Trans Africa with a Patrol
 

Hi , we are planning to go from The Netherlands to Capetown. The car of our chioce is a Nissan Patrol GR 2.8 DT Wagon 1990. Is this car relaible? Is the engine powerfull enough? Are there parts in Africa for this car? Of course other good options are welcome.

Please advise...

Thank you Tom & Laura

Course
 

Yes, the patrol is good enough, powerfull enough, robust enough.

I met a dutch couple that did Trans africa and halfway back in an old patrol. There'll be spares in most but maybe not all countries. It's handy to carry the necesary consumables, and ask around for what items do break on that specific model (but don't be tempted to carry a spare diff, gearbox or axle)

easy car to work on as well.
basic mechanics

make sure you check(change) crucial points before you take off.

Travel
 

I recently did london to Cape Town via 17 countries. We did use Nissan Patrols but slightly newer models. We had 4! Not 1 problem ...none.... the only thing i suggest you do is get at least 6 extra diesel filters as we ran into many problems with the quality of the fuel.. all the best

only weak point of the early 2.8 TD models is the cilinderhead which cracks easily. But by now probably all the bad ones have gone through that stage and got the newer heads??

Hi

ould not hesitate to use this vehcile if it is the best/cheapest option available to you.
With ref to Surfers comment above maybe plumb in another in-line fuel filter.

G' luck

do you think that would only double up the trouble... u still going to have to change em.. or is that jus for safety so no nasties get through to the jets... now that would be a problem....

pre-filtering
 

It'll slow fill-ups, but if you use a foam filter (or at least a gauze) at the filler tube this is a simple way of keeping the grit out of the system. Water contamination is another issue but modifiying the fuel line might cause more problems.

Otherwise, take lots of fuel filters - they're cheap!

Thank you for your reply, we decided to buy an Nissan Patrol 3.3TD R longwheel base. It is huge car and almost ready to go. We are planning to leave februari 2007!!

See you in Africa!

Hi
Just read a report from some guys working in northern Kenya - just thought it might be applicable - forwarned, etc etc...

1.Due to the rough terrains, tyres for the new NISSAN PATROLS and MITSUBISHI PAJERO are unable to sustain the terrain. We have had to purchase new tryes for those areas in Arid Areas. However, so far only Firestone tyres can make it in the rough terrains.

2.The Nissan Patrols are too delicate for the Arid and Semi Arid Areas because they are too sensitive to the fuel consumed. One of the vehicles lost a fuel pump because of the adulterated fuels in these areas. One fuel pump costs Kshs 540,000. In this regard the vehicles shall be withdrawn from these zones.

Maybe buy a reconditioned spare fuel pump to keep handy?