Couple nice looking Patrols popped up on ebay

[RiverPatrol]

Beginning in '68 they were welded on. Prior to that they were bolted on like these. Then about '78 or '79 they went back to bolt on, but different design. Either way they frequently get in the way of rocks and such and get torn off or bent up.

[RiverPatrol]

Just my opinion, but I would be very wary about the auction on the tan Patrol in FL. It got bid up in the last auction then immediately relisted. Now it's got the same bidders bidding on it. I strongly suspect that at least 2 of those bidders are shill bidders there just to get the price up. Beware.

[mdawg4x4]

Wikipedia might give you that type of information, we don't have anything like that here. Here, we are mainly about the 60 series Patrol. The 60 series was produced from 1960 to 1979, and it was only imported to the US rom 1962 to 1969. So the FAQs are easy: no A/C, no power steering, no disc brakes, no 4 speed. The 4 speed became available in 1980, behind the P40 engine. I don't know that any of those made it to the US.

Here is a great link for Patrol history info: http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan60.html

Here is a pretty good timeline, although it still doesn't provide the detail you are looking for: http://patrolheritage.nissan.com.au/

I thought the removable top was the AC!

[RiverPatrol]

Actually, I use the windshield vents.

[overton]

Here's a 74 that was described as a medium wheelbase Patrol. Truck is in Colombia and would be north of 20K delivered to the USA. Not real keen on sight unseen with these off-shore 4x4's.

Did South American Patrol's vary from USA models? I know the FJ40's in South America came with no heaters, roll bars, disc brakes, dashpads, and bench seats vs. buckets - very bare bones usually but no clue on Patrols. They also were often "hammered" work trucks.

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[Esteban]

South American Patrols, both in Colombia and Ecuador came bare bones as you mention, but pretty similar to the counterparts here in the States up to 69. The heater was considered a "luxury" item and paid additional duties, so it was never included. Other difference, very minor, is that they continue to come until 79 with the engine breather chimney, so fumes from the oil chamber were discharged to the atmosphere, and the ones here in the States were diverted back into the air filter. The difference with the Australian models is also negligible, and mostly in the emissions department.

The rest is the same. A mirror design change here and there, a padded dashpad was added around 77, improved seats also around that year. Engine power and transmission remained the same. All Patrols imported to Colombia were medium wheel base and canvas top, since they pushed the local fiber glass manufacturing. In Ecuador you got both, the short wheel base and the medium, and a few pickups. All short wheel base ones came with the steel top, and the others with canvas top.

One thing is for sure: they have plenty of miles, most all of them. Probably 2 or 3 rebuilts, and road conditions were not that great. Both Colombia and Ecuador had local manufacturing for the spring packages, because there was demand.