Newbie Non-Cruiser

canucksafari · 01-18-07, 10:13 PM

Hi guys. I have been watching this section and other sections of IH8MUD that has any relation to JDM diesels for a while now. As you can guess from the name, I don't have a LC. I have a pretty much stock Nissan Safari Gran Road (AKA Patrol) LWB TD 4.2 naturally asthmatic. Actually it is quite a bit better now after the IP rebuild and new injectors. But hey, even a stock Safari is more capable than many modded NA Trucks. I have probably seen some of the members of the Coastal Cruisers around Abbotsford or you might have seen me. Actually saw 3 LCs JDM units this morning driving around Abby in less than 15 minutes. There are only 3 Safari's that I know of in the Southern BC. So there isn't much of a group to run with. The pick in the avatar is not mine but it is pretty close to my truck. Any ways, some time in the future, if you're okay with it, I wouldn't mind going on a trail run with you guys. I have to do tires and rims before anything serious, as the winter tires I have now are too soft for any shale or sharp rock and my rims are rather soft alloys. They look nice but won't take any banging. Cheers, John

Scalp · 01-19-07, 11:37 AM

John:
Try coming to our next Coastal Cruiser meeting on Thursday, February 8, at 81 Moray St, Port Moody. Moray crosses the main drag, St. John's, by the Dairy Queen. Meeting starts at 7:45 p.m. Check us out.
~Bill

canucksafari · 01-19-07, 12:15 PM

Thanks Bill. I will see if my wife can handle the kid's soccer practices that night. Cheers, John

mikehj60 · 01-21-07, 10:13 AM

hey I know of a safari in Yarrow(just outside of Chilliwack)...never talked to the guy but looks like a nice truck, do you know him?

canucksafari · 01-22-07, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikehj60

hey I know of a safari in Yarrow(just outside of Chilliwack)...never talked to the guy but looks like a nice truck, do you know him?

That's Sonny (AKA Hardbull on Patrol4X4.com). We haven't met yet. He just got his truck in Nov. There is another in Langely and another in Victoria. But the Safari owners in BC are still a very small group. Cheers, John

crawlin cruiser · 01-23-07, 08:58 AM

patrols rule. Is yours a GQ? im not shure what models are what years

Scalp · 01-23-07, 10:32 AM

Dan, WHAT ON EARTH are you saying, "patrols rule"? YOU'RE FIRED!

crawlin cruiser · 01-24-07, 08:36 AM

patrol axles make cruiser axles look like twigs. Cool machines

canucksafari · 01-25-07, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawlin cruiser

patrol axles make cruiser axles look like twigs. Cool machines

Hey Dan thanks for the compliment for my truck even at dire risk to yourself. I presume you know the Aussies and their civil war regarding cruisers and patrols.

Anyways, my Safari is the same as a GQ. It was only marketed in Japan as a Safari. A few GQ models were sold in Australia as a high roof similar to mine. I can't understand why in the h*ll somone in Japan would want or need a high roof. The high roofs seem to be the most popular to import so far. I wouldn't get it again, as I have to take the light rack and roof rack off to get her in the garage. The TD 4.2 engine is about as strong as they come. Nissan messed up when they turboed them. Nissan put in weaker pistons on the turbos - WTFW - no one knows. Runs fine on the factory turbo but there have been many cases of failed pistons on GUs fitted with aftermarket turbos running over 12 lbs boost. The trucks were origonally designed as a military vehicle and came in a number of configurations. I know that Nissan sold them in the US up to the late 1960s. It would seem that the GU model has gone the way of bling and there has been some lapse in certain areas of quality and strength. The GQ is mated to a virtually bullet proof drive train - 5 speed tranny. The GU models (1998 and on) came out with even stronger difs and CVs. However, they also came with a lousey turboed 3.0 engine in addition to the historical 4.2. The GU tranny has also a bad rep for blowing the 5th gear. Hopefully, I will make the meeting and you guys can check it out for yourselves. She is still quite stock but I have hopes to do a 2" lift and some other stuff. However, having to fork out almost $2,000 for an IP rebuild at Valley Fuel Injection has set those plans back a bit. I should have listened to Cory at Kodiak.

, John

Stone · 01-25-07, 11:18 AM

Heck, at least you have a cool truck. I don't even have one right now, making me a pathetic wannabe.

cruiser_guy · 01-25-07, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canucksafari

Nissan put in weaker pistons on the turbos - WTFW - no one knows. Runs fine on the factory turbo but there have been many cases of failed pistons on GUs fitted with aftermarket turbos running over 12 lbs boost.

I saw a Nissan Patrol naturally aspirated engine in Honduras in a shop and the rings were melted into the lands on the pistons!! I'm not sure of the year but I am pretty sure it was a six banger.