Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Would propably be a good idea to change the shocks and the coils then?
The leaf springs are quite stiff at the rear. I find it difficult to compress the shocks enough to test them, where i can press down on the front bumper to test the front shocks, they "bounce" a bit before coming to a stand still.
Rear wheel arches are about 6cm higher than front. Not sure with bakkies if they are suppose to be a bit higher?

(Got about 206k km's on the clock.)

Fanus,

On pickups the rear will usually ba a bit higher than the front so I will not be worried about it, sounds just right to me

Best way to test shocks is to loosen one end and stroke them. They should be pretty difficult to move, and more difficult the faster you try to move them. Also, they should move smoothly all the way. If it feels like you are getting "air bubbles", it's time for new ones.

Normal oil shocks do not have any "spring force" at all, and will stay where you leave them. Gas shocks have some "spring force", but not really enough to change your ride height measurably. So in short, shocks shouldn't affect ride height.

As far as your difference in height goes, where your tanks full or empty? The extra 130-odd kg you can chuck in there will probably already make a difference. At ten years and 200k km it is likely your springs have sagged a bit, but I don't think that's enough to go spending serious money fixing. If it bothers you, just make a point of parking on uneven ground.

Peter Connan wrote: At ten years and 200k km it is likely your springs have sagged a bit, but I don't think that's enough to go spending serious money fixing. If it bothers you, just make a point of parking on uneven ground.

The difference is not really noticeable, and yes the tanks are full.
Will measure again when they empty.

To be honest, I think I am just looking for an excuse to lift my truck

Okay, here's the perfect excuse for you:

Cos it looks cool!

One cant just measure from gound to arch in order to check differences in hight, as the body design is not symmetrical front to back. Park it on a dead flat parking lot and if you stand back you will see if there is a rake on it. (ie: Rear higher than front or visa versa).

As pete said, shocks do buggerall to change ride hight.

In regard to left/right spring hight,.. after 200 000km the right side will have worked harder due to contstant driver position , usually with no occupant on passenger side. This is why orginal and aftermarket springs are always set 10mm or so higher on driver side. As for fuel tanks, main tank is middle rear but Sub tank of 85Lt is right behind driver, on right hand side. so if you've had a 120kg farmer driving this patrol for 200 000km with a full subtank weighing about 73kg (85Lt diesel weighs ?)... its allot of weight on that side of the patrol. Add a canopy,... and every time it goes over a bump the right side gets worked harder than the left side,...and takes it toll.

For now just swap them over, left to right. done.

SJC wrote:Here is the part number for the hook they quoted me on: 51110VC205. Maybe someone else can comment if it is the right one, cause Nissan's guys seemed a bit confused whether it s the correct hook or not.

Nissan Barberton price was R610, but the price difference does not justify the extra diesel to travel there. Nissan Lydenburg is not interested in sending me a quote. I even contacted the parts manager after the sales guy did not respond. Still no quote.
NIssan Witbank also did not respond to my quotation request.

SJC, I just received a call from Nissan SA regarding this. I'm going to send you a PM with the details of the guy to please contact to sort you out. I'm happy that Nissan SA is responding to the bed service that the dealerships are dishing out...... sometimes the top need to hear what the bottom is doing..... !!!

Why don't you ask Peter Connan if he still has recover points available. It it better than the hook and you can fit two of them.

Just following on from my earlier post....

I just received another call from Nissan SA saying that they hadn't heard from SJC yet, and that they just want to follow up on this issue. I like the fact that they are trying !!

SJC ... Please let us know whats happening !!

I have been in the bush the past few days, without cellphone signal. Will send them a mail tomorrow.
Nissan witbank phoned me last week to enquire on my vehicles vin number, to quote me on the correct part for my vehicle.