Hi all would very much appreciate feedback or experiences in capabilities of a 2004 Nissan Patrol 4.2 diesel as tow vehicle. Our van is 2500kg. Thank you.
Good second hand 4.2 Patrols are as scarce as rockin horse poo.
Having said that get it checked by a VACC warranted mechanic, in particularly the radiator as they do have a tendency to run a little warm depending on towing conditions. Not a big deal, usually a radiator flush every two years.
It is part of the beast.
If I wasn't buying a new 3.0 litre Patrol every two years, I would have one myself.
We have a 2003 TDi, 4.2 litre, towing a 3.5t Kedron caravan. No issues. If you can find one, grab it.
Re: heating issues, we have found the engine does get warmer with low revs on hills when towing. It needs to be driven like a truck - lower gear, high revs. WE have found 80kmph, 3rd gear, 2800 rpm, no heating issues. At no time have we overheated, only engine temperature got warmer.
Would not swap ours for anything. 85,000k when we bought it, on the road now for three years, up to 175,000 still going strong.
-- Edited by Dunmowin on Thursday 10th of July 2014 09:45:52 PM
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DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
these older patrols will not last long. keep looking... but they are a rare as hens teeth. When we were looking for ours, there were 5 in aust on Carsales.com. two were in Brisbane, one of those was only 30 minutes from home. that is the one we bought.
__________________
Pay it forward - what goes around comes around
DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
When we sold our Nissan 4.2 we were inundated with buyers. Could have sold 10 of them easily. We used it to tow a heavy Phoenix off road caravan & it did the job well.
