2 months with the Patrol

[10G]

I've had my first Patrol for 2 months now and I've discovered a few things.

It's a 2013 Y61.

All my driving is country driving. I've found that the fuel consumption is much better sitting at 100km/h (95 on the GPS) that at 105 km/h (100 on the GPS). My old D40, it made no difference between 80 - 110 km/h, the fuel consumption was the same.

I've noticed the traction control is fairly invasive. This is the first vehicle I've had with TC. I've always felt like the vehicle was being nipped and tucked as I bounced along the roads in south west Vic. I turned the TC off yesterday and noticed the steering was not as wandery and the vehicle seemed to travel & ride more freely. I wonder if the TC can be OFF as default and not on.

I've noticed the traction control has made a huge difference when slipping in mud. I've been in goo twice when I was expecting to get stuck, but somehow the vehicle kept moving, it could only have been the TC (I have stock road tyres ATM).

It needs a 6th gear. The D40 had 6 gears. The Patrol would be great with 6 gears, it would bring the 100K GPS based speed down to about 2000 revs instead of 2400. From what I've read the YD25 & the ZD30 have the same block (I'm no expert, no mechanic, this just what I've read), I wonder if anyone has tried to mate up the 6 speed out of a D40 to the ZD30 in a Patrol?

That's about if for now, just thought I'd throw it out there in a post.

[10G]

And the turning circle is much better than the Hilux and the D40 I had before the Patrol.

[rusty_nail]

nice to hear your enjoying your truck mate!

[10G]

Yeah thanks mate, I'm loving it.

[threedogs]

And the turning circle is much better than the Hilux and the D40 I had before the Patrol.

what turning circle its easier to go around the block lol lol

10G I take it you have a manual my DI auto sits on 2000rpm
@ 100kph,

[10G]

Oh mate, the turning circle on the D40 was atrocious. I reckon it would take a complete 4 lanes to do a U turn it was almost embarrassing. The Patrol is way shorter/tighter.

Yep I've got a manual. I drove the 6 speed Nav almost every day for 5 years and am used to changing gears by the sound of the motor. More than once I've been in 5th in the Patrol and gone to shift into 6th.

Is that 100kph via the GPS or via the dashboard? I have standard tyres on so in that respect I'm still at factory sizes and speeds.

[10G]

Took TC (my Patrol) out this afternoon up to the local flex spot. I was really impressed with how the Patrol went over everything I pointed her at with barely a wheel slipping. It's a good 3" lift I put in her. I'm really happy with the truck, better than I was hoping for.

[BigRAWesty]

Hey 10g. Glad to see your enjoying the patrol. .
The gu has a wicked turning circle. . I feel your pain with the old cars, the old GQ needed 4 lanes to turn in. Made backing trailers interesting lol..

Anyway the traction control..
Unfortunately many say it is a write pita with anything other than a stock lift. Even blokes with 2" lift say the notice it trying to take over..
Haven't read if it can be disabled, I would doubt it as it is a safety feature..
So it may be just get into a habit when on the highway switch it off..
But it's is a huge advantage off road especially with an open front diff. It'll force drive to the wheel with traction by applying the brakes to the spinning wheel..

I agree that yes fuel economy is much better at 100 over 110, about 3L/100 I've found..
But that's what all my cats have done..
But I don't think the need a 6th gear..
At 100kmh your in the early area of peak power..
So if you sink the boot in its not long before it's full power and off you pull..
The peak power is between 2500-3000rpm in the manual.

Keep enjoying I though..
Cheers

[the evil twin]

A set of 33's will;
increase your speed to RPM so that will give you '1/2' a gear IE about 2250 RPM at 100 KPH GPS.
increase your ground clearance by 25mm (a lift only changes entry exit and rampover).
look better, and
slightly increase fuel consumption (maybe 1/2 a litre more per 100)

[Fwdpatrol]

Traction control in my MY 15 model, was horible in stock form
It would take over going around a rounda bout and cut the accelerator
It is the worst item i have ever seen
At least i can turn it off

The so called Nissan engineers simply have failed as have Nissan in general with over 15 years of the current GU patrol evolution Things that should have been fixed and enginered have had nothing done
Example rear spring towers should have been reenforced as it is a know issue.
But nothing.
The GU patrol has the base to be a fantastic vehicle especially off road but has been left behind by Nissan in action.

[bazzaboy]

Traction control in my MY 15 model, was horible in stock form
It would take over going around a rounda bout and cut the accelerator
It is the worst item i have ever seen
At least i can turn it off

The so called Nissan engineers simply have failed as have Nissan in general with over 15 years of the current GU patrol evolution Things that should have been fixed and enginered have had nothing done
Example rear spring towers should have been reenforced as it is a know issue.
But nothing.
The GU patrol has the base to be a fantastic vehicle especially off road but has been left behind by Nissan in action.

Totally agree with you. The TC in my 2014 is down right dangerous. I switch it off at all times except on mainly straight freeways or tollways. I had a bad experience on a fire trail once when in 2wd. Nearly pushed me off the road on a corner when I was only doing about 40klms. Bloody deadly. At least it cuts out when in 4wd.

[10G]

I'm fairly sure the TC remains on (you can turn it off) in 4WD high. It does turn off in 4WD low automatically.

[10G]

Example rear spring towers should have been reenforced as it is a know issue.


How real is the problem with the rear shock towers? I've read bits and pieces, what sort of load can be carried before they begin to become a problem?

[the evil twin]

How real is the problem with the rear shock towers? I've read bits and pieces, what sort of load can be carried before they begin to become a problem?

Usually no problem at all if you stay below GVM and don't drive like a tool on the tracks.

Problem is that the payload of a Patrol is so low almost every vehicle that has Steel bars, Winch, Long Range Tankage and a set of Drawers goes over GVM as soon as one person gets in.
Add a couple of people and the gear when you go tripping and maybe a Camper or Rooftop tent or gear on the roof rack and most 'loaded' Patrols you see on the road are 200 to 500 Kg or more over GVM.

If you are into giving the vehicle a bit of a hard time (nothing wrong with having a bit of fun if that is what floats ya boat) then reinforcing the towers and/or laminating diffs etc is the way to go

[10G]

So where do the towers give out? Is it up the top where the shock would push up and pull down?? Or someplace else??

[mudnut]

They rip the welds from the side of the chassis. MudRunnerTD posted some pics of a tower failure, along time ago.

One bolt on solution http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?31415-New-Bolt-In-Rear-Spring-Tower-Brace-Kit-GQ-amp-GU&highlight=tower+failure

The only problem I have with fitting these is that I have a 2" lift and the extra width of the plate will raise the rear beyond legal height, with out an engineering certificate.

[MudRunnerTD]

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2016/08/29.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2016/08/30.jpg

Those are pics I found online.

Vvvvv these are from my GQ

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/images/imported/2016/08/31.jpg

[10G]

So it's the coils and not the shocks. Gee that looks pretty crappy.

[10G]

That looks like the sort of thing you could get a bolt onable kit for to fit before that problem occured. It doesn't look like it would need alot of extra strength & support.

[MudRunnerTD]

That looks like the sort of thing you could get a bolt onable kit for to fit before that problem occured. It doesn't look like it would need alot of extra strength & support.

Yes there is a couple of bolt in kits. Click on the link Mudnut posted above for info about n the Bolt in kit.

[mudnut]

Another bolt on solution. https://www.superiorengineering.com.au/superior-coil-tower-brace-nissan-patrol-gqgu-wagon-no-body-lift-10673

I will have to do something with the towers soon as the passenger side one is about 10-20mm closer to the body.

[mudnut]

MR, are those pics would be good in a sticky thread, if they aren't already.