are fresh and so near to new.

Have fun mate

happygu
18th February 2013, 05:39 PM
Nice neat base truck to start from - best of luck with the buildup / rebuild

Mic

NissanGQ4.2
18th February 2013, 05:58 PM
x2 with Steve, sing out mate if you need a hand with anything.

I'm currently in the same position, had someone look at my dirt bike on the weekend and if it sells the Trol will be coming of the road for a few years :(:(:(

Winnie
18th February 2013, 06:03 PM
Does that mean you're not thinking about a GU any more Toddie!?!?!?!

rkinsey
18th February 2013, 06:44 PM
MudRunner your a champ. Cheers mate. I'll list the wheels on here first and give someone a chance to use them rather than watch them waste away.

Cheers,

Rob

rkinsey
18th February 2013, 10:40 PM
Hey Todd.

I will probably get all of the parts together and have a weekend "Working Bee" and put on a BBQ and beers if a few lads want to come over and help me fit a few parts.

Mate if you need any help in researching any parts I'll happily pass on any info you need.

I will be documenting this build from the planning right through to rego and I will post it up here to share with everyone.