Is it a wise decision?

[npca-dunno]

I've been pondering an older 4x4 for quite some time now.  I've been particularly interested in Scout 80's and Toyota FJ-40's.  But a week ago, while at work, I drove past an old 4x4 that I'd never seen before with a for sale sign in the window.  Of course I slammed on the brakes and pulled over to check it out.  A 1965 Nissan what?  Patrol?  Never heard of that before...   To make a long story short, I haven't contacted the owner yet but a quick initial inspection showed that the vehicle seems to be in fairly decent shape.  A lot of surface rust, but no holes to be seen, only one bend in the pass rear fender, and the rear bumper is a little tweaked.  I've done some research and found that the Patrol was one of the most admired 4x4's of it's time though from 61-69 less than 3,000 were imported.  And there in lies my question.    I really love the unique nature of the Patrol.  From what I've read it was only rivaled by the FJ's in power and handling was rated top notch.  I would love to own one.  But due to the limited release to the USA it seems that aquiring parts could prove difficult if not impossible.  So my question to you readers is this:   "Based on your personal experiences, do you consider purchasing a Patrol a wise idea?"  How difficult is it to find parts?  I will be making the purchase of a 4x4 mostly for recreational four wheeling.  I would seriously consider the Patrol based upon it's reviews and novelty, but I don't want my beloved older 4x4 to become a hassle.  What do you think?   Mike

[npca-gary]

Mike, The inital question is, what do you want to do with it? My  thought is this. If you have no immediate need for this truck and if you like puttering around with mechanical things, you may be a canidate. If you like meeting employees of parts houses and various other people who for one reason or another have access to Patrol parts, then you may be a canidate. Also if you have enough discressionary funds to pay the price for the remaining parts that are available for the Patrol.  Then by all means buy it. It is unique. Total strangers will come up to you an ask what year your Range Rover, mail truck or Land Cruiser is. You will on occassion be able to pull a Jeep out af a spot that you had no problem with. If you push it hard you may find yourself looking for one of the very few axle shafts that are left. Top speed by the book is 78mph but not a pleasent experience.. In the rough you'll wish for a lower first gear. If you do need something right now and don't like automechanics, Don't buy it.  I have had mine for just over three years. I paid $2,400 for it and I have recently gone over $11,000 in the total investment which I will never see again.  I can see at least $1,000 more to spend on it.  Would I do it again.  Hell yes, I love the dam thing.  Gary

[npca-roc8man]

Mike,   I was in the same boat as you about 3 years ago. I was looking for a 4x to build up into a great trail machine. I considered the FJ40, CJ7, Series II LR and Scout II. But I saw this darn Nissan commercial where there's an underground garage that has some really nice vehicles. I first thought I saw an FJ40, but after seeing the commercial a few times it struck me that this was a NISSAN commercial, not Toyota. Next thing you know, a friend at work puts up the exact poster of that "dream garage" in our cube. The poster said it was a Patrol. I figured it was fate. Since then, I bought 3 Patrols.   Mechanical parts can be had from most Nissan dealers (not cheap mind you but what dealer is). This list is a good source of compatible parts too (cheaper than the dealer). Body parts you have to get from someone else (people on this list can help there too).   In stock form compared to all the contenders, it's superior. Where can you get waterproofing to 40 inches straight from the factory? Hand crank start it. It has more power than any other 4x of it's era. You know about the suspension. Boxed frame too. It's incredible. Sorry if I sound like a salesman, but when you look at all it's merits, it's worth noting them.   Good luck and remember, you can be a sheep with a Jeep, or you can be unique.   David

[npca-jahdavebob]

If you love REAL 4x4's, you know the ones that are actually made of metal, BUY IT. You are off to a good start by knowing what you will be gettin into, but mine is more than worth it!!!Dave

[npca-grant]

>>I drove past an old 4x4 that I'd never seen before>>with a for sale sign in the window.  Of course I >>slammed on the brakes and pulled over to check it>>out. A 1965 Nissan what?  Patrol?  Never heard of >>that before... WOW... that is exactly what happen to me. Gary and the rest hit on all the pros and cons, so Ill try and hit on your main question... PARTS. Just so you know, for the last two months I have been gathering up all the parts I will need to rebuild the engine, brakes, suspension, and some of the body. And buy rebuild I really mean replace... cept for the engine.   As for the engine I have bought new water pump, fuel pump, carb, clutch place, clutch, throw out bearing, sleeve, clip, clutch master cylinder, clutch slave cylinder. And there is a place online that carries a complete gasket and rebuild kit for the engine. Story behind that is that NISSAN used the engine in their heavy duty forklifts for year after they stopped making PATROLS, thus the kit.   As for breaks I bought all new break drums, master cylinder, slave cylinders, shoes for a complete break job. The rear break cylinders I had to get from Aus and were after market, but the rest I got from NISSAN here in the USA. They made the PATROL up to 1980 in Aus.   As for the suspension, well, there is a place in Aus that carries new leaf springs... but I have yet to hear back from them... they are aftermarket and are a little stiffer, and give a 2" lift over stock. I prefer stock, but NISSAN only carries the front leaf springs, the rears are no longer listed.   As for the body, there is a place online (in Aus) that carries some fiberglass stuff, but, when you consider that most of the stuff on the PATROL is straight panel stuff it shouldn't be to hard to fix... Only the front fenders are going to be hard to come by as time goes by. Oh, I even found the part number for the original rear blinkers... and I think I may have found the part number for the front blinkers. I ordered the fronts, they have not come in yet, but the rears did and they look great!   As for the front and rear ends... As Gary noted the shafts are hard to come by... Haven't found any new ones via NISSAN yet. But... there are places that can make them from scratch... but I hate to think what that might cost... Good news is TOYOTA stuff will work... I know I know.. I hate to think that myself, but it is an option.   About the only show stopper I can think of off hand would be the transmission.... I haven't look into parts for that yet... But Ill bet they are hard to come by... That would be one thing to get an extra of if you plan on keeping it for awhile. To sum it up... you would be amazed at what is still available from NISSAN   Grant