Just picked up my very first Patrol

[Dan02]

would like to share our new /old Patrol..
2001 GU 4.2 TD
its taken more than a few months looking, and all of the last week to get it home, but finally made it into the drive this arvo... very happy even with the wobble at 85kph and intermittent aricon. 66559

[Makka]

congratulations now the expensive bit starts

[Robo]

Congrats.
And so the build begins,
good luck.

[growler2058]

NiceL Looks like its got a bit of lift already ay

[shai.dawson]

looks nice, now to beef her up

[Bigcol]

looking good mate

whats your first plan of attack at it.........?

[Dan02]

cheers everyone. I'll be honest didnt realise the suspension wasnt stock until someone suggest it looked a little high. had a look and yep shockies have Raw on them... oh well. anyways big picture is around camping with the kids and lots of it hopefully far and wide. So with that in mind will be building it up to suit. thoughts are around the following
lift - or check existing is good
Body rust protection system
uhf
snorkel
roof cage
suitable safety and recovery gear kit
some basic rear shelving
Basic camping gear ... and we are off.
But before all that will have to sort that high speed wobble, check everything by mech, check whats left on the clutch, 5k service, sus out the intermittent air con issue.

[Patasaurus]

Top ride mate. My wobble was fixed with new radius arm and panhard bushes with a wheel alignment.

[Bigcol]

sus out the intermittent air con issue.

was the car running hot at the time -


at the bottom of the Radiator is a thermal switch, when it activates, it turns the aircon off to help cool the engine
once engine temps lower, it switches off again, and your aircon is running fine...............

[Bigcol]

when my old GQ started to have the wobbles, I took the tyres and rims off
got the rims balanced
then the tyres
then re-fitted

no more wobbles

BUT

it could be Anything in the front end causing the wobbles

[Dan02]

ok so its booked in for wheel align this week and a general once over with a grease gun, hopefully they can sus the wobble.. then have to wait to the 24th for new 3inch stainless exhaust fit. by then the awning should have arrived so hopefully get that fitted and any other bits I can dig up.

[Dan02]

was the car running hot at the time -


at the bottom of the Radiator is a thermal switch, when it activates, it turns the aircon off to help cool the engine
once engine temps lower, it switches off again, and your aircon is running fine...............

mate i hope it wasn't anywhere near overheating,,, car empty and due to the wobble only doing 80km so bugger all load and its way out of summer.

[Plasnart]

Hey Dan, not sure if this is your first 4x4 but considering you're planning on Bribie Is, Fraser Is and I presume other beach locations, please be fully aware of the risks of using a towball during a recovery. You may already know this, but just in case you dont please have a read of the link below. We all began not knowing about the serious risks involved with towball recoveries.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?11239-Deaths-from-towballs&highlight=deaths

Be safe and enjoy your new "freedom machine" mate!

[mudski]

BUT

it could be Anything in the front end causing the wobbles

Yep. My fix was to tighten the wheel bearings up a bit more. Lol.


Nice ride too Dan.

[garett]

hi
my fix for the wobbles was swivel hub rebuild. king pins were gone. and radius arm bushes and drag link bushes were also stuffed

[Bigcol]

mate i hope it wasn't anywhere near overheating,,, car empty and due to the wobble only doing 80km so bugger all load and its way out of summer.


in that case, sounds like a loose connection on the Air Con pump
have a look at the wiring, it may be old and just need a clean up on the terminal

if not that, then check behind the dash for loose wiring -
has the radio been changed? maybe didnt put the earth to a good spot

Nissan's are bad for earths - really bad
intermittent faults are usually an earth problem

[4bye4]

in that case, sounds like a loose connection on the Air Con pump
have a look at the wiring, it may be old and just need a clean up on the terminal

if not that, then check behind the dash for loose wiring -
has the radio been changed? maybe didnt put the earth to a good spot

Nissan's are bad for earths - really bad
intermittent faults are usually an earth problem
Bigcol fixed it for you.
66602

[Dan02]

am sure this has been covered elsewhere but just a quick thought - am getting a 3" exhaust system installed soon. Mech says it should significantly improve power like around 20 - 25% over the stock existing one. thought that sounded a bit high or is this a realistic target. also, as the current stock exhaust is still working should i be doing anything else before that.

[Bigcol]

a 3" will be ok, as long as it is a "hi-flow" and also your muffler is a good "hi-flow" one as well

the idea is to get the engine breathing out easier, so, apart from most sounding like 747's at idle, they sound pretty darn sweet as well

even if I do say so myself

[Bigcol]

Bigcol fixed it for you.
66602

dont laugh, I know a guy with a rubber strap from the body to the ground - conveyor belt mind you, steel core - just as an added Earth

[Dan02]

did you notice much difference apart from the sound ? am getting it done at Onandoff Road Brendale. supplied by Beaudesert exhausts in S/S

[Bigcol]

well, I had a very lethargic NA 4.2
I fitted a turbo & intercooler & 3" exhaust all at the same time

tis now fast enough for me to get speeding fines...................................... :(

[blocko05]

Great looking rig mate. Cant wait to see pics of the new mods. It will be interesting to hear the results of your exhaust system.

[Dan02]

Would like to share my experience with anyone interested regarding changes, mods and adventures (hopefully), is it be appropriate to start a new thread charting the evolution of the ... dunno what to call it yet or just keep adding on here.

[Dan02]

just about Thursday, night shift tonight then its straight into mechanics on way home, hopefully will all be sorted. Tie rod ends, kingpin bearings, panhard rod etc all getting a look over. then rust proofing

[Dan02]

Dropped the car off today after night shift. picked it up this arvo' and absolutely no difference regarding wobble. a bit disapointed.
Total cost $500 for 5000k service and the wheel balance \ rotate etc.
Also says
Rear axle bearing seal is leaking which costs around $480
Front right spring sag

[Robo]

Dropped the car off today after night shift. picked it up this arvo' and absolutely no difference regarding wobble. a bit disapointed.
Total cost $500 for 5000k service and the wheel balance \ rotate etc.
Also says
Rear axle bearing seal is leaking which costs around $480
Front right spring sag

IMO, A good place to start is to find a alignment shop that can give you a "print out" of what you have now.
That is, caster toe camber etc.
Then you can compare that against standard specs and go from there.
wobble is a combination of alot, or just some issues,
some just replace the panhard bushes and problem solved.
others panhard bushes, caster bushes, wheel bearings, ball joints, swivels bearings & rims.
Me thinks Its a matter of finding the worst worn component and go from there.

Some tyre balancing machines have a degree of inaccuracy built in, and don't really bal up all that well.
And checking for a bent rim is worth looking at , that will upset the apple cart to.
If the problem has been there for some time, your tyres may be worn out of round.

Think I'll add, rotate n balance your tyres on a regular basis once problem is solved.
ahh before I forget,
Been my experience that the old rule of thumb of 1 deg of caster correction per 1 inch of lift has not been enough to correct caster problems either.
It can depend on chassie alignment , 2 of my patrols have needed 3 deg caster correction for 2 inch lift to get it right, and only then was wobble gone.
And those concave shaped (No Bull) rubber caster bushes can give to much flex and add to wobble syndrome, but some argue extra flex with them for off Rd.
Hope this helps ya out.

[Dan02]

Just gone through the first tank of fuel. 925k's. pretty happy.

[LostBenji]

Just gone through the first tank of fuel. 925k's. pretty happy.
...and that will be the last time you see it like that. LOL

Nah, sounds like you have a project rig now.

A few observations I have made, you live in the city and likely going to be doing a lot of pavement work.


Don't go to nuts with raising her up too high. If the thing has an extra 2 inches, then leave it. Going more just puts you further in the air and more top-heavy which leads to body-rolling every corner.
Air-con is likely more a priority for you, get the gas levels checked and make sure you don't have water in the system (check the indicator site-glasses).
3" exhaust will be a good match for the rig, bigger is just going to drone a lot more with little gain. Speaking of which, the claim of the 20-30% is smelling of horse-shit. 5-15% is more like it.
Wobbles, already covered. Jack each front tyre up just off ground, give it the wobble test, front wheel bearings were my issue and an easy fix.
A lot of the ZD30 mods still apply, oil catch-can, inter-cooling, boost control and increases etc. etc. The TD42 does allow easy fueling increase with the two screws but get the zorst, inter-cooling and boost done first. If you have the factory blow-off popper, it will blow around 13PSI.
Tyres, unless you have a complete set of spare rims, stay with a good road-terrain tyre around the 33" area. Bigger is not legal generally but muddies will see a lot of road noise and shitty handling.

[Dan02]

funny thing is I took it for its first dirt track bash the other day - just to see if she does actually work in all the ratios / drives etc (it does). Next trip on the freeway noticed wobbles completely gone! wtf. I slowed down then back up through the "danger zone" around 80kph a few times but nothing! smooth as. Awsome I thought all fixed so beaut can go back to gettin the exhaust done....a few days later on another trip into town and well the dreaded wobble she come back, Waht ! but at least not as bad as before. So i figured maybe cause its hardly ever been in 4wd the fronts somehow getting bound up or something so off again to dirt track for another quick go in 4wd, then back on the freeway - bugger all difference, didnt bush bash as long as last time though. And so the mystery remains , its in the shop Tuesday for a decent go over of the front suspension by reputable patrol mech.

[Robo]

funny thing is I took it for its first dirt track bash the other day - just to see if she does actually work in all the ratios / drives etc (it does). Next trip on the freeway noticed wobbles completely gone! well knock me over with a feather. I slowed down then back up through the "danger zone" around 80kph a few times but nothing! smoooth as. Awsome I thought all fixed so beaut can go back to gettin the exhaust done.... Well, anyway a few days later on another trip into town and well the dreaded wobble she come back, Waht ! but at least not as bad as before. So i figured maybe cause its hardly ever been in 4wd the fronts somehow getting bound up or something so off again to dirt track for another quick go in 4wd, then back on the freeway - bugger all difference, didnt bush bash as long as last time though. And so the mystery remains , its in the shop Tuesday for a decent go over of the front suspension by reputable patrol mech.

You may find it's the rd condition good level rds wobble may disappear.
Then it can only take a little un even pattern rutting etc in rd surface to set wobble off again.
Hummm m2cw look at rims and tyres for out of round, un-even wear, and caster angles.

[Dan02]

update on the you beaut wagon. Its been a few weeks now and have had some more bits and pieces done , as usual spent a bit too much $$$ so missus will not be pleased when (if) she finds out, but really happy with results so far...
so now have -
Beaudesert 3" exhaust
Boost adjuster box,
Tune to suit changes
Replaced springs all round (raw springs replaced due to sag issue with a couple) proper 2" lift now
Replaced all the drive belts,
Driver door hinge fixed sag,
Radiator pulled out and cleaned, all new hoses,
Dunno what they did underneath aside from remove shims? i think, but the high speed wobble is now gone as well.
Rustproofing re done under body only..
Plus some other minor issues here and there.

All I can say is Wow, oh what a difference a new exhaust and tune make... and how good does that turbo spooling up sound !... and how nice is it to drive without that wobble!! . It really feels like a different car to drive. still getting used to the new power curve and range, and handling. Really happy customer. Now to see how far I can go on a tank.
... and once the under body dries its off to Bribie with the kids, finally Yay

[threedogs]

Good to hear, I reckon you call it Wally just for the WOW comment lol
Now get out there and use it..and dont forget some pics,,,we love pics

[threedogs]

Yep. My fix was to tighten the wheel bearings up a bit more. Lol.


Nice ride too Dan.
X 3 a slightly loose wheel bearing was my wobble.