Finally, "The Rumor" confirmed...

[npca-riverpatrol]

Over the years many of us Patrol enthusiasts have happened across a rumor either on the Internet of by word of mouth. The actual content may vary, but the basic gist of the rumor regards why the Patrol is no longer imported to North America.   The rumor basically goes that back in the late 60's Datsun made an agreement with Toyota, that Datsun would let Toyota have the Land Cruiser market if Toyota let Datsun have the sports car market in North America. And, when you stop and think about it, 1969, the last year that Patrols were imported, was also the shortly after Datsun released the 240Z. Look into some Toyota history and you'll find that Toyota had the 2000GT in production at that time. This car would be major competition for the 240Z. So, the rumor seemed to have some validity - although none of us Patrol enthusiasts want to believe that they would do that when Datsun had such a great utility vehicle.   Well, as chance may have it, I have had the opportunity to put this rumor to rest. Having previously taken my Patrol to Nissan oriented car shows, and with the Patrol impressing the right people, I was invited to take my Patrol to this year's National Z Convention, specifically the car show held on Saturady at Nissan Headquarters in Gardena. The big draw for the event, other than the hundreds of Z cars was that Mr. K, Yutaka Katayama - "The Father of the Z Car" - would be there. Although he was constantly overwhelmed by hundreds of respecting fans, I did find the opportunity to speak to him in person alone.   I respectfully recounted the base of the rumor to him, and asked him if this is indeed what happened. His response was, "Well yes. I was more interested in the Z."   So, there you have it. Not only is the rumor true, but it was Mr. K himself that made that business decision.   I made my say for the entire Patrol community. I did let him know that there are still many Patrol enthusiasts in this country, and there are web sites where we communicate with each other. I let him know that many of the Patrols are still around and appreciated. He seemed interested, asking me where in the country these people are, and where I was from. He had had the opportunity during the show to see my Patrol. He was surprised when I told him that I had 5 Patrols. Maybe a seed was planted, maybe not. Mr. K does still have some strong influence with Nissan.   Just wanted to share this everyone. 'Love cars, love people, love life'. Enjoy!

[npca-fud]

Leslie...you ROCK! Very cool and very awesome!   Maybe a seed was planted, maybe not...but one thing is for sure a Patrol pioneer was born this weekend. Congrats on a job well done...all I can say is thanks so much!   Ian RMP&O

[npca-nismo]

Some weeks ago there was a Show in California by the people of Nissan, in it they gathered journalists from all over the world and introduced them to cars not available to their markets, there was the Micra, a very popular car in Europe, the Skyline, the one in 2 fast 2 furious, the Xtrail and of course the PATROL, anyways I just watched it on TV.,  and maybe there´s hope that someone in the American market may get interested in Importing the Patrol to the US again, only time and wisdom of the President of Nissan will tell. By the way you all know that a couple of years ago Nissan was bought by Reanult and managment was changed and the New Nissan President, a former Renault executive is a Brazilian guy, so maybe new guidelines to the US market and the feedback from American journalists will bring back to US soil the PATROL. Rod

[npca-riverpatrol]

Ya know, you bring up an interesting personal dilemma.   What if Nissan did start importing the new Patrols? Would I want one of the new ones? The auto market is currently so inundated with SUVs that it's already hard to pick one if you wnated one.   Back in the 60's when the Patrols were being imported, your choices were few. If you had the $$$ and wanted the most reliable, best built utility vehicle on the market you would most likely go with the Patrol.   Would I want a new Patrol? Where do they rate with what is currently on the market? Are they built with marketability in mind, or are they built to be a reliable, heavy duty utilitarian vehicle as they were in the 60's?   I like my 60's Patrols for there pure ruggedness and simplicity. Much the same reason some people are attracted to the Land Rover Defender 90. But I know first hand that the North American version of the Defender is not very reliable at all. Look at the new Titan and Armada - they already have a few problems. Brake shudder for one.   They don't build 'em like they used to. If they want to start importing the Patrol, okay. It would be really nice though if at the same time they would give us availability to parts for our old Patrols - these same parts that are currently available in other countries. That's what I would like to see.

[npca-fud]

To awnser your questions about the newer GQ & GU Patrols...   Yes they are very durable and built to last. Many guys in Oz get 500,000 kilos out of them with no major repairs. They are still solid front axle which makes them better than any Nissan sold in the USA both for durability and also for better off-road performance. With front, rear and center factory lockers they can be a very capable off-road truck. Not to mention they are coil sprung for greta wheel travel. They come in short wheel base, long wheel base and pick ups. Good tranny and trnasfer gearing and a variety of diff ratios make them great for hard work or depending on choices highway use too. There is even an auto tranny. I believe up to recently the trannies were made in the Nissan truck factory so this results in bomb proof trannies in all Patrols. They are famous for their trannies.   Is there a market for them in the USA? Yea I think so but no idea how large of one. Just like Chevy and others they come in luxery and non-luxury so you can choose what you need. Base models don't even have carpet, top end models have coolers built into console, glove box and rear compartments. And everything in between. Not sure if GU's got them but some GQ's are even fitted with PTO's.   I doubt you will ever get the parts freed up. Many are going fast for the old trucks. Things available a year ago are no longer available. Renualt changed Nissan policies to increase profit. One thing changed is dealers can now only sell inside their respective countries. Another change is large increases in price on old parts. Reasons I suspect are to encourage dumping the old truck and buying a new over repairing it. Honestly, even if more parts became available from Nissan I doubt I would buy them much as the prices are through the roof. To rebuild the engine in a 60 series using Nissan parts would run well over $3k and easily up and over $4k. Camshaft alone Nissan lists for over $600!! Tranny rebuild would run close to $3k also for a 3spd with only two sets of synchro rings. Their prices are out of hand....I can go on about this for awhile.....

[npca-4x4xjonx4x4]

I would buy a new one. Watch the online reality show Mixed Messages with a friend and enter to win a trip to NY

[npca-got_mojo_19791]

I have owned several newer nissans and they never gave me any trouble or let me down. They were all very high mileage (200,000 +) I believe the newer patrols wouldn't let us down. They may not be as tough or unique ,but i'm sure the ride is a lot nicer. Just my opinion.

[npca-eyepez]

; I own an 84 MK and absolutely love it. I would but ; a newer one in a second, BUT I am tired of Nissan's policy on parts. The problem ; is not only in USA. I live in Ecuador and I can't find anything for my car. ; Fortunately, nothing has broken yet. The engine doesn't sweat a drop of oil. ; They are fabulous cars, but what if something breaks? I've been told that I ; could find parts in Colombia, but that's a bit of a hassle. Luckily I have ; the L28 engine, which is popular in USA, but what if I break a tail light? Or an ; axle? I'm not a purist, but I'd hate to drive around with Land Cruiser parts in ; my Patrol.

[npca-nismo]

To answer your question npca-riverpatrol, I own a Y61 td 42 diesel one, top of the line version, anyways they are built to last with a chassis, solid front and rear axle, a "real truck" construction oriented towards off road more than highway use. They still have the spirit of the older Y60 and G60models but with more confort such as Automatic Air Condicioning, sunroof, coolers, ABS, Airbags etc.but mechanically still built to last!!!!!........ The PAtrol was NOT designed with the US market in mind meaning no yuppies highway ussers, The PAtrol is still a down to bussiness type of truck, if you want luxury or extremely comfortable highway ride.... shop somewhere else............ if you want a real go anywhere type of truck then the PAtrol is the right for you. unfortunately, with all that in mind, I think that The PAtrol will not be appealing to the average American buyer, since other "so call trucks" offer more items to the liking of the average american buyer, including a softer ride, real cup holders etc. Anyways, I think that the show in California was a first step, maybe I´m wrong, maybe the US market will welcome the PAtrol as it is or maybe the next generation PAtrol will find its place in US market. Hopefully the journalists in that show had the chance to really enjoy the Patrol!!!!!!!!!!! Rod 

[npca-riverpatrol]

Thank you Nismo and Fud for the Consumer Report.   It's good to know that they are still built tough, not like the everyday SUV's. I would definitely be interested. I've had my share of the 'luxury' SUVs: 4 Pathfinders ('87. '90, '94 and '98 - the first 2 weren't so luxury), a '97 TLC and a '99 Lexus LX470. Yes, they're nice for carrying a lot of cargo on a long trip, or even going to the grocery store. The TLC and Lexus have gone up the 1 mile, dirt, steep, twisty, ice-slicked road to the cabin in PA in the dead of winter (the '97 Defender got stuck). The Pathfinders racked up as much as 200k miles with little repairs. All reliable vehicles, to their intended extent. The Pathfinders got me places I didn't think they'd go, but also got stuck where I wouldn't have expected.   I know what you mean about the US market. They want the SUVs that ride nice and have the TV in the console and the GPS in the dash and the cell phone built-in. The furthest off-road they ever see is into the driveway. I personally have no use for most of that. Since I do frequent the Mojave Desert, A/C is a must - but only when the temp is over 95 degrees. But, I'm probably not one that the marketing people would want to use for there surveys, though. I HAD to have a Pathfinder the first year they came out - when they were a 2-door - because it was as close as I could get to a Patrol (which I had admired for years) while not being able to afford a TLC, or switching manufacturers. It took a few years after that for the monicker 'SUV' to come out, let alone the vehicles to become popular. Guess I was a pioneer.   Sorry, never have been into diesels, so that would not be a selling point. But, I think it would be totally cool to see the Patrol re-introduces here. Hopefully, like you say, maybe the right someones will start to consider it.   Sorry to hear that parts are hard to come by in other countries, too. You'd think if the model was still being sold that they would be more available. I know in talking to people this last weekend that even current model parts are hard to come by. One parts manager told me that the 'most popular Nissan air filter' is on backorder, as well as brake shoues for the Titan and Armada. Tends to make you wonder how well Renault is runnin the show.