Offroad-Express

Hi Guys
Am looking at getting a Diesel SWB GQ as an offroad and daily driver. Putting suspension lift with 35" tyres. Upgrading power by various means (probably include turbo).
The question is, apart from the normal debate of auto verses manual is there any particular advantages, disadvantages or issues relating to the nissan auto's
Also is there any difference in engine specs with the later model GQ diesels
Cheers
Murray

I personally prefer the manuals, but in saying that, I now need to get used to an auto as thats whats in the new Safari.

From memory, up to 92 ran heavier pistons which would be better for turboing at a later date.

DaveM wrote:I personally prefer the manuals, but in saying that, I now need to get used to an auto as thats whats in the new Safari.

From memory, up to 92 ran heavier pistons which would be better for turboing at a later date.

ive got an auto and for the clutches ive gne thru in the past wldnt go bak lol the only thing is make sure u have a decent sized oil cooler for ya auto as they over heat with out them if ya wrking it and at a slow pace on a hot day and ive towed plenty of weight over the otera pass and its stil going lol

You dont need to worry about staling with an auto I have an auto and wont look back and yea I think the only diffenence was the pistons

No PTO winch option on the Auto's.......

Thanks for your comments guys. Much appreciated
At the moment I am running a v6 manual pajero and Hilux Twin cab but am currently looking for a good SWB GQ to take their place so am looking forward to getting a "Real Truck" Yay !.
Have heard that the pre 92 autos were weaker and had cooling problems but the post 92 factory oil cooler was good. Aparantly the 4.2 auto's ( 2.8 diff ratio's different ) were higher geared than the manuals so might struggle with 35" tyres.
Autocraft said with a 50mm suspension lift on the auto you might still get vibration even after the gearbox is dropped because the auto gearbox is longer.
Apparantly the Warn low mount electric winch ( 8000 lb ?) that comes standard on some of the trucks is way underpowered for the weight of the truck
Cheers

Apparantly the Warn low mount electric winch ( 8000 lb ?) that comes standard on some of the trucks is way underpowered for the weight of the truck

I woukld seriously debate that. My Warn M8000 winch has recovered me out of some serious shit and a dead surf up the ministaircase over Reefton way, this is a very steep slope. My truck was sitting at 85* over Lake Daniels way two weekends ago and the winch pulled it out just fine on a double line pull.
Al

Hey Al
Is your winch ( Warn M8000 ) the same as comes standard on some of them. Any solenoid problems ?? . Also whats the Possibility of tucking them up and back a bit to increase approach angle.

Must depend on the winch itself , my warn struggled to pull my safari, and of the 3 mates that ran the 8000lb that came on theirs, one upgraded to a 12000lb, the other 2 went pto

I love my manual and get bored with auto. also you cant be tow started should you need it. if you are putting 35'' tyres on i would question the gearing, i had a problem with a rangerover and had to go smaller tyre. i am sure someone will say they have no problems though. i know someone and his GQ wouldnt stay in top gear.

I have been racing an 89 GQ auto for the past 3 years. Started with standard auto behind TD42 with a Safari turbo, intercooled and 21psi. The auto had no problems with it but I did a few simple mods.
First and foremost, trans cooler. Bypass the factory (in the radiator) cooler as the passage ways in it are too small and they gets blocked which starves oul to the get seat and causes a very expensive meltdown.

I know have basically the same auto with a few mods (well maybe more than a few) behind the VH45 turbo I now run. (280rwkw) The auto can handle it easily.

The key to an auto is to learn how to drive with it as it is a different way of driving to a manual. Manuals are great if only they didn't have a clutch. Auto's great if only they had more control. I have manual shift auto as it give the best of both types.

The psot 92 (series II) auto's have agreater oil capacity and a slightly different valve body but it is interchangable. I've just fitted the old valve body from my 89 into the auto in my 96. The factory cooler is the same in all GQ's untill they went to the ali radiator which I think was the 95 and the difference is then only because of the different rad.

By the way I have an 1990 SWB GQ auto forsale if interested.

I spent $4000 on getting the full,1 yr garenteed ,rebuild through Marshalls trans in Hamilton.Never got the full story on what went wrong,get this my Ma in law was driving while I was away on xmas hols.I had left it locked in my garage with keys hidden. Now I've got the extra oil cooler and the overdrive won't select until about 10 km open road running (not really a problem).I'm told that the valving is temp sensitive and even old nissan powered vl commodores were known for the same thing.[/img]

I have a mate with a Auto Nissan and he thinks its the best thing since sliced bread. I have herd Nissan autos are better than the manuals, but dont hold me to it

Hey Al
Is your winch ( Warn M8000 ) the same as comes standard on some of them. Any solenoid problems ?? . Also whats the Possibility of tucking them up and back a bit to increase approach angle.

Yeah that's the one. No problems as yet and I really work that winch at times. Go to this link and you can see pics of the winch and custom front bar. The winch is right up under the radaitor and all protected.
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14129
Al

I have a auto in my saf it is great but the only thing that has caught me out is limited engine braking going down hills in the low gears it still runs away on you

63swb wrote:I have a auto in my saf it is great but the only thing that has caught me out is limited engine braking going down hills in the low gears it still runs away on you

ya get round that by getting an exaust break out of a late model isuzu and installin it so i hav jst found out

that sounds interesting. might have to give it a go

If You are worried about the elcetric winchs, dont bother with them. I recommend getting a manual with a PTO winch, the nissan ones are f**king strong as and give little trouble with, the right sheer pin, compared to an electric winch. All in all, If you get a (good condition) manual safari that has a turbo TD42 (4.2 liter diesel) and a pto winch, ya cant go far wrong at all! Bloody good strong trucks.