An open forum for all enthusiasts of the classic 60 series Nissan Datsun Patrol to gather and share information and gain knowledge. Members share off-road stories, restoration advice, modification ideas in an atmosphere free of a single controller. The fo
RiverPatrol wrote:Um, other than the housing I don't think that even looks like a Patrol differential. Esteban?
I was comparing that picture with one when I rebuilt my differential and it is from a Patrol.
Unbelievable the amount of wear and marks left by the pinion gear!!
Whew, thanks Esteban. I compared it to this pic of rdarnell's viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5383&start=90 and it just didn't even look close. Probably the extreme wear is making it look distorted. Being that he said this is the front diff it looks like it's spent a lot of time in 4wd. I've never seen one this worn before.
Firstly I want state to you that I meant zero disrespect to you RiverPatrol and I thank you for your reply. Thank you as well rickheiserman for your explanations. Hello Esteban and thank you for your clarification.
Picked the 69 Patrol up and got her near me just prior to the plandemic occurring and so not much has been able to be done because of the timing. This is the first vehicle we've purchased for the purpose of restoring and whoa did we pick a good one huh. The Patrol runs and purrs beautifully but the only things major that we've done is a have the radiator gone through along with having the fuel tank being cleaned. Can anyone point me in a direction where I may find someone to possibly repair the differentials and/or where I may find replacements if they exist? I would prefer to stay away from alternative solutions such as modifying the chassis to accept different housings not related to the Patrol but will go there should that need be necessary. I live in Seal Beach California, is there any Patrol aficionados or someone familiar with the Patrol's here in the southwest that might want to take on this type restoration?
No need to apologize, I can confuse myself sometimes.
Breathing life back into a Patrol is a project that requires perseverance. There have been a handful that have been able to hand off the project to someone else, typically with a lot of expense. You're just going to have to start checking with some shops to see if they're willing to take it on. Maybe Nissan/Datsun shops or shops used to doing restorations on older cars. And even if you find someone willing to take it on you will still have to find the parts for them to use because they don't have the time to go looking themselves.
Your best bet for locating replacement axles is to post in the 'Wanted' category. As rickheiserman suggested being active with the forum also gives you more exposure. Checking the 'Parts' category regularly, sometimes people post things they're getting rid of. And as is often the case, sometimes you have to buy a whole 'nother Patrol to rape the parts off of. That option has become pretty cost prohibitive lately though since the value of even a parts Patrol has gone up considerably. Sometimes a cheap one will show up but you have to be Johnny-on-the-spot to find it and get it before someone else does.