Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

At the moment I get a new cylinderhead in Bethlehem....we will see.

By the way: the big engine needs a different gearbox and I don't know, if the diffs are the same.

He has a compete 2.8l diesel still running in a safari that he will sell for 9.5k not to bad for complete motor

I think, diesel engines are not as common like in Germany due to a few reasons:

- just history, people are used to petrol engines in cars
- much (!!!!) more dusty air in Africa than in Germany -> bigger stress to diesel technology (injectors, rails, high pressure pumps)
- much worse diesel fuel respectively diesel technology much less forgiving if the fuel is not very good. In Germany you'll only have cleanest fuel
- higher ambient temperatures
- the price difference between diesel and petrol is not as huge as in Germany and there is no tax advantage
- possible higher maintenance costs for diesel: injectors (even if the petrol is injecting, it's injectors are much cheaper - I think), normally a turbo whereas a petrol engine has roughly comparable power being just naturally aspirated
- (older) petrol engines have much simpler technology (I know, the 4.2 diesel is simple, too, but not the 3.0), you can literally repair them under the tree.

BUT: that seams to be a thing of the person group 'attached' to a certain car. Most Fortuners will run with the 3.0l diesel as it is convenient and cheap, much cheaper than the bigger and more expensive petrol engine.
So maybe the answer is not as easy as it seems...

I always liked Diesels, however after last Thursday's drinks night, I don't think I have enough money money to keep a Diesel going. Blow a 1uzfe R12000.00 later you are up and running, and you don't have to check the EGT the whole time.

I am sort of neutral on this .. Petrol or Diesel has taken [took] me to far away places .. BUT when the Namib Dunes called, I opted for PETROL [Nissan Patrol 4,2 -GQ ]
The Prado V6 came as a bargain upon bargain, thus I am in Patrol again .. But I miss my diesel vehicles most: Boezman & Agarob ..
I think the tradition in South Africa has much to do with petrol sales being so high. The first diesels were absolute DONKEYS very lethargig and slow and smelly .. good enough for lorries and farming.
The "new generation" [Genration "Y" ] are mostly buying diesel .. distance per liter and monthly fuel bill being the deciding factor .. AND the new technology diesels are powerful and fast .. and a status symbol.

Then you get the 'died in the wool' okes that kling to OLD SCHOOL Diesel ... like certain people here on our forum .. we just tolerate them and try to educate them .. but my psychology is zero so I have given up on them