Advice needed, No idea what to get.

[4WDbug]

Hi guys,

I am new to the forums and have recently fallen in love with 4 wheeled driving after going with my uncle a few times.
Now guys, i have a budget of $8000 for a 4wd 7 seater, I am leaning toward something like a 1999 patrol 4.5 litre petrol or a 2.8l diesel. Now i am sure you guys are aware that all i can afford will be a very high km patrol i.e 250,000kms to 350,000kms.

What i am afraid of is having to spend large amounts of money for repairs like new engines etc. I am happy to maintain the vehicle with appropriate servicing etc just dont have thousands to spend all at once.

Basically my question is would a patrol of either 2.8l diesel or 4.5l petrol with 300,000+kms be reliable or am i am i likely going to have to spend thousands on repairs?

Or should i just keep saving and by something newer with less kms.

Also forgot to mention that i would like to use it for Moreton, , double island point. Mainly beach driving. I would also like to checkout glasshouse mountains.

I am just scared that a patrol with these k's will need a rebuild or major work sooner rather than later and after just buying our first house definitely dont have the money, to be dropping thousands at a time.

Thanks in advance guys.



Regards Joe.

[Winnie]

Hey mate, for that price you are starting to look into a 4.2 Diesel GQ (pre 97) Patrol.
It is older but more reliable than both of those motors. Although the 4.5L petrol motors are fairly reliable too.

[4WDbug]

Thanks winnie, I have read that throughout the forum, however my wife really hates that shape patrol.

[Winnie]

Thanks winnie, I have read that throughout the forum, however my wife really hates that shape patrol.

Well then I guess your hands are tied!
My personal choice between the two you have suggested is the 4.5L petrol

[4WDbug]

Well then I guess your hands are tied!
My personal choice between the two you have suggested is the 4.5L petrol

Do you think a 4.5L Petrol with 300,000kms will need major work sooner rather than later?

[mudski]

I'd look at the RD28ti GU. A bit underpowered, but a few tickles can get these going ok. There no powerhouse regardless but I know a few guys with them and they do everything I have done in low range. Just out on the highway they are a bit of a slug.
If you look at any RD's, ask them about the front harmonic balancer and if they have changed it recently. These motor are renown for shearing the keys in the shaft and then the balancer spins freely costing you a small fortune to fix. If they haven't and you buy one, get a new balancer bolt kit and change it over. Actually I'd probably would do it regardless if it were me. Peace of mind.

300thou on a petty would be nearing the end of its shelf life maybe. Depends on how well its been looked after too though. I caught a cab a few months back and his Falcon had 550thou on the clock. The driver said it hasn't missed a beat and doesn't use or drop any oil. But he said it gets an oil change every 3 weeks due to the amount of k's it does...

Just be patient and look for one with a rebuilt motor, or a grey nomad is selling it. Don't fall in love with the first one you take for a drive.

[MudRunnerTD]

The 4.5 is a solid motor but thirsty. As long as you don't want to drive it 1000kms a week commuting to work it will be manageable. Just be prepared for high fuel usage. It is Injected and a good motor though.

The 4.5 is cheap to replace if you had too but get a compression test on it and go for it.

If you can find something that already has a bit of fruit on it will save you thousands too. A 2" lift, a winch bar on the front, a roof rack, 285 (33s) tyre a would be a bonus.

At $8k your at the bottom of the GU market though to be honest.

If you are keen and in a hurry then grab a GQ with some mods to get you out and about, save a little more coin then sell the GQ for what you paid for it and find a 4.8L petrol. Now that's fun. And better on fuel.

Good luck and enjoy.

[4WDbug]

Thanks guys for the input. With the 4.5L petrol how thirsty are we talking. My ford territory gets about 15L/100kms. Which i find reasonable. Are we talking double or???

Sorry if i offend anyone but i have heard the 2.8L or 3.0L diesel referred to as a "grenade". Are these smaller diesel engines notoriously unreliable or...?

[MudRunnerTD]

The early ZD30 3lt is the one to stay away from and your right in that market. The RD28 is a 6cyl and is a pretty good motor if it's been looked after.

The 4.5 could be in the high teens day to day and 25 to 30lt/100 on the beach.

[threedogs]

I'd think you would be getting about 18/100k driving carefully.
Most would probably be dual fuel giving you further savings

[4WDbug]

So i Guess its between the 2.8L diesel or 4.5L petrol. In terms of engine life and longevity, is there a general consensus on which is more reliable and long lived?
Am i crazy thinking i can get a vehicle which such high k's and want it to be free from major engine problems?

Also what would the 2.8L diesel be getting per Litre.

Just want to say thanks again guys for the advice.

[happygu]

I would head towards the 4.5 Petty if fuel consumption isn't an issue for you, as I think it will, for the majority of cases, be the most reliable.

The 4.5 is fairly bulletproof, and it is built well, although it isn't fast ..... they aren't a speed demon without a bit of work and a Turbo, but neither is the 2.8 either ....
Most guys say the economy is anywhere between 15 - 20 L per Hundred K's.


The 2.8 is fairly reliable, with the loose / damaged keyway on the harmonic balancer shaft being the most expensive re-occuring problem. The next biggest problem is the head gasket which, at around 200,000 klms, seems to be fairly common fault also.

The 2.8 is going to be around 12 - 13 L per Hundred K's, so you will save around $5 per hundred k's at current fuel prices.



Do the calculations and go from there, but you should be able to buy a good one at a good price, and then move it on if you then become ready to get something else or fuel costs get too much for you.

[4WDbug]

I'm really thinking that a 2.8L diesel will be a better option as it will become my daily driver.

Do the 2.8 diesels have a long life generally or is 300,000kms generally time for rebuild. I definitely dont have the money for rebuilds etc.

[Plasnart]

Try to talk the mrs into a gq 4.2 diesel. If she can get past the looks (not sure why personally) youll have a bulletproof 4x4 that will give you years of touring. Most bulletproof engine in the patrol range, turbo or sluggish naturally aspirated. Limited electronics, old style mechanically injected workhorse. 300k donk is still new for them. My 2001 GU (GQ had same donk) turbo 4.2 diesel gets 13l/100 and eats hard work. My opinion, try to get the mrs to accept a gq body for a beast of a vehicle.

[happygu]

I'm really thinking that a 2.8L diesel will be a better option as it will become my daily driver.

Do the 2.8 diesels have a long life generally or is 300,000kms generally time for rebuild. I definitely dont have the money for rebuilds etc.

Well maintained, the diesel motors will go for 500,000 klms, but try and get one that has had the head gasket checked and/or re-done, as well as the Harmonic Balancer checked.

My tip is to ring the previous owner, using the details off the window rap sheet, as this will enlighten you as to if the previous owner got rid of it to prevent having to spend dollars in the near future... or if it is a good one in his eyes ... if he has traded it, or got rid of it, he will no vested interest in hiding any potential problems

Diesel Motors are more expensive to pull apart and work on - the dollars can add up fairly quickly, but there are now lots in the wrecking yards, which can make things a little cheaper. Petrol motors are generally cheaper to work on and repair, but probably only by one third for more minor repairs.

My thoughts are to test drive both, and then look for the cleanest one you can find - interior and exterior ( You can generally tell if they are kept well, or just tarted up for sale by the closest detailer - stains in the upholstery and carpets / dirty marks all over the headlining, etc )

There are heaps of 4.5 Litre Petrol models for sale ... not as many 2.8 D, so you could take it that there are a lot that didn't make it this far, or that people don't want to sell them ....

Some 2.8 Litre D examples, possibly near you ...
http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Nissan-Patrol-1998/OAG-AD-12757471/?gts=OAG-AD-12757471&gtssaleid=OAG-AD-12757471
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-Patrol-1998/SSE-AD-3996200/?Cr=94
http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-Patrol-2000/SSE-AD-3607045/?Cr=154

[4WDbug]

Thanks so much happygu. Alot to think about. hmmmm.

[LostBenji]

Now while I never had a RD28, my brother did. He done a few mods like Intercooler, 3" exhaust (yeah, I know, Overkill), Air filter, pipe work but he also did the ECU. Now while these things are smaller in displacement, they are strong. He was able to go anywhere the ZD30's TD42's, TB42's, or the TB45's went and use less juice doing so.
With the right love, more boost down her throat and understanding the power curve, you would do OK with the the RD28 to be honest.

[jay see]

I can only speak of the 4.5.

With $8k you should be able to pick up a decent one.

I swapped a 2001 VX wagon with 195xxxkm in good nick plus $4k, commo was worth about 2-2.5k and that was a little over 2 years ago.

Mine has been on gas (direct injection) since 2011, it has 285xxxkm and shows no signs of getting go. I think it really has a lot more km going by the mob that did the gas install. If that's the case I'm still happy with it. Only down side for me is the gearing 3.9 ratio doesn't have enough rev, on hills I kick off the O/D and it pulls well.

I'm probably going to get shot down for this, but I'm like your Mrs not a big fan of the look of the GQ. The 4.2TD is the ants pants, but I too was limited to a lowish budget.

Anyways, happy searching and good luck.

[jay see]

He's one

https://m.facebook.com/groups/1666712883574131?view=permalink&id=1791818994396852

Where are located

Sent from my XT1033

[LostBenji]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc7-oi8CXiw

Had a laugh at this thing going off.

[Mike02Ti]

I was just in the same boat as you. I went looking around everywhere, caryards, gumtree, carsales etc.
I could get a 3L in the earlier years. Didnt want to run the risk as most had done 200k to 300k.
The 2.8 interested me but didnt suit what i wanted to do eventually (tow something decent) again similar kms to the 3L
So the gq patrols were popping up with the TD42. I passed as i wanted a bit more comfort for the kids as well as myself. Also didnt like the dash layout at all.
So that left the TB45. Most i looked at were already on gas. Similar range in kms to the oilers.
Turning point for me was not really having much to do with diesels and knowing pump rebuilds or replacements arent cheap i decided it was going to be a Petol version for me as i can do most of it myself.
I looked about and actually found a late 02 gu3 Ti with a TB48 that had done 280kms . 2nd owner so i got full service history too. Paid 7k for it. Loving the 5 speed auto.
As far as economy. Just done 400kms hwy driving on gas. Used 89 litres of gas. So roughly 22l/100kms. Still had useable gas left in the tank too. Roughly $64 worth of gas.
Sorry cant give petrol yet as i havent done my full tank run.
Keep looking they are around. Just got to keep lookingm
Was also another one i looked at but passed up. Was an 01 gu2 Ti with TB45 or 6500.
Anyway hope this helps