Nissan Patrol

First generation (4W60; 1951–1960)

In September 1951 the 4W60 was introduced, and was exclusive to Japanese Nissan dealerships called Nissan Store which was later renamed Nissan Bluebird Store in 1966. The overall styling was similar to the Willys Jeep. The 4W60 used the 75 hp 3.7L Nissan NAK engine from the Nissan 290 bus, but with part-time four-wheel drive and a four-speed manual transmission. The grille had a pressed-steel Nissan badge. A 4W70 Carrier-based wagon was available. The 4W60 was replaced with the 4W61 in August 1955.

The 4W61 was introduced in August 1955. The 4W61 was similar to the 4W60 with the exception of the grille (with some chrome bars), a one-piece windshield that sits further back when folded, chrome strips on the hood, and unequal sized seats (passenger's side is wider than the driver's). The other big change is the engine. The 4W61 was powered by the new 3.7-litre Nissan NB engine, producing 92 hp (69 kW), and later was powered by the 105 hp (78 kW) 4.0-litre Nissan NC engine. The grille badge was chrome and red and said "NISSAN". In October 1958, the 4W61 was discontinued and replaced with the 4W65.

In October 1958 the 4W65 Patrol was introduced. The 4W65 was similar to the 4W61 except for the grille, which now had all chrome bars and redesigned front fenders and hood. A "NISSAN" badge was on the grille, and "Patrol" badges were added on the sides of the hood. An eight-seater hardtop wagon, the WG4W65, was available. The short-lived 4W66 Patrol was introduced in December 1956. The only change is that the 4W66 was powered by the 125 hp 4.0 L P engine. The 4W66 was discontinued in June 1960. There was a wagon version of 4W66 called Carrier, from 1956 to 1959.

4W70 series

The Nissan 4W70 Carrier was introduced in 1950 and was based on the Dodge M37. The 4W70 used the M37's chassis, but used the 4W60 Patrol drivetrain and engine. The grille was also different, being narrower, and different front fenders. The 4W72 was introduced in 1955 (the 4W71 designation was skipped) with changes to the hood, grille and headlights. Power increased to 105 hp thanks to the new Nissan NC engine. Modifications again to the hood, fenders and grille and an increase in power to 145 hp led to the 4W73, introduced in 1959 and now powered by the Nissan P engine.

Second generation (60; 1959–1980)

The soft-top Nissan Patrol 60 (two-door; 2,200 mm (86.6 in) wheelbase) and G60 (two-door; 2,500 mm (98.4 in) wheelbase) were first sold in Australia in 1960. Left-hand drive L60/GL60 models were sold outside of Australia.

US customers could only get Patrols from 1962 until 1969. Patrols were sold through Datsun dealerships, making it at the time the only Nissan-badged vehicles sold in the United States until the early 1980s when the Datsun marque was being phased out. An extra long wheelbase version, the H60, was also available.

The 4WD Nissan Patrol 60 series was produced in short, medium and long wheel-base versions. It had a manual transmission type-F3B83L at first with three and later with four speeds, two-speed transfer case with part-time four-wheel drive. The motor was the P engine, a 3,956 cc (241.4 cu in) inline overhead-valve six-cylinder, featuring bathtub-shaped combustion chambers and a fully balanced seven-bearing crank shaft. With two doors in front and one at the back and four seats (driver, and companion in front, two parallel back seats), the extra long wheelbase version (the H60) was available with eight-passenger capacity.

In 1963, the KG60 (and KGL60) hard-top models were introduced.

Nissan Australia claim that the 60 series Patrol was the first vehicle to drive across the Simpson Desert in Australia, and built much publicity around the 50-year anniversary of the event, including a re-enactment with a similar vehicle ending on 21 July 2012 to publicise the impending release of their new generation Y62. However, this version of events differs from the recollections of Griselda Sprigg, the wife of Reg Sprigg, who accompanied him on the trip. In her 2001 book about the event, she describes how Reg in the Nissan was held up on the last day. Griselda and the children went on to Birdsville in a Toyota Land Cruiser which was one of three support vehicles. Reg arrived the next day in the Patrol, making it the second vehicle to cross the Simpson Desert. In Being First is Forever (2012), Marge Sprigg (with Doug Sprigg present) asserts that only the Nissan Patrol G60 did the west-east crossing of the Simpson Desert. Doug and Marge undertook the crossing with their parents as young children. She claimed that the other vehicles did not cross west-east, they used another route. This contradicts the account of Griselda who described how the support vehicles, including the Toyota made the crossing together.

Jonga

In the 1960s, the Indian Army showed an interest in two vehicles from the Nissan stable, they were the Nissan Patrol P60 and the Nissan 4W73. The first production units were completed at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) around 1969. The name as per the Indian army records is Jonga, which is an acronym for Jabalpur Ordinance aNd Guncarriage Assembly. It was built at the newly commissioned Vehicle Factory Jabalpur alongside the Nissan 4W73. The first production units were completed at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ) around 1969. VFJ was sanctioned in 1965 for the production of three non-fighting vehicles for the Indian military: the 3-ton Shaktiman truck from MAN (Germany), the 4W73 (1-ton Carrier) and quarter-ton Nissan Patrol.

Interestingly, both the vehicles from Nissan stable were fitted with the same engines and lots of parts in common.

The Jonga was also briefly sold to civilian customers with a 4.0-litre Hino diesel engine in 1996, but the demand was low, mostly due to uncompetitive price, as well as its unappealing looks. Less than two hundred units were sold in all.

It served faithfully until the late 1990s, when it was replaced by the lighter Mahindra & Mahindra MM550 jeeps. Many army auctioned pieces have also been scrapped by their subsequent civilian owners, or stretched and converted to people carriers in rural areas.

160 (1980–1989)

The 160 series was introduced in 1980 to replace the 60 series. In Australia, these are officially known as the MQ Patrol. In 1980, the engines available were the L28, P40 and SD33. All models were available with a four-speed manual transmission, albeit a three-speed automatic was optional on long wheelbase vehicles fitted with the L28 engine. All 160 series Patrols came with a two-speed offset transfer case, which featured a 1:1 high gear and a low gear.

All models had leaf sprung suspension. The SD33 vehicles feature 24-volt electrics. Different trim options and colors were available, with options including vinyl or carpet floors, and blue or brown interior trim. Air conditioning and power steering were available on deluxe models.

The front differential in all models was C200. In Australia, the standard rear differential was the H233. Some versions featured limited slip differentials (LSD). A heavy duty model rear differential was used in some pickup trucks and P40 engined wagons. This was the H260 model differential. In European markets, where less onerous off-road use was expected, the light duty C200 rear differential was installed in some vehicles.

In 1983, the MQ model was updated. These are commonly known as an MK Patrol, however this does not appear on any Nissan literature or service manuals. Nissan parts dealers do not recognise these initials either. Updates included revised front end with rectangular headlights and an upgraded front suspension. The four-speed gearbox was revised and a fifth gear was added for most models. The four-speed was still used in some lower specced utes, presumably to run out stock. A high roof ("Super Roof") version of the wagon was added at the same time, which was also when the SD33T turbodiesel option was first made available. With 110 PS (81 kW) the turbodiesel can reach 145 km/h (90 mph).

The naturally aspirated SD33 diesel engine was also updated at this time. Revisions included the use of three piston rings instead of five, piston oil squirters and spin on oil filter instead of a paper cartridge type. In Australia and some other parts of the world, the SD33-engined Patrols were also revised to standard 12-volt electronics. To accommodate the extra power of the turbodiesel engine, these models feature a larger clutch (270 versus 240 mm) and larger oil cooler (five rows versus three) than does the naturally aspirated version.

These were the last Patrols to carry the Datsun brand—in line with the rest of the Nissan lineup, the Patrol lost its Datsun branding in 1984 in most markets.

260 (1986–2002)

The 260 series was a Spanish-built version of the 160 (easily spotted by the rectangular headlamps) sold in Europe and was available in SWB and LWB with L28, SD33, RD28 and RD28T engines. The SD-engined version, at least in the UK market, had a 24-volt electrical system. Nissan Ibérica-built Patrols also received a Spanish-made Perkins diesel engine and Spanish transmission to meet local content regulations. It also helped Nissan Ibérica amortize plant investments. The 260 Patrol later received a facelift with a new grille similar to that of the Y60 series which succeeded this generation elsewhere. Spanish production continued until 1994 for export and until 2002 for the Spanish domestic market.

Fourth generation (Y60; 1987–1997)

The Y60 was radically different mechanically from its predecessors as it was the first patrol with coil sprung suspension, proving to be both more comfortable and more capable over rough ground. All Y60 patrols had a three-link live axle suspension set-up at the front, with all wagons (SWB and LWB) having a five-link set-up at the rear. The utility model was available with both a leaf spring rear axle and from 1994 onwards a choice of the same coil-spring rear axle as the wagons. Sway bars were included on both front and rear coil-sprung live axles. Power steering was standard on all models. Some wagon models have disc brakes both front and rear, with the ute retaining drum brakes at the rear. The introduction of a synchromesh on reverse gear was another improvement over the previous model.

The alternative model codes of GR and GQ were applied to left- and right-hand drive models, respectively.

Most models had a rear limited slip differential and some variants had a vacuum or electric solenoid operated manual rear differential lock. A rear sway bar release mechanism was also found on some models. Some Y60s even had a PTO-driven front-mounted winch, with an in-cab control lever found to the right of the gearstick.

The Patrol was branded Safari in Japan, where it featured a 24V electrical system, instead of the standard 12V.

The TD42 and TB42 were available with both a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic gearbox. The RD28T and the RB30 were only available with a 5-speed manual.

Trim levels in Australia included:

A myriad of dealer fitted accessories were available including sunroofs, roof racks, tow bars, driving lights, cargo barriers, and side steps. The TD42 was available with an optional Safari turbocharger at some Australian dealers.

Trim levels in Europe varied greatly country by country. These include designations like SLX, LX and many others in France. Finnish Patrols came standard with 2 batteries.

There were two major updates in Australia, one in 1992 (GQ Series 2), the other in 1995 (minor facelift). The most notable changes in 1992 being the introduction of fuel-injection on the TB42 motor with fuel injection, EGR valve and oil cooler on the RD28T, new seats, new trim, sound deadening and side intrusion bars. Other 1992 Series 2 refinements included the revised transmission, suspension, introducing bigger brakes, bigger wheels and the standardization of limited slip diffs and auto freewheeling hubs. This update also gave the driver new seats, trim and side intrusion bars.

In 1991 the rear indicators, tail lights and brake lights were relocated to the bumper from the body to meet Australian Design Rules, however they stayed the same in the European versions. In 1992 another set of indicators were placed on the front quarter panel.

In August 1993 the TD42 was lightened in order to reduce fuel consumption and make it rev harder. This also had the side effect of weakening the engine. The original engine can be identified by its silver rocker cover, whereas the lightened engine featured a black rocker cover. Also the RD28T got some extra changes, in this case the vacuum pump got moved from behind the alternator to the top of the engine. Also driver airbags started to appear in some European models.

1995 saw a minor facelift, with a redesigned front grille, and the RX model being introduced in Australia.

Known weaknesses include vibrations from the front end (largely fixed under warranty), cracking hinges on the rear door (due to the spare tyre's weight) and rusty rear window frames. The RD28T motor is also known to suffer from head gasket issues when driven with a heavy foot. Also European five-speed gearboxes suffer from bearing failures in fifth gear at high mileages. On the other hand, the reliability of the TD42 is almost legendary. Patrols are also known for their really strong axles and good limited slip differential (when so equipped).

From 1988 to 1994, Ford Australia rebadged the Y60 Patrol, as the Ford Maverick. This was a result of the Button car plan devised by the Government of Australia. The car was mechanically similar, the Nissan version had rear disc brakes depending on vehicle grade while the Ford only had drum brakes and featured different paint colours and trim levels.

All wagons had a 95-liter main fuel tank with the utility having a 90-liter tank and the option of a 95-liter subtank.

Fifth generation (Y61; 1997–present)

1999-2006 Nissan Patrol (GU) ST cab chassis 01.jpg

Y61 models first appeared in December 1997, available in 4.5-litre petrol; 4.8-litre petrol and 2.8-litre turbo diesel, 3.0-litre turbo diesel, 4.2-litre diesel, 4.2-litre turbo diesel, 4.2-litre turbo diesel intercooler variants. The alternative model codes of GR and GU were applied to left- and right-hand drive models, respectively.

Some of the drive train was changed in this model. Bigger CVs, more syncros in the manual gearboxes. The diff housings were widened to fall inline with the new body shape, but diff centers remained the same (H233 and H260). Some of petrol wagons received a coil version of the H260 diff however.

Comfort levels were also increased over GQ, especially in the seating and NVH areas.

GU IV onwards

In late 2004 (2005 model year) a significant facelift model was released, with new headlights, box flares on each guard, and larger tail lights. The troubles that plagued the ZD30 diesel around the variable turbo geometry had been resolved by this refresh. That same year, Nissan stopped selling the Safari in Japan due to poor sales. Nissan also makes a two-door pickup version of the Y61 series available as cab chassis and with a style side tray in some markets. Although a new model has been launched, this Y61 series will still sell for offroad enthusiasts but only with few options as a basic trim.

As of 2014, Nissan discontinued the fifth generation model worldwide, except for Australia, South Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines & some other countries of Africa region where the 4x4 will compete against the Toyota Land Cruiser (J70).

Sixth generation (Y62; 2010–present)

The all-new, sixth generation, Y62 series Nissan Patrol was launched on 13 February 2010 at a VIP event in Abu Dhabi. A luxury version (Z62) was sold as the Infiniti QX56 from 2010, which was later renamed the Infiniti QX80 in 2013. The Y62 was introduced in North America under the Armada nameplate in 2016, for the 2017 model year. It was presented at the 2016 Chicago auto show to the US market as a replacement for the Nissan Armada (WA60).

The Y62 is powered by the 5.6-litre VK56VD V8 with 400 hp (298 kW) and 560 N·m (410 lb·ft), with features such as Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) and gasoline direct injection (DIG), and mated to a seven-speed automatic. A variable 4×4 mode package allows switching between four drive modes: sand, on-road, rock and snow, with the flick of a switch. And a Hydraulic Body Motion Control System is available. Also available are an electronic-locking rear differential, hill start and hill descent control, as well as lane-departure warning, computer assisted braking and stability control. The Infiniti version launched in the United States in 2010, the first Patrol sold there since the 60 series. The Nissan Patrol version launched in Australia in early 2013.

The Nissan Patrol is offered in five different levels of trim in the Middle East: XE, SE, LE, NISMO and City Package. In Australia the Ti and Ti-L trim levels are offered, and previously the ST-L.

In 2014, a significant facelift arrived, with revised tail lights, globe housings and built-in LED headlights. New tan interior was added and new sets of wheels.

Nissan has also introduced a limited-run Patrol Black Special Edition which will be offered in 200 units. These cars will come several enhancements such as red seats, chrome detailing and a black matte exterior paint scheme.

Patrol Nismo

On launching the Nismo brand in the Middle East, The Nissan Patrol Nismo was introduced at the launch event in Dubai along with the GT-R Nismo and 370Z Nismo. Unlike the standard Patrol, the Nismo version comes with (5.6-litre) V8 with 428 hp (319 kW) engine tuned by Nissan's Takumi craftsmen. The suspensions of the vehicle is upgraded with Bilstein shocks and fitted with 22-inch forged-alloy wheels.

Patrol Desert Edition

The Nissan Patrol Desert Edition was unveiled by Nissan at the Dubai Motor Show on 10 November 2015 in Dubai. The vehicle was designed by Mohammed bin Sulayem and it will be sold only in the middle east region.