Help with first 4WD (Nissan Patrol)

Hey,

I'm looking for my first car and would love to get a Nissan Patrol and mainly use it for off-roading up north (Western Australia) and going down to the beach with mates to fish and adventuring out with other mates who has 4WD. I've been looking at multiple Nissan Patrols (Listed Below) and would like if anyone could tell me which models to choose and what cylinder configuration i should go for (4cyl / 6cyl etc.)

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/beck...sel/1169317730

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/pert...km-/1170861106

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sout...eoi/1169880658

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/midl...ter/1167831835

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/mado...ol-/1167093135

Fair bit of selections and price ranges but if i could get an understanding of what i should look out for it would help me out dramatically, i'm currently looking at the condition of it's interior/exterior, how many KMs the engine has clocked, modifications done towards the vehicle, year (I heard that 2000-2002 model Nissan Patrols are not the best mechanically)

If i could get help that would be fantastic!

Cheers

most important is service history mate,i like the first one for price....the last one for looks and the extra's,i go and try and get first one cheap as and add the extras yourself..cheers

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Originally Posted by Avo

most important is service history mate,i like the first one for price....the last one for looks and the extra's,i go and try and get first one cheap as and add the extras yourself..cheers

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Thanks i'll definitely ask for service history of the car i take interest at but also another question, say i get the first one (Personally i like it due to the price and it seems to be in a clean condition) but if i wanted to add the extras 1). would it cost me more than saving up for a $25k 4wd 2). Is it actually doable by yourself with limited knowledge currently and if not do you know any places in Perth that are reliable to do those kind of extras (Lift kit etc etc)

cheers

the cars you put up are all capable,if you want to go hard n need a locker n shit,they all can be saved up for.
go price an e locker n the other stuff,

you can add stuff as the budget allows matey...if you choose the cheap one,use it,see what you think you need,might only need half of whats on the other..
bought a 2010 gu 4 yrs ago,spent as much as we could and then thought once we figure what we use it for add the bits slowly,so far...roof racks roof top tent.light bar and a uhf,,stock as,get us most places.i do look at me mates and pic chicken tracks.....

if you are keen to learn you can download the manual from here,nearly everything is covered,and there's always heaps of help here

I agree, first car get the vehicle you think you want first. A Patrol in stock configuration is a very capable vehicle. Drive it, learn what you need then add the fruit as you go. You'll get much more satisfaction building your own rig up to what suits you (plus the experience and knowledge that comes with doing that) than buying something already with everything, some of which won't suit you.

Buy a stocky mate and build it yourself. Much more fun, and then you can say "This is mine."

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Originally Posted by Plasnart

I agree, first car get the vehicle you think you want first. A Patrol in stock configuration is a very capable vehicle. Drive it, learn what you need then add the fruit as you go. You'll get much more satisfaction building your own rig up to what suits you (plus the experience and knowledge that comes with doing that) than buying something already with everything, some of which won't suit you.

Buy a stocky mate and build it yourself. Much more fun, and then you can say "This is mine."

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Cheers mate will defs be looking into the stocky as a first car and see whats happens from there

First one is probably the pick of 'em IMHO (dunno what the go is with the leather floor tho).
33's Dual battery are pretty much gimme mods that everyone does.
It's a dealer car so I'd be trying to get it for 14 something as a fairer price for a GU seriesVI.

2nd prize would be the 4.8 if you are happy to keep the fuel up to it but its overpriced for its age, has got low K's tho

I don't like any of the others... if you are going up north you don't want LPG, its as dear as ULP/Diesel if you can even get it.
A couple are waaaay over priced and/or too heavily modd'd.

Pretty much agree with others in that go for stock or close too it IE 33's, 2 inch lift, exhaust mods are so common you could almost call it stock anyway.

If those vehicles are an idea of your budget then I would go for a GU series VI or later 3.0CRD or a good TD42 (rare but they pop up)
Dont get a dual fueller or a GQ if you have $15K or more to spend

I also think the first one is the pick of the bunch almost blank canvas to create your own weapon

I loved my GQ, but I wouldnt pay drug money for one like those advertised, no matter how much I like them

first cars are great, except getting used to the size of them at fuel browsers (my son)

my MK, GQ and current GU do not have lockers, and its never stopped me from going where I want to go...... they are handy things, but not really a necessity....

most important things to buy now would be a decent snatch strap, tyre compressor and decent tyre gauge
once you get the car - which ever one you end up getting, then see about rated recovery points front and rear (just incase you have to get someone else out)

as gets stated all the time - NEVER use a Towball as a recovery point, its not worth your life

any questions you may have, our very own learned colleague ET is the man for technical stuff

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Originally Posted by the evil twin

First one is probably the pick of 'em IMHO (dunno what the go is with the leather floor tho).
33's Dual battery are pretty much gimme mods that everyone does.
It's a dealer car so I'd be trying to get it for 14 something as a fairer price for a GU seriesVI.

2nd prize would be the 4.8 if you are happy to keep the fuel up to it but its overpriced for its age, has got low K's tho

I don't like any of the others... if you are going up north you don't want LPG, its as dear as ULP/Diesel if you can even get it.
A couple are waaaay over priced and/or too heavily modd'd.

Pretty much agree with others in that go for stock or close too it IE 33's, 2 inch lift, exhaust mods are so common you could almost call it stock anyway.

If those vehicles are an idea of your budget then I would go for a GU series VI or later 3.0CRD or a good TD42 (rare but they pop up)
Dont get a dual fueller or a GQ if you have $15K or more to spend

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Cheers mate, so currently going to go look at the 2008 GU ($16k One) and try bargain for $14k and hopefully get it in the coming week so till then i'll be looking into what catches my eyes and would interest me in modifications terms

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Originally Posted by Bigcol

I also think the first one is the pick of the bunch almost blank canvas to create your own weapon

I loved my GQ, but I wouldnt pay drug money for one like those advertised, no matter how much I like them

first cars are great, except getting used to the size of them at fuel browsers (my son)

my MK, GQ and current GU do not have lockers, and its never stopped me from going where I want to go...... they are handy things, but not really a necessity....

most important things to buy now would be a decent snatch strap, tyre compressor and decent tyre gauge
once you get the car - which ever one you end up getting, then see about rated recovery points front and rear (just incase you have to get someone else out)

as gets stated all the time - NEVER use a Towball as a recovery point, its not worth your life

any questions you may have, our very own learned colleague ET is the man for technical stuff

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Thanks mate, i'll definitely look into lockers, snatch strap, tyre compressor and a tyre gauge and learn how to use everything appropriately. I've made up my mind on getting the "blank canvas" purely because of the price and also it would be a good chance learning everything i need to know about 4WD.

Hello, and welcome to the forum. Another cheap, but essential mod is to extend the diff (front and rear), transfer case and gearbox breather hoses to the top of the fire wall. This prevents water being sucked in and contaminating the oils. With luck, this has already been done on your new vehicle.

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Originally Posted by Jiggy

Cheers mate, so currently going to go look at the 2008 GU ($16k One) and try bargain for $14k and hopefully get it in the coming week so till then i'll be looking into what catches my eyes and would interest me in modifications terms

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Fair enough... going purely by the Ad it seems worth a look for sure but don't be in too much of a rush.
If it is a dud just walk away, plenty more fish in the ocean.
There is no statutory warranty with that one so the Dealer is essentially wholesaling it.

If you like it, pay the bucks and get it independently checked over.

You can expect the Intercooler to be leaking (oily deposits around the core) as the only ones that won't have been replaced or after market so no biggee there.
If you take it for a test drive find somewhere like Roe where you can sit around 80KPH (75-90) for a few minutes to check for front wheel wobble.
Don't let the saley tell you it is wheel balance or normal its not but if he insists it is balance tell him to get it sorted.
You can negotiate fixes up until you buy it but after that you are on your own so beware any "verbal promises".... get it in writing