New 4wd or Turbo owned one ?????

[offroadfreq]

Hi All,
I have a dilemma. I currently own, outright, a 98 4.2 non turbo diesel Patrol, which I have owned since new. It has just clocked 300K and is looking a bit tired. Mechanically it has never let me down, I had a small electrical problem which has magically fixed itself, apart from regular servicing and tyres it has only cost me a new clutch just before Christmas and an alternator a month ago.
Now that I have finished my trailer and taken it away a couple of times I realise in order to keep my sanity when going up hills or a slight rise I need to either get rid of it or turbo and intercool it.
Money does not come into the equation as I get a car allowance and therefore am able to get back whatever I spend.
All help is greatly appreciated, oh and no I will not sell it to go backwards to a toyota....... 

[Silvo]

I went to a Toyota and have never looked back..

But back on topic, I'm not a big fan of adding something to an engine that wasn't there from factory. My suggestion would be to buy another vehicle.

[dno]

Hard call, You've got a good truck. What size tyres are you running ? If your running bigger rubber you may need to change diff ratio's, rather than looking at turbo.                 

[offroadfreq]

I had a toy then upgraded to my GU 

Thanks dno, I am running 33's, so would this make such a diffence? Who should I talk to to fix the ratio ?

[Black Diamond]

A turbo upgrade could get expensive if you want to keep it reliable. You probably want to look at freshening up the motor as well as other things.  The dollars can add up fast and still reliabilty would be a factor.
If money is not in the equation then go the upgrade mate. If you wanna stick with Nissan have you considered the V6 Diesel Navara?

[jtraf]

300k is not that old for a TD42 if you know the service as you do.......if you are happy with everything but the power inject some life into it with a turbo.......mine really came to life with a turbo.......intercooler is on order since getting the trackabout but mine is auto though..

[Bird]

Whats your budget? You can spend $20k if you like, and get round 250rwkw
Many TD42's around with 160-200kw.

Your on a winner knowing its history, and "looking tired" does it need a $250-300 full interior and exterior detail?

Have you ever had the injectors and pump serviced? - CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! Should be done a few times in 300,000klms.
What tyres are you running? if they are 285's they will suck the power out of any engine, specially with a trailer.
How many tons does your patrol weigh? This is something people dont take into consideration.
Are you happy with how it goes without trailer?
Do you have $50k to spend on another 4wd? + $ to set it up again?
These engines regularly make 500,000klms with several on the forums making the 900,000 mark

To get your diff ratios sorted see Kent at Glenmount Automotive... Patrol owner and racer himself, great bloke with a hot secretary

If your car is already setup, and should be after all this time and your happy with that, its DAMN expensive to start again - specially if you cannot take the goodies with you. I've done it and everything is "$1000ea".... :'( suspension, tyres, bar, winch etc

I ended up going with a Garrett Turbo update on mine, and I have from the Dyno on Dyno sheets:
265 AT's: 386 Ftlb (522.75Nm)
265 AT's: 130rwkw@102kph

285 MTRs: 312 Ftlb (422.54Nm)
285 MTRs: 111rwkw@108kph

It isnt cheap to do the conversion properly but hell worth it!

Not that its much, but with the loaded trailer, and loaded car on 285's heading away to Fraser or Flinders (cant remember), I still left a Terrano tryin to get round me as the lane closed out at the lights until I missed 3rd

You can pickup Factory GU Turbos on ebay complete ready to bolt on for ~$1000 and factory intercoolers for few hunge with piping and bracketery.

Sounds like you need to go test driving a turboed one and see if you are happy with it. If not, go see the bank manager

[dno]

33s are part of the the prob when towing, sounds like you need more pony's  .

[BeNos]

mate just turbo the gu. plus get the pump and injectors done at the same time and you wont know yourself. the td42 is good for a few hundred thousand kms and a conservative turbo and cooler will make life alot less stressful. they do handle them quite well. either go factory turbo setup or something like a dts or turboglide kit. imo you wont be dissapointed.

[Captain]

Its a hard call! You have a good vehicle but you would like more power like the current crop of new vehicles. But everywhere I have read about turboed 4.2 Patrols, they seem to show they have overheating issues when you try and turn up the wick  :'(  While adding a turbo will certainly give more get up and go, I cannot but think you will then end up with have the overheating issues. Do you really want to add a question mark of reliability to a vehicle that has given such sterling service over the years?

There becomes some point in time when you need to move on to a new vehicle, the hard bit is knowing when is that time!

IMHO you have had a good ~13 years of service and you could sell it with a clear consience that its a good vehicle. If you were to buy new right now and hang on to this new vehicle for another 13 years, it won't be till 2024 that you will be faced with this same decision again 

Cheers

Captain

[Bird]

But everywhere I have read about turboed 4.2 Patrols, they seem to show they have overheating issues when you try and turn up the wick 

I read that too, quite often, yet to see it happen in person though from the several fairly well modded GU's in my club.

[offroadfreq]

Thank's guys you have made the decision a little easier, I will be keeping the Patrol!

However, first I would like to change the diff ratio's to suit the 33's, very new area to me - does anyone know what to go too? Where to get a good set from and is it easy enough to replace them at home?

Once I have done the ratio's, I will put some extractors on and then increase the exhaust to 2 1/2". I know from past experiences with my very first car, a 6cyl Commodore this made all the difference and helped with the economy as well.

If still unhappy with the power I will put a turbo and intercooler kit on.

How does that sound? Thoughts?

[Bird]

However, first I would like to change the diff ratio's to suit the 33's, very new area to me - does anyone know what to go too? Where to get a good set from and is it easy enough to replace them at home?

Remove the diff centers and take them and get them fitted - while they are out you can get your Lockers fitted.

Once I have done the ratio's, I will put some extractors on and then increase the exhaust to 2 1/2". I know from past experiences with my very first car, a 6cyl Commodore this made all the difference and helped with the economy as well.

extractors wont do Shit on the diesel for power. Save your money.
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/ bout a billion threads on it here.

[AussieBob]

extractors wont do **** on the diesel for power. Save your money.
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/ bout a billion threads on it here.

Agreed, same for Landcruiser diesels (tried it twice), save your money...
Bob

[dno]

Check your ratio's will probably be 4.1, if your checked your speedo and it's out by about 7 Ks give or take 1K, with 33s good chance it's 4.1 ratio. A change to 4.3 will bring the speedo back to the right reading.

[Davepatrol]

Thank's guys you have made the decision a little easier, I will be keeping the Patrol!

However, first I would like to change the diff ratio's to suit the 33's, very new area to me - does anyone know what to go too? Where to get a good set from and is it easy enough to replace them at home?

Once I have done the ratio's, I will put some extractors on and then increase the exhaust to 2 1/2". I know from past experiences with my very first car, a 6cyl Commodore this made all the difference and helped with the economy as well.

If still unhappy with the power I will put a turbo and intercooler kit on.

How does that sound? Thoughts?
[/quote


Depends on what ratios your've got now, I changed mine from 3.9s to 4.3s which made a big differance and not reving to high at 100k. I,m running 33 MTZs
Cheers Dave

[offroadfreq]

Ok, so NO extractors!

Exhaust system???

What about a supercharger? Anyone know of someone putting one on??

Thanks guys

[Bird]

Ok, so NO extractors!

Exhaust system???

What about a supercharger? Anyone know of someone putting one on??

Thanks guys

Theres a bloke on outers who has a GQ with TD42 with blower on it and one with a turbo on it.
In his build thread he says go turbo everytime.. Cant remember who it was, but theres some info over there on it.
www.outerlimits4x4.com Hes also on the patrol forum I mentioned.

[WilSurf]

A mate has done the same with his LC105.
Had a turbo and intercooler installed.
The power  is more then the standard 4.2TD.
He is very happy with it.

[DANBRI]

Definitely keep it. Put some money aside, refresh the motor (or at least a thorough inspection) and turbo/intercool it.

The TD42 with turbo combination is like strawberries and cream.

You'll also increase your resale by 10k.

[JethroT]

While I was shopping for a new vehicle I spent some time checking out the Patrol Forum and found it to be a great site for all sorts of information on Patrols.

I bought a Prado because I found the right vehicle at the right price at the time, but you can pick up some good buys with a patrol and long as you buy a model after about 2004 the 3 Litre is ok.

If the power isn't enough there is plenty of advice on the Patrol Forum about extra performance.

Regards
Geoff

[offroadfreq]

I just picked up an intercooler on ebay for $1 , no hoses or leaks, so guess I am now definately keeping the mighty Patrol 
Now who has a spare turbo - I'll pay twice what I paid for the intercooler, CASH!!!
Thanks very much for all your feedback guys n' gals..... I will keep you posted

[GU_Thomo]

I am not sure but I think the Turbo 4.2 has upgraded pistons.
Having said that there are plenty running around with aftermarket turbos.

Cheers
Parry

[Kit_e_kat9]

Can't beat the new car smell ...

[WilSurf]

Can't beat the new car smell ...

I am sure you could buy perfume with that smell.