New to 4WD'ing and just got me a cheap Patrol!

Hey everyone!

Just bought my first 4WD and its a 1997 GU TB45E Manual. 433k on the clock and it looks like she's been kept really well spending most of her time out on a sheep station in Shepperton.

Last Nissan I owned was a R32 Skyline. Love Nissan. Sold it to avoid getting pinched for hooning many years ago and went euro for the past 10 years. Still euro for my daily, not that I'm driving much due to covid these days.

I wanted a project to keep me from going insane at home and this is it. Surprisingly, there isn't too much wrong with this beast. Recent front smash repair by the looks of it, with a new bull bar but using pre-existing winch. After a good clean, I'm looking at a service, hooking up the winch and lights, flushing the rusty radiator (and probably heater core), sorting out the steering wheel play and checking seals for leaks.

Can't wait to get stuck into it. Looking forward to chatting and sharing with the forum - it looks like a great community.


Attachment 82276

Bonnet scoop on a TB45E? Probably from a 3.0 litre

Mate I was wondering how long it would take for someone to pick that up - bout 5 minutes haha!

Looks like whoever had it last grabbed it for the smash repair.

Your signature mentions a move from the 4500 to a 4200 - how come?

Welcome mate, yeah that bonnet is a different colour so I reckon they found a red one at a wrecker for a bit of Pimp.

The 4.5 is very heavy on fuel ans underpowered for its size. John saw the light and found a TD42. You could consider an LS swap if you like petrol, they are a pretty well sorted conversion these days. Also a Turbo Barra Swap works well too.

Good luck and have fun

Welcome to the forum mate.

Cheers mate - good to know. Looks like this thing was converted to gas not long after it was bought. A mate reckons some of these engines don't tolerate gas well but if its done 433k with it, can't be too bad right?

Welcome mate.

I've got the same as you. Mine has been on gas since 2011 injected system. I've owned it since 2014 and it's turned over 520,000 km. It's my daily and with these restrictions I'm still doing 400km a week, in normal life was was as high as 800 at times. I was told that they are bulletproof motors, but they're underpowered and heavy on fuel yes all true. I would love to do a LS swap, but it drives well and is reliable as it is. I had my brother in it yesterday and he was surprised how easy it kept up with the traffic leaving the traffic lights. No need to boot it to get going. Only downside I have is it doesn't like inclines , long hills on freeways and 3rd isn't enough and 2nd is to much that's in an auto. I've done some trips with the members here and have gone everywhere the diesel have gone. If your planning remote trips get a long range sub tank and plan your stops.

Remember it's a petrol engine with alot of kms, it's going to be a little tried.

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Mate appreciate the heads up! You've got me worried on the "doesn't like inclines" bit though - is that a gearing thing or engine thing?

The more time i'm spending with this car, the more i'm realising there isn't that much for me to do on it. Maybe a universal joint which is starting to go and the cooling system is rusty as, so flush with new water pump and thermostat. Hopefully it stays the course - I'm not winning any races off the line but it has enough go to move with traffic as normal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WoolyKebab

Your signature mentions a move from the 4500 to a 4200 - how come?

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I swapped out the 4500 engine at 136k kms because I needed something better for towing. I did the Xcede chip & extractors + big exhaust but it still wasn't enough and was just too thirsty.
Now I have more power at the wheels than the 4.5 had at the flywheel but still have the 4.5 auto.
Even my wife's Kia Sorento 2.2 has more power than the 4.5 had :)

You'll still get done for hooning with a patrol if you're not careful :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WoolyKebab

Mate appreciate the heads up! You've got me worried on the "doesn't like inclines" bit though - is that a gearing thing or engine thing?

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It's not that big of an issue. In most cases taking out overdrive it maintains speed. I think it a gearing thing, just needs a little more revs. Remember @100 km/h I'm sitting at 1800rpm.

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Welcome to the forum. Since you are looking for things to do, fitting a strengthening kit to the rear spring mounts is a good mod. Especially if you intend to tow off road.

There are a few kits available, either bolt on or weld on.

Appreciate the advice guys - no towing just yet but i'll know to look into that strengthening kit eventually. First question I got asked by a mate who 4WD's was "is it going to be a tourer or a bush pig?" The more I carry on, the more I understand the question.

FWIW WK Mate!
The Blokes with strengthening your rear towers advice are 100% on the money.
Regardless whether you’re towing or not brother the kinetic ‘bush pig’ downward forces will oneday start the bending/cracking, it’s just a matter of time.
Serious design flaw of Mr Nissan’s in the day but hey, he got the toughest drivetrain on the market absolutely spot on, easy fix if caught early enough [emoji106][emoji106]

EDIT: Kinetic....Dynamic, can’t remember :-)
“Bouncing the beast like a Kangawallaby”

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damn you guys were right about the power on this thing. Slowest car I've ever owned! I'm thinking a turbo kit soon, but first up we're heading off to cross the Simpson in July!

G’day mate welcome aboard