Another OEM Nissan Patrol part bites the dust...

[moore_rb]

Well, after weeks of searching from here to Japan, my quest for a pair of original Nissan Patrol steering drag link dust boots (Nissan part 48522-44200) has led me to conclude that these parts have reached the mythical "unobtanium" status (unless/until Mike at Datsunlandsocal begins offering replicas of them )

Luckily, I have landed on a fairly decent "2nd best" alternative - decent that is, if you don't mind using Toyota parts on your Patrol...

Toyota 45457-60010 seems to be a good substitute -

CAM00789.jpg

It is a hair smaller in diameter than the Original Patrol boot, but it does stretch over the Patrol's drag link with a little persuasion (a benefit of it being a little snug is that it will hold the grease in really well )

In place, I think only the most hawkeyed Patrol freaks will spot it's unoriginality - It even has a hole in the correct location for the grease zerk:

CAM00788.jpg

I added a record for it in the searchable parts database:
http://parts.60patrol.com/parts


Let me know what you all think...

[jwgreen]

Awesome find Rob!! Looks good to me.

[moore_rb]

Thanks...

I should warn everyone that these Toyota boots are only barely easier to come by in the US than the original Patrol boots are... The guy at my local Toyota parts counter said that his system only showed 4 of them in the entire US (2 of which are now mine ) - but, you can still get the Toyota piece out of Australia pretty easily if you google the Toyota part number...

[RiverPatrol]

Very good discovery. I'm not opposed to using Yota parts in a pinch.

Did you check with Spector Off-Road while you were sourcing this? I wonder if they carry it?

[moore_rb]

I didn't find it in a search on Specter's website...

Cruiserparts.com offers it, as do a lot of the other online Toyota parts drop-shippers. However: there are also a ton of Nissan parts drop-shippers out there who still offer the the Nissan 48522-44200 part as well; but soon after you order it, you get a follow up email saying "Sorry, our bad- your part is unavailable, and Nissan currently offers no restocking date"

The Toyota seal is fairly common on Ebay out of Australia, so I don't think they are all that rare, it's just a matter of tracking them down, and turning a blind eye to the price and shipping charges

[miller]

Good find Robert. Seems a good replacement to my bicycle tube dust boot I have currently