Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi Guys

I am considering replacing my Disco 2 V8 with something a little bigger (family grew and the D2 is not) and have the 4.8 Patrol in mind, hence my questions:

- I get the fact the 4.8 is a pretty solid vehichle, but would like to get some clarity on what the life expectancy is of the engine and gearbox. And how much is it for an overhaul of engine and gearbox. I have seen a few of 4.8's for sale with anything between 100 000 - 200 000km on them (and some with even more) but am not sure what to make of it. When bying my D2 about 5 years ago I remember at one point seeing 5 Land Cruiser 80's listed as for sale with just over the 200 000km on them, three already had engine rebuilts of which two had gearbox rebuilts as well. At the time I assumed that 200 000km was more or less what could be expected from a LC 80 4500 petrol (with obvious exceptions both up and down and I could have been wrong in my assumption). I never really got any indication of what to expect from a Patrol 4.8

- I have have noticed the bubble dash problem, is there a fix for that?

Fuel consumption is also a bit of a concern but I am it won't be a lot worse than my D2. I get the idea that it is around 5.5km/l from some of the post around here. One salesman tried to convince me that he got 7km/l on the highway doing 110-120, but I don't believe that for one second. I have always been of the opinion that I can budget for fuel but can never budget for when I would need the extra power (put only to a point of course), hence the reason for the 4.8 and not a diesel.

Thanks

Gideon

GideonJ wrote:I have have noticed the bubble dash problem, is there a fix for that?

There is a factory recall on the dashes with bubbles for a limited period. Supply your VIN and if it is in the range your dash gets replaced for free!

The 4.8 engine and drivetrain is so over engineered and under stressed that with regular maintenance you should easily see at least the other side of 350k. On the open road @ 120km/h the engine ticks over at just more than 2000 r/min - compare that to my old Safari 2.8 which was dong nearly 4000r/min for the same speed and ran problem free well into the 300k km's!

This is one of the last dinosaurs - get one - you won't be sorry!

There is a lot of info on the Aus Patrol site and the 4500 engine last up to 600 000km before you need to overhaul it. Mine has 305 000km already and is still running fine!

I have not heard of any 4.8's that been overhauled. If we look at the reliability of the 4.2 (mine is at 290k km) and the 4.5 it should do its fair share of 500k km.

Hi Gideon

I would just like to add to what has already been said.

The Patrol's gearboxes, transfer cases and axles are even more robust and trouble-free than the engines. In fact they are probably the most robust transmissions in the business. There is virtually not a post on this forum telling of problems with any of the above except for:
1) Auto locking hubs may cause axle damage if they are left on auto and the vehicle is "rocked" forwards and backwards to get out of mud or sand. Under these conditions the hubs are trying to lock and unlock at the wrong times and may be damaged. Lock them manually (there is a facilty for this) when "rocking".
2) The diff-lock solenoid sometimes fails, and this may cause axle damage in severe cases. Regular use keeps the solenoid functioning properly.
3) Wheelbearings and oil seals require maintenance which is sometimes neglected, but this only seems to happen at upwards of 250k km.
4) On the 4.8 Auto, the radiator has a built-in transmission oil cooler. This may develop a leak to the water system, particularly if the engine is used without anti-freeze.

In connection with the engine, the TB48 is a development of the TB45 and TB42, but with an entirely new multi-valve cylinder head and (I beleive) overhead cams. The bottom end is similar and built using the same philosophy. they are often modified in the middle east to produce more than 1000Kw. The TB45 and TB42 usually lasts more than 600k km if maintained properly.

Cheers
PC

Another important fact is the the Patrols are build in Japan in the Nissan Truck factory so they are developed by the truck guys and not the car guys - that is why they are stronger than the average 4x4.

4.8 is a "regte kar" when driving with no trailer at 110 -120km i have had 6.5km l but n never drive nice so 20-18l per hunderd is a given
get one the only thing you need then is sense of humor when u fill up ! oom mac said the other day "if you want horses you must feed them"
will not change my car for no other 4x 4

Thanks for the replies guy's, it is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I like to know what I am getting myself into.

One of my other questions was already answered, it being about the diff-lock switch. I have heard that there is a problem with it but wasn't sure if it was with the actual switch on the dash or wether it was at the diff itself....it sounds like it is at the diff itself being the solinoid.

What about maintenance cost for example service intervals and price for a normal service as well as cambelt replacement (if not chain driven). And how sophisticated is the engine management system...this may sound like a silly question but I have always thought of the Patrol to be a no frills no fuss type of vehicle, I am just not sure to what extent. In other words in the unlikely event of something going wrong in the bush is it easy to fix or do one also nead a computer to plug in to find the fault as with most of the newer vehicles?

With LR it is more often than not better to take it to a good indepedent person for servicing, is this also true for Nissan/Patrol?

Regards

Gideon

Hello Gideon

GideonJ wrote:One of my other questions was already answered, it being about the diff-lock switch. I have heard that there is a problem with it but wasn't sure if it was with the actual switch on the dash or wether it was at the diff itself....it sounds like it is at the diff itself being the solinoid.

The solenoid is not in the diff, but is a seperate item located in the engine bay on the firewall. It receives electrical signal from the switch and channels engine vacuum to either side of the diaphragm at the diff to actuate the mechanism. This means there are no electric wires runnong to the rear axle, just two vacuum hoses.

I beleive it is better to use an independent specialist, but obviously they are more difficult to find for a Patrol than for the Landies. The management system on the 4.8 is fairly sophisticated, but I have only heard of one 4.8 going into limp mode, and that was due to a sub-standard pirate radiator not cooling gearbox oil.

Ihave always had good service from nissan but prefer to take it to a private guy not because of cost but i trust his work more my car 4.8 grx has 120 km on the clock and the most expensive thing was sparkplugs @ 95 000 including service was 4500 the rest was between 2000 and 2500
all i can say is it works and keeps on working!!
a good guy in pta is graham he drives a patrol too