Opinions wanted - Nissan Patrols for sale.

[aotror]

Hi,

I want to buy another truck and was considering these ones, Id just like to hear anyones opinions on each of them.

1. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 655965.htm

This one has a rear diff lock, some work on the alternator , injector pump etc and a 2.5 inch suspension lift.. Seems ok to me apart from no winch and the primer one the body, has 32' tyres..

2. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 928775.htm

This has lsd, 2 inch lift, winch, 155kms and bullbar but on 31 inch tyres 89 but seems more original than no 1

3. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 778714.htm

260km's PTO winch no lift, 1988, bit of mechanical work done.


4. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 856649.htm

1988, turbo, bit of a lift, and a winch, 274 kms but gay looking red colour and somehow doesnt look original, but not sure how, maybe lack of decals on it..


Im interested to hear that you guys reckon is the best buy or if you know of another one that might be better.

Is the rear diff lock better than one with an lsd and winch? if they have been lifted 2.5 inches but not had the panhard rods (or whatever it is that needs to be extended) extended , will it matter?
Is the turbo likely to be problematic and will it make it more or less economical than the others when driven at similar speeds..

no1 is tempting because of the money spent, the lift and it's got some creature comforts, but has had 5 different number plates in its time in NZ if that means anything..

the white one has good km's and seems original but has smaller wheels that id like and no diff lock,

the red one seems the least original and possibly had the hardest life.

From what I have read it seems a front diff lock and rear lsd is better than a rear diff lock and normal front diff..
Any ideas on this kind of thing appreciated.

I want a daily driver that is as capable as poss for 6grand with reliability. Whats the best of the above 4?

[coxsy]

the middle one has winch and rims + tyres , a lift so you will be ahead straight away flare, low kms just a snork to add and a locker to the front axle

[Taz]

Hey.

I wouldn't trust the KM's on any of those to be honest.... And to put a perspective on price, I paid 5k for a non turbo 1993 SWB wtih 268,000 on the clock and a rear diff lock....

Otherwise I reckon the first one would be my pic out of that bunch, then the last one second. Turbo makes these more economical so long as your not lead footed apparently.

The middle two look like they are sagging in the rear, so there goes your lift... I think the biggest thing to look out for is rust, unless you can fix it yourself cheaply as these things ain't getting any younger and then the motor and whats been done to it at what cost. Same as any old car really.
All the add on's like winches and lokkas are nice but since your wanting a daily and reliability thats all I'd focus on and anything extra that you won't have to get in the future is a bonus. You can't winch yourself to work if it shits itself! Don't know where your coming from with the font diff lock vs rear. None of those have front diff locks and you can get lsds for the front as well as rear.

You don't need to worry about panhards and all that jazz unless you want to worry about flex, bigger tyres and bigger lifts.

Personally I would probably put that white one at the bottom of the list unless it got a loooot cheaper.

[PR]

Hi,

I want to buy another truck and was considering these ones, Id just like to hear anyones opinions on each of them.

1. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 655965.htm
This one has a rear diff lock, some work on the alternator , injector pump etc and a 2.5 inch suspension lift.. Seems ok to me apart from no winch and the primer one the body, has 32' tyres..
Best oneOffer $4500

2. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 928775.htm
This has lsd, 2 inch lift, winch, 155kms and bullbar but on 31 inch tyres 89 but seems more original than no 1
NO

3. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 778714.htm
260km's PTO winch no lift, 1988, bit of mechanical work done.Why has it had work and what was done
NO

4. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 856649.htm
1988, turbo, bit of a lift, and a winch, 274 kms but gay looking red colour and somehow doesnt look original, but not sure how, maybe lack of decals on it..
Second bestWho cares what colour it is as a new paint job will reseal the body and help prevent rust

Im interested to hear that you guys reckon is the best buy or if you know of another one that might be better.

Is the rear diff lock better than one with an lsd and winch? Noif they have been lifted 2.5 inches but not had the panhard rods (or whatever it is that needs to be extended) extended , will it matter?No
Is the turbo likely to be problematic and will it make it more or less economical than the others when driven at similar speeds..No problems, More econmical

no1 is tempting because of the money spent, the lift and it's got some creature comforts, but has had 5 different number plates in its time in NZ if that means anything.. Not secured properly, plates go walk abouts when off roading

the white one has good km's and seems original but has smaller wheels that id like and no diff lock,Basic truck, dosn't even have electric windows

the red one seems the least original and possibly had the hardest life.Mabe ? maybe not ? you never know what you are buying witha second hand vehicle

From what I have read it seems a front diff lock and rear lsd is better than a rear diff lock and normal front diff..
Any ideas on this kind of thing appreciated.Yes it is as safari LSD are really good and if working properly are just as good as a diff lock

I want a daily driver that is as capable as poss for 6grand with reliability. Whats the best of the above 4?
1 or 4 are my picks and out of those two I would go with 4

[aotror]

Thanks for you help fellas,

My favoured one was always the first one, although really it doesnt seem like a screaming buy, just ok for what it is. Ideally id like to be a bit more patient and hang out for a better one but that might take forever, (or it could happen tomorrow)..

I have since emailed the guy about the first one and he seems pretty straight up, I asked heaps of questions which he was happy to answer but gave me more to think about. I asked how the lift had affected it.. He said

"not too bad but could do with gearbox packers which are $60 on trade me but only if your fussy about the little drive line vibration". and "im thinking it needs the gearbox spacers as feels like its binding up a little"

Is this vibration or binding after a lift anything to worry about and will fitting these packers he suggests be much hassle to put in?

he also mentioned it pulled to the left slightly so probably needed a wheel alignment,

and
"drive line is all good the box is a little whiney but nothing to stress over"

.. likely to be true??

When I asked about rust he said

"really no rust where these normally go ie rear floor/wheel arches/rear windows /engine crossmembers/chassis but does have some in roof gutering has been silconed up"

I know it might seem like I'm being fussy, but I got slightly burnt once buying long distance so I am being more picky this time.

Other than the above quotes on the problems it sounds OK. Should I let this put me off?
Would it still be an ok buy at $4500 or should I hang out for something better?

On one hand I think shit, Im thinking of buying a car where the owner admits it pulls to the left, has a slightly whiney gearbox that has some vibration and binds up a little, and has rust that has been silliconed up, thats generally not a good start, on the other hand I think its a 18 year old 4wd for 5 grand that has a bit of money spent on it.. how much should I expect?

There was a red safari in darfield going for 5 grand with 33 inch mud tyres, diff lock and small lift, ome springs and winch I think.. It's gone now but that would have been ideal... thats the sortof thing i was hoping to get again.. just not sure if my patience will hold out. Am I unrealistic to wait for that sort of deal again?

[albundy]

In hindsight I would not buy a safari with a body lift, it stresses out the body mounts. Three of mine are currently stuffed reqyuiring fixing and I haved fixed some before. Pulling to the left could also be to do with the brakes. Talk him down a grand. The gear box spacers can be made up out of steal, you just need someone to take one out to get a template.
Al

[Taz]

Deals like that will come around again. I think if your expecting a perfect example of a Safari/Patrol thats 16+ years old your expecting a bit much. That red one was a good buy but has its quirks like any car that old. If I got another one I was personally aiming for the newest year I could find within budget after reading a bit about the changes done to them throughout the years (seach darinz posts, I think he had one or two with heaps of info a few weeks ago or http://www.patrol4x4.com).

I think that first one for $4,500 wouldn't be to bad but if you can't view it I would suggest getting a pre inspection and leak down check done by a local diesel garage and see what they pick up. Don't do an AA test. They are useless gits. An inspection might not always pic up everything but it gives you a good overall picture of what you are getting. (The guy who bought my old LWB got one done down the road and they seemed to do a good job but still managed to miss a leaking axle seal that I had already told him about and fixed after the check.) My old one also pulled to the left but I was so used to it I didn't even remember/notice it till the fellow was test driving it and asked when the last time I have an alignment was :S

I'd be pretty worried about that rust in the guttering and would specifically mention to check how bad it is if you got it inspected first.
If your not completely happy with what your getting though I'd just wait till something else pops up. Not necessarily a bad thing as watching the market will give you a better eye for what is worth what/a good deal and what is a waste of time.

edit:I'd get someone to take a good look at that sunroof to.

[MATT4U]

What about this one, I know for a fact its a good honest truck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/safari/auction-235744338.htm

[aotror]

In hindsight I would not buy a safari with a body lift, it stresses out the body mounts. Three of mine are currently stuffed requiring fixing and I haved fixed some before. Pulling to the left could also be to do with the brakes. Talk him down a grand. The gear box spacers can be made up out of steal, you just need someone to take one out to get a template.
Al

Al, I think this one is only suspension lifted, no body lift. The guy reckons the pulling to the left could be due to the recent suspension lift and not having it realigned afterwards.

[coxsy]

but 75 mm into mine still runs staight

[PR]

What about this one, I know for a fact its a good honest truck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/safari/auction-235744338.htm

So thats why it was being towed home on a transpoter behind a crusier two weeks ago

[aotror]

What about this one, I know for a fact its a good honest truck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/safari/auction-235744338.htm

So thats why it was being towed home on a transpoter behind a crusier two weeks ago

Sounds like its honestly stuffed then?
Thanks anyway PR, it looks pretty good but is out of my budget range..

It seems when you arnt after one there are ones you would like and visa versa.

[MATT4U]

What about this one, I know for a fact its a good honest truck
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Nissan/safari/auction-235744338.htm

So thats why it was being towed home on a transpoter behind a crusier two weeks ago

HAHA, lol good sight a. Na he had a wheel bearing fall to bits on him, replaced the spindle and everything, the otherside was done 6 months ago

[malfunction]

I bought number 4 Dam good fast truck. But as I have a daughter and use it as a everyday driver its not suitable for me, so its up for sale again. It had a few minor issues like brake hoses, wiper blades and interior a bit untidy. But very economical unless ya put the boot into it.
Fastest 4wd I have driven if anyones interested for around $6500 gimme a yell. Oh yeah it lives in wellington now