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30/03/2009
By EWAN KENNEDY
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Patrol is a genuine off-road vehicle, the real thing, not simply a toy. In the eyes of the real four-wheel drivers it stands head and shoulders above most so-called 4WDs that are really nothing more than people movers with a macho stance. Patrols are particularly popular in country areas; on the farm, outside the vet’s surgery, or on work sites be they in the city or country. Anywhere a rugged vehicle is the only option.
It’s not just the boys in the bush that like them, Patrol is also a favourite with suburbanites who want to do some heavy-duty towing. The big Nissan makes light work of caravans, horse floats, large boats and anything else that needs heavy-duty hauling. Patrols are also popular for those on the long-dreamt-of ‘round-Australia trips. Hitch up that big caravan, strap the tinnie on the roof and off you go on that endless holiday.
 Nissan's big Patrol has a body-on-chassis design for strength in harsh driving conditions. A drawback of this old-style method of construction is a lack of refinement and comfort compared to the ‘people-mover’ 4WDs.
Patrol uses heavy-duty suspension and part-time four-wheel drive by way of a two-speed transfer case. Using two-wheel drive on sealed surfaces can reduce fuel consumption and transmission noise, but it’s still a relatively thirsty and noisy wagon.
Interior room is less than it should be for its large external size in the older versions. The GU Patrol, launched at the end of 1997 is considerably better in the cabin than the old models.
Bodies in the later models are mostly long-wheelbase four-door wagons. These frequently come with additional seats in the rear to let them carry up to seven occupants. When all seven seats are in use the luggage area is fairly restricted but with the seats folded out of the way the boot is large and pretty well shaped.
Patrol is also sold as a light-commercial cab-chassis to which a big variety of bodies have been fitted over the years. The cab-chassis models weren’t updated to GU specification until April 1999 with the introduction of the Series II GU Patrol.
 A major body change in October 2004 saw virtually every panel changed, yet you had to look twice to see that there were differences in the vehicle. Inside, it was a different story. The dash and instrument panel were thoroughly modernised in design. At the same time, the in-cabin materials were lifted to a higher quality to give a more upmarket feel. Nissan chose to continue the ‘GU’ model designation, calling the 04 model the GU Series IV.
The Patrol Coil-Cab, launched in 1997, is an interesting variant, being aimed at the recreational ute market. It doesn’t have the same carrying capacity as the other cab-chassis but its ride and refinement are better.
Most GQ Patrols used a 4.2-litre petrol or diesel six, or a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel, also in straight-six configuration. From 1990 a 3.0-litre petrol engine, similar to the one used in the Nissan Skyline/Holden Commodore at the time, was added to the options list. The 3.0-litre doesn’t have the grunt of the big engines, but uses less fuel and so is quite popular. Avoid it if you want to do any heavy-duty work as it's not really intended for that.
With the launch of the GU Patrol the petrol six went up in capacity to 4.5 litres. That in turn was replaced by a virtually all-new 4.8-litre petrol V8 in October 2001. The latter is actually more economical than the former and is becoming quite common on the used market.
The four-cylinder turbo-diesel in the early GU Patrol was the 2.8-litre unit, but in April 1999 a new-design 3.0-litre turbo-diesel was introduced. It’s significantly better than the old unit.
Most older Patrols have a five-speed manual gearbox, though automatics became increasingly popular over the years.
 Nissan Patrol is easy to work on, with large areas of underbonnet and under-vehicle space. Servicing and spare parts costs are generally reasonable and the dealer network is well represented in all areas of Australia.
Insurance costs are usually relatively low but there can be a fair variation so it pays to shop around.
Ford Mavericks are old Nissan Patrols, being identical apart from badges and for some minor changes in equipment levels. They were sold from 1988 until 1993 and usually cost slightly less on the used-car scene than Patrols.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Rust isn't usually a problem unless a Patrol has been used in surf at a beach. Check the chassis and the lower areas of the body and doors.
Check for underbody damage - the door sills and bumpers are usually the first to suffer. Look for dings in the bash plates and be sure they haven’t been pushed onto the items they should be protecting.
Look at the paint for scratching caused by being pushed through narrow bush tracks.
If buying a turbo-diesel it’s smart to go for one with service books showing that oil changes have been carried out at the correct intervals.
Listen for a whining sound from the turbo and look for black smoke from the exhaust under acceleration.
Also listen for noises from a manual gearbox during normal running and for crunching from weak synchromesh, particularly on fast three-two downchanges.
A GQ automatic may have a vibration in the tailshaft due to it being out of balance. Manuals had a longer tailshaft and didn’t suffer from the problem.
Some old Patrols may have cracks in the spring mountings. Listen for squeaks or rattles from the front end when test driving.
Wandering from the straight ahead when driving on a sealed road possibly means suspension problems, it can also be caused by incorrect tyre pressures so check these before the test drive.
CAR BUYING TIP
Real working 4WDs are a rarity and may have led a very hard life. Then again, they are usually maintained by professionals and this is done strictly by the book.
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