My HIGHLY modified 69 Patrol

[Fourwdjunky]

So let’s just start with 2003. I found it a couple miles from my house. It had been sitting for 10yrs. The rear axle and leaf springs had been removed because the rear axle was making noise. They took the axle to a shop where they couldn’t find parts. The shop went out of business and god knows what happened to it. I came along and bought the Patrol for $100. The title was in someone else’s name. I paid a wrecker to haul it home for me, and began looking for an axle and springs.

[RiverPatrol]

Hi Jon, welcome back to the Patrol world. Nice to know you still have that beast.

[Fourwdjunky]

Hi Jon, welcome back to the Patrol world. Nice to know you still have that beast.

I hoped you’d recognize it! I’ll never get rid of it.

So I couldn’t find another original rear axle. Back then all we had was the MSN group. An FJ40 axle has the same gears, same lug pattern, and it’s only 2” narrower. For springs, I thinned out a set of 52” springs from a 73-87 GM C/K-10. It fit 31x10.5” on FJ40 15” wheels. It was a very capable and fun rig.

[Fourwdjunky]

Wheelin on 31’s was fun, but all of my friends had taller trucks, so I figured it was time for a spring-over. We took it out for a spin, experienced some axle wrap, and and found the weak link. The FJ40 pinion gear twisted in two! A buddy hooked me up with some Dodge 3/4-ton axles, and we swapped them in. We had to outboard the front springs and we stretched the wheelbase to 100”

[Flaggoni]

Hey there fellow Okie…
I’ve got a less-than-shiny vent door for ya here in Owasso. I’ll PM you.
Mild Bill

[Fourwdjunky]

So before I could even test out the stock engine on the 3/4-ton axles and 37’s, it failed to start. I tried everything. Replaced all of the ignition components, checked timing, tried starting fluid, and it still wouldn’t start. I checked the compression. 35psi. I had a POS 1982 Dodge D100 with a healthy 1990 5.2L. I also had a NP435L and fixed yoke NP208 sitting in my shop floor. It seemed like a no-brainer.











Originally, I modified the throttle linkage to work, but it only gave me 1/2 throttle. So I swapped in a pedal and cable from an 84 Chevy C10. Worked so much better.

[Fourwdjunky]

So my idiot cousin wrecked his 94 Ram 2500. It was an upgrade I couldn’t pass up. More power + EFI + serpentine belt setup. Yes, please!

















Also pictured is my ScoutII steering box and hydro boost.

[Fourwdjunky]

Here are some pics of my hi-steer. I reamed out the stock Patrol arm for 1-ton TREs.

[Fourwdjunky]

My re-centered HMMWV double bead locks

[Fourwdjunky]

I’ll try to get some updated pics of it out of the shop tomorrow. Here are some specs:

1969 Nissan Patrol
Engine: 1994 Dodge 5.9L V8
Transmission: NP435L(6.68:1 1st Gear) using a modified 1966 bell housing with hydraulic clutch
Transfer case: NP208 fixed-yoke(2.61:1 LO Range)
Front axle: 1973 Dodge D44 HD 4.88:1 gears
Rear axle: 1973 Dodge D60 4.88:1 gears
Front suspension: Stock 1969 Patrol springs, SOA, shackle reversal
Rear suspension: 73-87 GM 52” springs, thinned out, SOA, 6” long shackles
Steering: 1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer tilt column, custom intermediate shaft, 1979 ScoutII steering box, drilled and tapered 1969 Nissan Patrol pitman arm, custom draglink with 1-ton TRE’s, hi-steer arm and milled flat-top knuckle
Brakes: 1984 Chevy C20 hydro boost unit and dual-circuit master cylinder, 1996 Chevy K2500 front rotors and 1979 F100 front calipers, stock 1973 Dodge W200 rear drums
Wheels & Tires: Re-centered HMMWV double bead locks and 37x12.5R16.5 Goodyear Wrangler Military
Other mods: On-board air compressor, notched rear fender wells to allow more legroom up front, j-hook wiper arms, LED lights, bucket seats
Future mods: Ram assist steering, custom tie-rod using 3/4” heim joints, triangulated 4-link rear suspension, rear disc brakes