Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Hi guys, haven't been online in a while and super jealous of what some have done to their trols during the lockdown.

I just want some advice regarding clutch kits.
I am assuming that my clutch might be going...although I'm not actually 100% sure. I have slip only in 4th gear when I put full weight on the skinny pedal. Today was the 1st time on an uphill I put my foot down - the revs climbed and then dropped again. Previously I've experienced it sporadically when redlining 3rd and then slip it into 4th (dune driving).

Funny thing though, in 1st when I put my foot on the brake and accelerator and slowly release the clutch there is no slip. When I test it by pulling away in 3rd it also doesn't slip.

Just maybe a bit of relevant history- the one and only issue I've ever had with the patrol was when a clutch hose popped off in Damaraland. I took a hose from an old scrapped vehicle, fitted it and on returning home replaced it. I couldn't fully clean that 2nd hand hose before I installed it.

Anyway, If you think its my clutch , should i go OEM or heavy duty or what are my options?

That is weird, sounds like it's slipping, but also that it isn't slipping if it doesn't slip in a 3rd gear pulloff. How many km on the clock? It might be a good idea to change it anyway as it may just be on the beginning stages of "worn out". It is a massive crappy job to do, but it can only be that in my opinion.

I have a replacement clutch in mine. Bought it from the previous owner just after he fitted it. That was 170 000 km ago,, and it is still as strong as the day I got it. I was told that it is a heavy duty clutch, but cannot recall the make.

Thanks Ricster

It only has about 225 000km I think currently. Although from history I've gathered from the vehicle it has been used to sometimes work and other times play hard.

But yes a clutch is a wear and tear item - if I replace it and it lasts another 200k km that would probably be in 30 years time at my current km/year rate.

Would you say your heavy duty clutch is harder to live with on a day to day basis than an oem one?
It is probably best to just get quotes on both and make a decision from there? I just don't know how I'm going to import something like that in our current situation.

I don't think you need heavy duty for a 4.5, unless you plan on sticking a turbo on there. I have OEM in mine, and it handles the 410NM I have at the wheels with no slippage.

Heavy duty will handle more torque, but the wear pads aren't any thicker, so it doesn't last longer unless you are in the habit of slipping the clutch.

Last I checked, OEM also wasn't all that much more expensive than aftermarket.

Not sure how OEM vs Heavy duty feels as I've only had this Patrol and clutch, but it was slightly heavier on the foot till I bled and changed the fluid a good few years back, then it seemed slightly lighter. Was it all in my mind, possibly.

From what I've heard the clutch itself is not too badly priced, even from Nissan. Maybe give Marinus ( Terrain Tamer ) a call or PM, as he has looked after me with various items from Aus. Good quality products and at a very reasonable price, and delivered to my door.

Here is a link to some of his posts
viewtopic.php?f=77&t=8000

We fitted a bakkie clutch to my Diesel & I am very happy

The strongest easily available clutch you can fit to the 4.5 is the 4.2 td bakkie clutch. I however made the mistake of not upgrading the pressure plate on "The Firetruck" and landed up having to do the whole job done again.

Seeing that is such a mission to change the clutch I reckon that if you replace with the 4.2 td bakkie clutch and pressure plate it will definetly last in excess of 300 000 km on a 4.5 and possibly 400 000 km.

The TD42TI clutch kit for the turbo bakkies is the way forward. We are running that clutch on Attie's Td42 Patrol and it makes 180kw and 700Nm on the wheels with no slip.
And that's with an owner who really works the vehicle hard.

spend the little bit extra and get the bakkie kit ...also get the flywheel skimmed properly otherwise you are going to do it again

Thanks guys, valuable advice as always. I just wish Michael or Graham had a holiday home here...*hint hint

I'll start looking around for a td42 clutch kit and pressure plate. And hope to find some that can do a great skimming job.

We are currently back on hard lockdown...