Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

I have recently seen a number of Patrol's for sale at the coast, and in my mind the question of rust came up... so how prone are Patrol's to rust? And should one look at a Patrol being sold at the coast, where are the first places to look for signs of rust?

There are a few places to look for rust.

Obviously the chassis will be first and easiest. However, slight rust is probably normal if the vehicle is 10 years or more.

Second place I would look is under the wheel arches. Mud and cr@p tends to build up in the rear of the arches and if not cleaned out after 4x4ing etc, will be rusty.

But yes, cars at the coast will always be prone to rust, unfortunately one of those things.

Hi Oetie. I was one of the people who bought a rusty Patrol. I never knew where to look but did climb under the car with a torch to take a look. it was a rainy day in Belfast and I did not spend enough time because I was getting wet. It was only when I had the car pressure washed in Durban and I could have a good look underneath that I saw the rust. The radiator cradle, which also holds the front wings, was badly rusted around the bolt holes where it bolts onto the chassis. Its quite difficult to see unless you know what you are looking for, but years later when I wanted to get another Patrol, I did note quite a few coastal Patrols for sale that had a similar problem.
The rear of the chassis is also prone to rust as are the wheel arches which often starts under the plastic. It might be that those Patrols had been used at one time or another to launch a boat into the sea.
Personally I would prefer to get one from inland although I am sure there must be many coastal cars that are rust free. I was amazed at just how clean and rust free the one I later bought in Johannesburg was. I have a few pics of the rust on my old Patrol and would have posted them but I have left them on my hard drive in Hibberdene. It will be interesting to get other members opinion on this too as once rusts attacks, no matter what you do, it seems to come back. By the way, while I am here in the UK, I have stored the later Patrol in Jhb away from that coastal salty mist.
Regards

Oetie: iNyathi is 'n "Belville" kar .. sedert 2000 tot 2016. Daar is kleinnnn roes op die agterste pilaar [D pilar] en geringe roesmerke [oppervlakkig] om die waterkanaal waar die dakrak sy knypwerk gedoen het oor die jare

Die onderstel is spotless. Die enjinkamer is roesvry .. as daar ysterluis iewers onder die matte skuil weet ek nie daarvan nie.

LOBO daarenteen se sykante was woes geroes .. MAAR "DieselDawg" het hom gebruik om bote te water te laat daar in Saldanha.

Ek het nog net van EEN Patrol op hierdie forum verneem wat die onsderstel so geroes was dat hy "beyond repair" was .. Graham het nog sy "doodsetrtifikaat uitgereik .. jaar of 3 gelede

Ek het THOR gehad .. en huil vandag nog ek OOIT daai kar verkoop het. al was hy bedoel om "tydelik" te wees. Thor was n "kus" kar sy hele lewe, eers KZN, to Wekus .. en nou sit hy weer knus by sy vorige vorige vorige baas daar in Pinetown

Thank you for the replies, will keep these in mind, hopefully soon when I start shopping for a Patrol..

As gupster said, we are keen to hear what other members have found on their Patrols or seen on others.

Leon, ek het klein bietjie roes bo die voorruit se boonste rand, en meer ernstige probleem op die "battery tray". Laasgenoemde het natuurlik niks met seelug te doen nie...

Rear slide windows on GQ is a problem as well, looking at replacing those windows with Gullwings

Shalom

I have seen some rust on the bottom left and right of the cradle. Not easy to spot with the bumper on

Thank you for the replies, much appreciated!

Will revisit this post to refresh my memory when I have cash in the pocket...

I saw a few Patrols while sesrching for my vehicle that had rust above the upper lip of the windscreen surround.

The rubber trim looks to be lifting at the top of the screen & sometimes a waviness can be present in the profile.

I think it may start from a windsreen replacement where the trim is re-used. Or just shoddy fitment.