Nissan GU Patrol Ute

1999 April, Nissan launched a turbo-charged version of the 4.2 litre diesel engine in its cab-chassis (ute) GU Patrol. Firstly there are two versions of the chassis, one with coil suspension (and disc brakes) front and rear as in the station-wagon version of the GU Patrol. The other retains leaf rear springs and rear drum brakes which are cheaper and seen as more rugged by some (certainly in ride quality). Secondly, the vehicle can be had with the naturally aspirated 4.2 litre diesel (91kW at 4000rpm, 272Nm at 2000rpm) or the turbo (114kW at 3600rpm, 330Nm at 2000). It is interesting to compare those figures with the 2.5 litre turbo diesel in the 1999 Land Rover Defender and Discovery (101kW at 4200rpm, 300Nm at 1950rpm). Incidentally, one or two Nissan owners have been blowing their (GQ) diesels for a while. Nissan already have a 2.8 litre turbo-diesel in the wagon but it seems the 4.2 litre turbo will find its way there too.

www.4wdonline.com/Nissan/Nissan.html Above: ST (red) and DX (white) ST interior

There is little doubt that all-coil suspension will deliver a better ride, and quoted wheel travel of 220mm front and 240mm rear (unladen) deliver better traction offroad, than the leaf-sprung option for the back-axle.

Transmission is by a five-speed manual gearbox and two-speed, part-time-4WD transfer-case. The latter is chain-driven with "a non-backlash mechanism which comprises a sub-gear with one more tooth than the outer gear which is tensioned by a dish spring to maintain chain tension". Four wheel drive can be selected while moving if the manual free-wheel hubs are engaged. The transmission has also been strengthened: "First, second and fifth gears are shot-treated and bearings are reinforced for improved durability and reduced [noise]. The gearbox casing is strengthened for all GU models".

The cab in the GU ute is larger than in the previous model based on the GQ Patrol with an extra inch or two in leg room and cabin width, and +4" in headroom. The more luxurious `ST' model gets power windows, central locking, `moquette' trim on the two seats, and power radio antenna.

Apparently "Australia accounts for over 80% of the worldwide sales for the Patrol Cab Chassis", many going to farmers and to mining companies, and Nissan Australia are hoping for sales of "300 per month".

Nissan GU Patrol Cab Chassis TD42 / TD42T 1999...

Manufacturer's figures:

• cab-chassis, 3 seats (2 in the ST), 2 doors
• loa: 4885mm-5060mm, width: 1840mm-1930mm, height: 1875mm (coil), 1895mm (leaf)
• wheelbase: 2970mm (117"), track: 1605mm/1625mm, grnd clearance: 200mm
• approach: 30°, departure: 33.5°, ramp break over: 153°
• turning radius: 6.25m
• weight GVM: 3150kg (coil) - 3400kg (leaf), towing: 750kg (unbraked)
• turbo
  • 4169cc, turbo-charged diesel, 6-cyls, 2-valves/cyl, ohv
  • bore: 96mm, stroke: 96mm, c.r.: 22.7:1
  • power: 114kW at 3600rpm, torque: 330Nm at 2000rpm
• non-turbo
  • 4169cc, diesel, 6-cyls, 2-valves/cyl, ohv
  • bore: 96mm, stroke: 96mm, c.r.: 22.7:1
  • power: 91kW at 4000rpm, torque: 272Nm at 2000rpm
• transmission:
  5-manual, TD42 and TD42T leaf: 4.262:1, 2.455:1, 1.488:1, 1.0:1, 0.85:1, rev 3.971:1,
  5-manual, TD42T coil DX & ST: 4.556:1, 2.624:1, 1.590:1, 1.0:1, 0.836:1, rev 4.245:1
  part-time 4WD, rear LSD, diff 4.111:1, except TD42 leaf DX 4.375:1
  
• suspension: live-coil / live-leaf or live-coil / live-coil, brakes: disc/disc (coil), disc/drum (leaf)
• tyres: 265/75R16 (coil), 7.50x16 (leaf), fuel-tank: 95L + 80L
• prices: DX leaf $44,690, DX coil $46,080, DX turbo leaf $47,490, DX turbo coil $48,880, ST turbo coil $50,680, i.e. $44,690+$1,390(coil)+$2,800(turbo)+$1,800(ST) ($au 4/1999)
• Rivals: Land Rover Defender, Toyota Landcruiser

Go to the GU-Patrol and Nissan pages