I have two of them: a 91 and a 93. The 91 is a 5 spd 7 pas LWB and the 93 is an auto 5 pas LWB. Both are NA TD4.2. In 1994 the TD4.2T (turboed) became an option which dramaticlly increases the zoom factor. Almost all of the Safaris (Patrols) came with a LSD or vacuum locker rear dif. Some came with factory PTOs (highly sought after) or electric winches. Some also came with dealer installed camping kits. The TD4.2 is known as a 1,000,000 km engine if it is regularly serviced. There are well documented cases of them going way over that before any major overhaul. They are unaffected by turboing with moderate boost. The TD4.2 is an industrial engine and found in UD Tuck, Buses, Nissan Marine and Nissan Forklifts. The Safari/Patrol is used by a number of militaries around the world. It is also used by the UN peacekeepers. NA, it will easily push you along at 110 km/hr on the freeway. However, on the top of the Coq hill you will find yourself down to 60 km/hr in 3rd gear. All TD4.2 have twin oil filters. Some 1991 TD4.2s have a full flow filter and a by-pass filter (more $). The sump holds about 11 L of oil, so oil changes are not cheap. Factory skid plates run from half way through the front drive shaft to well past the T-case. Most Safaris come with auto front hubs. Some come with auto/manula hubs. The later is now sought after by the comp guys in Australia as they are built much stronger than other manual or full auto hubs.
Issue areas to watch out for is rusting rear window frames, broken window regulators (the weakest item in the Safari because the damn 24V motors torque snap the welds on the regulators), leaky injection pumps (esp pre 1993), diveted rockers (valve lash must be set every 40,000 kms), loose wheel bearings and worn body mounts. As these engines are indirect injection and therefore soot up quickly like the 3B or 2H, oil changes have to happen every 5000-6000 kms. If that doesn't happen, you can expect premature wear. A compression tests and leak down test is recommended. Most of them have their origonal shocks and springs. All Safaris can benefit from a 2" suspension lift available from any ARB dealer ($1200 +/-). The autos can go a long time if the fluid is regularly changed and a transmission cooler is added. If not, they tend to fall apart around the 200,000 - 300,000 km mark.
Parts, if you need them are available from many Nissan dealers (but you need to provide them the part numbers), from Rocky Mountain Imports, and from a number of online sources in the US, Australia and the UK. There are also a few crossover parts from various LC models to the Patrol.
Check out Patrol4x4 for a lot more information. It's an Aussie forum but we have a Canadian section there as well as a section for Safari specifics such as its 24V system.
Good luck.
