Gu iv 2006

[Lemo79]

Have been wanting a patrol for some time now, and after research on here over 12 months ago had convinced myself that with our budget a 4.8 2002-05 was the safest option for my family. So been looking on and off for a year now and have come across a GU IV 2006 3.0l that is on the money, great looking unit, excellent condition. Regular log book service at Nissan dealer, be it every 20k, original owner serviced in between? Was a family wagon like it will be for us. We are really keen on this vehicle and would add egt and boost gauges and add a catch can(thanks for the info on here) for starters. My question is the vehicle has 137k on it now, is it not to late for this motor yet? We are on a tight budget and would love it to be reliable. Is there other things I should look out for in this model.
Thanks for your help.
Lemo.

[Mikees]

Lemo, I purchased a 2005 ZD30DI from new, regularly serviced, had a Safari chip from fairly early on. No significant increase just a bit nicer to slip through the gears. Did the full NADS at around 120,000km with gauges, manual boost control, blocked egr, gauges, 3" exhaust, bigger intercooler, tweaked the chip on the dyno to a safe tune etc. Head warped at 133,000km. Fixed. Warped again 178,000km. My rig is heavy and I towed a 2t off road van for the latter 60,000km. I'm told the later 2009+ Patrols have most all the bugs ironed out, but I'd be sceptical. There are plenty of others that detonate for a range of other reasons and many by old retired guys doing the lap as part of retirement (no modifications).
I'll never know whether the delays of the NADS was a direct contributor, but I suspect not. Performance additions possibly. I reckon this engine has a number of design limitations, heavy towing is not its strong point and it is already highly tuned - note Nissan never upped the power when they moved from the DI to CR.
I'm sure there are others on this forum that have had a good run from there ZDs but there are plenty that haven't. The people I deal with tell me these engines are good for 150,000km and that fits in line with my experience. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you will always be carrying a risk. A low km later version that hasn't done any towing might be ok .... maybe.
You can always ring Patrolapart in Lilydale Victoria for an independent opinion. They specialise in Patrol servicing and do a lot of 3.0 rebuilds or 4.2 conversions.

[Lemo79]

Thanks Mikees, that's the sort of info/experiences I was looking for.

[threedogs]

Only thing I've noticed on the 4.8s is a need for a larger radiator for towing and 5th gear seems weak.
Other than being thirsty a Sequential gas injection system would keep fuel costs down, fuel figures of 25/100
not uncommon. Bullet proof drive train .plenty of power that's for sure, I have 200k from my 2004/3lt TD Di without any major
mechanicals I NADDED mine at 180K, returning 12.8l/km , and drives like new,

[oncedisturbed]

I have an 09 4.8 and yup, it's thirsty. As TD mentioned, 21-25/100 on average but it does have power up it's sleeve

[FNQGU]

remember you can always buy one with a blown engine in good nick and throw in a reco 4.2....or better still a 6.5. But that might reset all your research...

[Lemo79]

So we bit the bullet and hopefully pick up our 2006 GU IV ST 3.0L tomorrow, only have the 1 pic so far so will ensure to take more when I manage to prise myself, or my wife, from the drivers seat long enough.
Feel free to offer suggestions as this is our first 4WD & diesel. It will be a people mover, replacing our Faithful Tarago, and our tow rig for camper trailer. Hopefully getting us to some more exciting places.
Unfortunantly the budget will be tight for a while, but hopefully we can afford enough diesel to get out there with it soon.

[Dave n xanths gu]

Same as my truck... How many Kms??? And if u don't mind what was the price??? I got my 06 st-s at police auctions with 76 on the clock for 27500 back in 09... Bloody bargain, I shopped around for a while... My neighbour got same year st with 90 on the clock n paid 38000... So far so good, hasn't really let me down yet(fingers crossed) few minor things here n there... Auto or man??? They don't really love towing... Good luck n I hope u have a lot of fun with the rig...

[Lemo79]

Same as my truck... How many Kms??? And if u don't mind what was the price??? I got my 06 st-s at police auctions with 76 on the clock for 27500 back in 09... Bloody bargain, I shopped around for a while... My neighbour got same year st with 90 on the clock n paid 38000... So far so good, hasn't really let me down yet(fingers crossed) few minor things here n there... Auto or man??? They don't really love towing... Good luck n I hope u have a lot of fun with the rig...

It's a manual with 137k on the clock, $25k best nic for quite a few that we've looked at for the price. It's getting the 140k service, wheel bearings done and a few minor things done before we pick it up. From a Nissan dealer. How many K's has yours now? Is there things we should look out for? Our campers only 1t, hopefully shouldn't be to bad for towing?

[Dave n xanths gu]

I just done 170k service today... Mine is auto, sounds good for a clean manual... Autos run away too fast goin down hill in 1st low.. Did u go for a run in 4wd??? Mine did have a shudder after going back to 2wd, even know the green light went out it felt like it was stiil in 4wd so I stop n rock it from drive to reverse n back again... I dont think the cops used 4wd very often... Wheel bearings getting done is good... Mine wanders to the left pretty hard... My camper is 1t, loves hwy but hills drain it even with the chip n exhaust...

[Lemo79]

This one also had a slight wander to the left, they are also doing a wheel alignment which I hope rectifies that. I gave it a run in 4L and did some tight left and rights then back into 2 then straight onto tar and it felt fine. Hi highly doubt it has spent much time in 4wd looking at it, but all seemed good. I was concerned about diesel and hills, considering our old 2.4 tarago has pulled the camper around many on climbs, reduced weight in camper though. I figured now if I'm driving one it won't it won't frustrate me any more, I'll be at the same pace.

[daggy]

I just done 170k service today... Mine is auto, sounds good for a clean manual... Autos run away too fast goin down hill in 1st low.. Did u go for a run in 4wd??? Mine did have a shudder after going back to 2wd, even know the green light went out it felt like it was stiil in 4wd so I stop n rock it from drive to reverse n back again... I dont think the cops used 4wd very often... Wheel bearings getting done is good... Mine wanders to the left pretty hard... My camper is 1t, loves hwy but hills drain it even with the chip n exhaust...

A lot of the ex Qld Police Patrols were speed camera cars and while they have low kilometres they have high engine hours as they were running whilst parked on the side of road for hours at a time.

[threedogs]

@ Dave clean your MAF sensor and re install when dry, Blocking the EGR also helps.
Wandering to left pretty hard would suggest tyre pressures, 40psi hwy and 35 around town.

Seems too many are paranoid [me included] about the ZD30, I've done 200,000 trouble free, except for an alternator
throwing up some error codes and larger exhaust causing limp mode, cured with NADS, I'm more than happy
with my Di 3 lt auto, Drives and looks like new. 12.8/100 with 305 muddies gotta love that

[Lemo79]

Thanks for the positives Threedogs, makes me feel comfortable with the purchase. Just can,t wait to pick it up, looks like tomorrow.

[Dave n xanths gu]

Hey daggy, I done a lot of research before n after buying my truck n it was riot squad... She still has a red interior light n barcodes inside the doors... When I first got it (before the bush pinstripes) u could see the checkers n police writing all over it, it even had riot squad on the new plates when i done the hwy dash to qld... I will post pics when I get a chance...

[Dave n xanths gu]

*nsw plates

[rochjas]

Same as mine truck... They look fantastic in the black... I hear you about the $$$.... I just buy a litte at a time and before you know it, you'll have the tourer you have always wanted.... Mine had 140km on it when I got her... now looking down at 160km.... hasn't missed a beat.... Just about to NADS it... Have already done Pyro and Boost Gauges...Had a snorkel fitted arond 3000km ago... Also started using the Diesel Power fuel additive and the 2 stroke oil.... She is running better then ever...Enjoy you black beauty

[threedogs]

You'll find it a tad thirstier than the Direct injection. will benefit from an EGR block and a chip, a 2.75 exhaust seems to suit them best also.
Normal mods like catch can and an EGT gauge to let you know whats going on along with boost gauge. I like having the gauges as I can see whats happening on hills when towing
and I can back off to keep EGTs in check.. Its a peace of mind thing for us Di owners. Its a neat mod and one I'd highly recommend.

[Lemo79]

Thanks Threedogs, the gauges are the first things going in, we like the autron gauges and the pilar pods, then probably onto a catch can.

[Lemo79]

Hey all, thanks for the reply's and support. Picked the Patrol up yesterday arvo, now camped at our house full time. Love it. When we can stop driving it I will get some pics and start a thread over in the My 4x4 section. Posted a thread on cloudy headlights tonight in the Body and paint section if anyone is suffering this prob.

Thanks.
Lemo.