In December 2001, as veteran Subaru 4WD devotees, we did what previously may have been considered the unspeakable deed - purchased a large 4WD vehicle - a Nissan Patrol. Call it corny and unimaginative, but we affectionately call him Pat the Patrol. This is the story of Pat.
The desire to acquire a large 4WDrive stemmed from the absence of a Subaru Club in the ACT region - meaning we often had to travel on 4WD outings on our own and without the mutual support of another vehicle in company (combined with the bad experience we had in Easter 2000 where we broke the front right hand suspension in a hole caused by a large 4WD vehicle on a remote mountain fire trail) - and the opportunity presenting itself to buy a hitherto unattainable upmarket vehicle through a salary sacrifice arrangement with my employer.
We have kept the Subaru - now claimed by Beth ('his' and 'hers' 4WDrives) - for 'sporting' type outings with the Subaru clubs ... but for solo trips we now have something more robust.
Prior to acquisition, we did extensive research into selecting the right type of vehicle for us. Initially we thought of a mid-size vehicle (Pathfinder, Pajero, Prado etc) but quickly discounted each of them for many and varied reasons, among them - Pajero poor ground clearance, Prado poor internal space, Pathfinder automatic transmission and a heavy drinker, etc. Eventually it boiled down to Patrol vs Landcruiser. We found Landcruiser to be more like a truck, heavy on fuel and about $6000 more than a comparably fitted out Patrol. Numerous professional reviews rated the GU-II patrol with its new technology 3.0 Litre Direct Injection Turbo Diesel engine as the front runner time and time again. A lengthy test drive confirmed the Nissan as our preference, so off we went - negotiating a price, arranging after market accessories and setting the salary sacrifice arrangements in motion. Within a week, we picked up our shiny new car.
The model we bought was a November 2001- build Nissan GU-II Series Patrol - ST Version with the 3.0 Litre Intercooled Direct Injection Turbo Diesel and manual transmission. We subsequently discovered that the model we bought was the first of the GU-II facelift (referred to by some as the GU-III) - it has a different grille, front and rear lights (more rounded than the previous version). The ST version features many of the useful mod-cons of the top of the line 4.8 Litre Petrol without the glitzy leather gearshift, imitation wood grain dash or the need to tow a fuel tanker behind. Unfortunately we were not able to get air bags on both sides as that is only available as part of the optional Safety Pack which includes anti-skid braking (ABS) - great for on bitumen roads but not terribly desirable in steep and loose off-road conditions.
Some of the ST Turbo Diesel's Features: Auto Locking Free Wheeling Hubs Limited Slip Diff Side Steps Air Conditioning Power Windows Driver Side Air Bag Driver's Seat Height & Lumbar Adjustment
7 Seats (in 3 rows) AM/FM/CD Player 95 Litre Main Fuel Tank / 30 Litre Sub Tank Negotiating a price for the basic vehicle was an interesting experience. We all have motor dealer horror stories to tell, but on this occasion, nothing could be further from it -the bloke we dealt with really went out of his way to help us (and in doing so helped himself, of course). Once he realised that we were genuine buyers he immediately took $3000 off the list price and stretched that to $6000 off when we told him we were definitely going to buy a vehicle through a salary sacrifice lease-buy arrangement and he (as our preferred supplier in the local area) needed to put in a more competitive quote to secure our business. He got our business on the strength of that, but not before our agent at the leasing company even got a little more shaved off the price. Next was the quest for aftermarket accessories.
Those with any 4WDrive experience will know that you can't just drive a new standard-fit 4WDrive out of the showroom and successfully take it out into the wild (and back) without kitting it out for off road. Apart from driver training and experience, some basic accessories are required to really get the most out of the vehicle and get it back home safely. So we went to ARB and asked them to quote on quite a large list using their 'sharpest pencil'. Indeed they did, and we were able to save close to another $2000 off a combination of Nissan dealership and ARB list prices. Once again I discovered that if you don't ask you don't get. Here is a list of the accessories we purchased - all were fitted by ARB (and they did a terrific job), except the roof rack which will not allow the vehicle to pass under the garage doors if fitted. We will fit that when we need to use it. As we had one of the very first GU-IIIs around, we had to wait about two months for ARB to redesign the GU-II bull bar to suit the new body shape (grille and lights) of the GU-III, but it is fitted now.
Pat's Accessories 
ARB Steel Winch Bar (air bag compatible) Warn 9000 lb Electric Winch 130 W IPF Spot / Driving Lights (one each) with clear covers and lock nuts ARB Tow Bar ARB Dual Battery System with Deep Cycle Battery Safari Snorkel Milford Cargo Barrier
Full Length ARB Steel Mesh Roof Rack Turbo Timer Kaymar Telescopic Extension Light Headlight Protectors Bonnet Protector Floor Mats Spare Wheel Cover Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher Engel 40 Litre Fridge/Freezer
To keep Pat cost effective (i.e reduce the fringe benefit tax (FBT) we will have to pay), we need to drive it at least 15,000 km but preferably more than 25,000 km per year. To that end we will be making a concerted effort to get out and about a whole lot more than we have in recent years. The FBT year ends 31 Mar and by that deadline this year we had to have a pro-rata amount (based on having the vehicle 102 days) of around 7,000 km chalked up. We achieved that quite comfortably and we are already chipping away at next year's total.
Trips undertaken so far include - touring to Port Macquarie and through many of the central NSW National Parks at Christmas time; a trip in March to the Darling Harbour 4WD Show (Sydney), camping out at Jervis Bay on return; a Trout fishing trip to Lake Jindabyne (Beth one - Danny nil), again in March; a camping trip to the Murray River on the NSW-Victorian border at Easter; and a trip to the Sydney Caravan, Camping and 4WD Super Show in early April.
While at the Super Show, we made contact with the Nissan Patrol 4WD Club of NSW & ACT and joined up (we now belong to three 4WD clubs). Until we joined, the club appeared to be ACT in name only, for as far as we can tell, we are the first members to reside in the ACT for some time - the club being largely Sydney based. We won't make many monthly club room meetings but we hope to get out and about on the trips with them as much as we can. First we have to participate in mandatory driver training with the club before we can join in on the trips. The driver training weekends are held monthly in the Sydney area. Although we are experienced at off-road driving already, the training requirement is not a bad thing for us. The techniques used in driving Subarus off road (flat out, wheels spinning to keep the revs and momentum up) is very different to the big 4WDrives (slow and steady, trying not to break traction by spinning wheels). We have to learn to drive off-road all over again - not to mention recovering the vehicle ussing the electric winch. To date, the most we have ever had to do was use a snatch strap (Subarus don't get stuck very much).
Equipment to Come
The accessory list doesn't stop here of course. On the list are - a lift kit (probably 4 inch), UHF and CB radios in an Outback brand overhead console; built-in drawers and fridge slide for the rear compartment (again, probably Outback brand), a vehicle mounted air compressor, new recovery gear (the Suba stuff is a bit small and we do not yet have winch accessories); sheepskin seat covers; and eventually, a GPS with laptop computer for a moving map display. When we hit the outback next it will probably be with an emergency locator beacon on board and some other means of long range communications - HF radio or satellite telephone (if not carried by another in the group) ..... if only we were rich.
Impression So Far
So far the car is great - we love it. Having said that though, there are a few things that could be better.
Drive-By-Wire Throttle The 3.0 L T/D is well known for hunting (Kangarooing) in first gear on broken ground. I think the reason for this is that the accelerator is a 'Drive-by-wire' (operates via electrical signal instead of pulling on a cable) and as such, is very sensitive to movement. When off road, the bumps cause the foot to move up and down on the throttle, albeit ever so slightly, but this translates into Kangarooing. The solution I have found so far is to speed up a little and use second gear - but that is not always safe nor practical.
Cruise Control (or lack thereof) For some reason Nissan does not provide a cruise control option for its Diesels. This is a pain in the neck given the sensitivity of the throttle. On the highway you have to concentrate something fierce to maintain the correct speed - it keeps wanting to break speed limits. I can understand the rationale for not providing cruise controls on diesels back in the old days where diesel power and response was poor but the new high tech 3.0 L turbo engine is very responsive above 2500 revs and has bags of power.
Corrugations The Patrol certainly is no Subaru on corrugated gravel roads. Just about any Suba can be driven like a rally car over corrugations but not the rear wheel drive Nissan - it vibrates across the road and tries to slide away on corners. It means you have to drive slower on gravel and concentrate. Selecting 4H range can help.
Turning Circle The Patrol has a very large turning circle - about the size of a small planet - three- point turns become ten-point turns (well not really but you get the idea) - this is a real nuisance when trying to park in shopping centre car parks or do a U-turn in a suburban street. Out on the very steep and narrow 4WD tracks, hair pin bends become really exciting.
Ground Clearance Is generally good but the side steps bring it down a bit and the tow bar tends to strike on departure. Clearance out of the show room is comparable to our Subaru with 2 inch lift kit and 14 inch wheels. A lift kit is needed for serious off road work.
Tyres The vehicle came fitted with Bridgestone Dueller ATs - absolute rubbish! The side walls are way too soft for a 4WD tyre and we punctured one on a recently graded good quality gravel road after only 2,000 km. The tyre sidewalls died before we could pull up and we had to replace the tyre (see pic). If you buy tyres after market you can generally get road damage insurance for them, but if they come with the new vehicle, guess what - you are on your own - and at $270+ a pop, not good. We will replace them ASAP.
Glove box Bugger-all room as the dash space is allocated for the passenger side Air Bag option.
Drink Holders Too shallow - drinks tip over.
Good Features
There are heaps that make it an all-around good motor car, but these are some of the best:
Comfort A smooth, solid ride, firm seats and very responsive to the steering - albeit with a reduced turning circle. Interior noise levels are very low - whisper quiet - except for the occasional diesel clatter.
Power The 3.0 L T/D provides a bucket load of power and torque (more than the 4.2 Litre turbo diesel because of the new technology design). It is slow off the mark because of the gearing but when the turbo kicks in it leaves Landcruiser for dead. On the highway, it accelerates up most hills in 5th gear. In 4L it will go up the side of a brick wall. Fuel economy is as good as a medium-sized station wagon - with a camping load we consistently get around 11 L/100Km (that is a dumb way of measuring fuel consumption) or 24-25 MPG - better than the Subaru on a good day. With 115 Litres of diesel we get around 1000km between fill ups - luxury.
Space and Carriage Capacity Heaps of space (although the Milford Cargo Barrier does tend to waste a little). Despite all the hardware we have installed, weight does not seem to be a problem affecting performance - although we still think 'light' from our Subaru days. Having the Engel fridge (backed up by the dual battery system) is great after years of hauling eskys and sloshing ice around. We have removed the third row of seats to make room for our camping gear.
Intimidation It is big ........ finally, pip-squeak Excels with their undernourished engines get out of my way!
Trip Pics
First Trip - before bull bar and winch was fitted
Camping out at Jervis Bay
Fishing Trip - Jindabyne
Cattle Farm on the Murray River
