Review: Nissan GU/Y61 Patrol wagon (1997-04)

Review: Nissan GU.I Patrol wagon (1997-00)

Overview

Released in December 1997, the Nissan GU Series I (GU.I) Patrol was a four-wheel drive wagon. Manufactured in Kanda, Japan, the Nissan GU Patrol was initially available with either a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine or 4.5-litre petrol inline six-cylinder engine. In May 1998, the GU Patrol range was further expanded with a 4.2-litre turbo-diesel. Furthermore, the range consisted of DX, DX5, ST and Ti variants.

Four-wheel drive system

The Nissan GU Patrol had a part-time four-wheel drive system which included a limited slip rear differential as standard. The GU Patrol had free wheeling hubs whereby the front wheels could be disconnected from the front half shafts. The Patrol DX had manual free wheeling hubs, while the Patrol ST and above variants had automatic locking hubs.

When the transfer case was engaged, the 4WD system provided a 50:50 front:rear torque split. The low range gearing provided a reduction ratio of 2.02:1.

The Patrol Ti was also fitted with a vacuum-operated rear differential lock.

Body and dimensions

With its ladder frame chassis, the Nissan GU Patrol DX was 5010 mm long, 1840 mm wide, 1875 mm tall and had a 2970 mm long wheelbase. The Patrol ST and Ti differed in that they were 1930 mm wide and 1855 mm tall.

Suspension

The front suspension of the Nissan GU Patrol consisted of three-link coil springs and an anti-roll bar, while the rear suspension consisted of five-link coil springs and an anti-roll bar. For the front and rear suspension, the double-acting shock absorbers were located behind the coil springs.

For the GU Patrol, suspension travel was 220 mm at the front and 240 mm at the rear. As such, the GU Patrol had an approach angle of 37 degrees, a departure angle of 31 degrees and a ramp angle of 27 degrees. Furthermore, wading depth for the GU Patrol was 700 mm.

Safety equipment

The Patrol ST variants were fitted with a driver’s airbag, while the Patrol Ti variants were further equipped with a front passenger airbag and ABS.

Brakes

The Nissan GU.I Patrol had 306 mm by 32 mm ventilated front brake discs and 316 mm by 18 mm solid rear discs; semi-metallic brake pads were fitted front and rear.

Features: Patrol DX, DX5, ST and Ti

Standard features for the Patrol DX and DX5 included an AM/FM radio with two speakers, 50:50 split second row seats, a tilt adjustable steering wheel, vinyl floors and an immobiliser.

The Patrol ST added a four speaker stereo with CD player, air conditioning, power mirrors and windows, central locking and side steps.

The range-topping Patrol Ti was differentiated by its 16-inch alloy wheels, six speaker stereo with six-stack CD player (mounted in the rear cargo area), dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking and bull bar.

Review: Nissan GU.II Patrol wagon (2000-01)

Overview

Released in April 2000, the Nissan GU Series II (GU.II) Patrol wagon introduced Nissan’s ZD30DDTi engine, improved safety equipment and cosmetic updates. The GU.II Patrol could be identified by its new front grille with a bolder ‘V’; the Patrol ST was fitted with body-coloured front bumper over-riders, while the Patrol Ti had a chrome horizontal grille.

Inside, the GU.II Patrol had new front seats with thicker headrests (adjustable for the ST and Ti) and larger seatbacks. New seat cloths were introduced for the Patrol DX and ST, while second row headrests and a left footrest for the driver were introduced for the Patrol DX.

Safety equipment

For the GU.II Patrol, safety equipment was improved with a driver’s airbag fitted as standard across the range (previously omitted from the Patrol DX). The Patrol Ti was also fitted with front side airbags.

Features

For the GU.II Patrol ST, standard features were extended to include height and lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat and remote central locking.

The Patrol Ti gained leather seats, power adjustable front seats (four-way for the driver’s seat and two-way for the front passenger seat) and a power-operated glass sunroof with tilt/slide operation.

Review: Nissan GU.III Patrol wagon (2001-04)

Overview

Released in October 2001, the Nissan GU Series III (GU.III) Patrol introduced a new 4.8-litre engine (Nissan’s TB48DE), updated styling, retuned suspension and a quieter interior. In February 2003, the 4.2-litre TD42Ti diesel engine was introduced

The GU.III Patrol could be identified by its new grille, headlights (including multi-parabola halogen headlights for the Patrol Ti), tail lights and bumpers. The Patrol DX and ST were fitted with a new instrument cluster, while the Patrol Ti had ‘Fine Vision Meters’.

In August 2003, the GU.III Patrol range was expanded with the Patrol ST-L.

Engines: TB48DE and TD42Ti

Nissan’s 4.8-litre TB48DE engine was an evolution of the TB45E engine and featured:

• Nissan Induction Control System (NICS): could change the length of the intake port. At low and middle engine speeds, the variable intake valve would be closed to increase intake tube length and enhance torque output. At higher engine speeds, the variable intake valve would close to shorten the intake path; and,
• Nissan Valve Timing Control: varied the intake valve opening and closing time via a cam phaser that was driven by oil pressure.

The TB48DE engine had a compression ratio of 9.0:1.

In February 2003, the 4.2-litre TD42Ti engine was introduced. Replacing the TD42T3, the TD42Ti engine added an intercooler and electronic timing control for the fuel pump. Furthermore, the TD42Ti engine adopted the radiator from the TB48DE engine. The TD42Ti engine had a compression ratio of 22.7:1.

Safety equipment

For the Patrol DX and ST, standard safety equipment was limited to a driver’s airbag.

The Patrol ST-L was further equipped with a front passenger airbag and ABS, while the Patrol Ti was also fitted with front-seat mounted side airbags.

Brakes

Nissan GU.III Patrol models with the TB48DE engine had an upgraded braking package which consisted of 316 mm by 34 mm ventilated front brake discs and 330 mm by 18 mm solid rear discs. The brake caliper piston area was also increased to 41 cm²at the front and 20 cm²at the rear (previously 36 cm²and 18 cm², respectively).

Features: Patrol DX

Standard features for the GU.III Patrol included 16-inch alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player and remote central locking. To coincide with the release of the ST-L, the Ti gained a DVD player with a roof-mounted screen, two sets of wireless headphones and a remote control.

Features: Patrol ST

The Patrol ST was further equipped with an AM/FM radio with four speakers and an in-dash CD player, air conditioning, driver’s seat with height and lumbar adjustment, moquette seat trim, front cornering lamps, a leather shift lever and gear shift transfer knob, side folding third row bench seats, remote central locking, power windows, dashboard illumination control, map lights, carpet floor covering and variable intermittent wipers. While Patrol ST models with diesel engines had 8.0JJ 16-inch steel wheels with 265/70 R16 tyres, models with the TB48DE engine had 275/70 R16 tyres.

Relative to the DX, the Patrol ST, ST-L and Ti could be identified by their over-fender flares and side steps.

Features: Patrol ST-L

Compared to the Patrol ST, the Patrol ST-L added power adjustable front seats, rear air conditioning and leather seat trim. The Patrol ST-L could be identified by its body-coloured bumpers, over-fender flares and body side mouldings.

Features: Patrol Ti

The range-topping Patrol Ti was distinguished by its 8.0JJ 16-inch alloy wheels with 275/70 R16 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, ambient temperature display, compass, woodgrain trim and a glass power-operated sunroof (tilt and slide operation). The Patrol Ti could also be identified by its chrome front grille.

From August 2003, the Patrol Ti featured a DVD player with a flip-down screen mounted into the roof, two sets of cordless headphones and a remote control.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Nissan Patrol (fifth generation)