Patrol to Cruiser now back to Patrol again!
Hi all,
This is more of a reintroduction, I've been a member of this site for 6-7 years now but was off the forum for about 3 years while I was cruising. Now I'm back to Patrolling again!
My first Patrol was a GU1 TB45E, I loved it, apart from it being thirsty it was solid as a rock and got me all across Oz except for W.A.
Unfortunately it had to go, a reluctant sale, my wife and I planned a round the world trip and needed more room so the Patrol made way for a 94 Troopy.
Dam did I miss my Patrol after getting into a fully leaf sprung troopy! Anyway we spent a bomb rebuilding and setting up that car but it doubled as our home for 1 year so served its purpose nicely. We traveled through 30 countries in Europe and Asia but sadly never made it to Africa due to health complications.
After returning to Oz the troopy just wasn't cutting it as a two seater, it also has shocking fuel consumption after having an auto tranny and aftermarket turbo charger fitted. I'm paraplegic so can only drive auto. So sadly it was time for her to go.
Just last weekend I bought myself a MY08 GU6 CRD with 175,000km and lots of tasty extras. I flew from Sydney down to Adelaide to pick it up, doing a little road trip through the Flinders Ranges on the way back.
I have to say I'm not that impressed by the Patrol.
While it performs really well offroad, I was really hoping for decent fuel economy on the highway after owning two guzzlers. Best I could get, on the Outback Hwy (almost dead flat, straight and nothing to stop for) was about 15l/100km. I was sitting on or below 2500rpm just trying to cruise.
It also sounds horrible on cold starts!
Adding to my disappointment noticed a really bad shudder between 3rd and 4th, thankfully my mate and I got that sorted after changing the ATF and adding some lubeguard instant shudder fix (works wonders!)
So now after a little research I'm pondering redoing the fuel system, injectors, pump refurb and checking the pressure relief valve on the fuel rail. With the Km on it I'm hoping this may be contributing to the high fuel consumption and rough cold start, I was kinda expecting this may need attention before I bought it.
I think that if I can get the fuel issue sorted I may be a little more happy with the car, but don't want to be shelling out thousands without results.
Anyway it still feels good to be back behind the wheel of a Patrol again!
