Hello all,

I'm looking to gather knowledge from all those that have already beat themselves up over this topic. I feel that it is time for a super conversion. Here is the situation. I have a solid running 1979 Ford Bronco (my father bought it new in 79, but it is rusted). I would love to fix it up, but it just is not a unique and as fun as a Patrol. I got a few estimates and the 79 would cost at least $1500 to paint to cover the rust, and that is at a cut down shop. So her is my question... Could I get a 351w w/ 4spd T-18 tranny into my Patrol less than the $1500? I know that I need to swap out the Patrol axles with ford axles that can handle that kind of power.

Here are some pics of the bronco.

Those axles are going to be hella wide for a Patrol.

John has the 302/C6 combo in his. The 351 has a taller deck and is a tick wider, but it seems it should fit. The concern would likely be the steering shaft clearing the exhaust.

Jason...

I won't tell you what to do but I will toss in a few options for you.

In Aus a place called Dellwo Auto has kits to fit a v8 to the stock 3spd. Just do a search in google for Dellow auto. If you are light with your foot after the v8 put in the truck I think you will get at least 1-2 years out of the 3spd and diffs before they break, maybe longer. AZ Run would be the ultimate test and also a bad place to have something break. I think the kits are fairly reasonable price wise from Dellow. Also a place called the Hot Rod Shop or something like that has kits for v8 conversion. These kits are different and some require more mods then others.

A real good place to ask about v8 conversion is www.outerlimits4x4.com as a bunch of MQ/MK Patrol owners have done conversions. The MQ/Mk will be a lot different but you can educate yourself somewhat by reading up on that forum and asking some questions. Guy like v8 Patrol aka Kingy are super well informed and very nice guys.

Next...I hate to see a Patrol killed so to speak but what is most important is how well the truck fits your needs and wants. If you will be most happy with the truck using a v8 and better tranny than the 3spd then by all means go for it. Fitting domestic stuff to it will be a lot easier than keeping it Nissan and upgrading. If you start now, research it, make some good decision and have some cash to spend I see no reason why you could not have the truck converted and tested plus ready to go for AZ Run.

Lastly, if you strip the Patrol down it will be 100 times easier to work with to do any converting. If you have seen my thread on RMP&O about the 67 chassis (Un-named Patrol) you will see how easy it is to work with the chassis. The body and so forth out of your way and you can really bang out the work. The body is easy to remove, I have tore down several and with the right tools it can take way under 5 hrs to remove the entire body. That is drinking beer too! Having the body off will also allow you to clean it up and rattle can the body very easily. Pound out dents and so forth willbe a breeze too. Busted nuts and bolts can be replaced easily and cheap. If the Bronc turns out to not be the best doner for your ideas you could always sell it and then pick up something that better fits your needs. With the help of Datz I think you could do all this fairly cheap and easily. A good welder and some help with engineering it is all it will take. If there is issues with the 351 being to tall it is realy easy to do a body lift on the Patrol, especially once torn down. Customizing the crossmembers will also be super easy once it is stripped.

Final thing to toss in....there is a guy on NPCA site who has a SD## turbo from a Scout with a B/W tranny/transfer. He wants $1800 as it sits but been trying to sell it for awhile. So I think he will take $1500 or less for it all. He says it runs good...clean it up and fit it to the truck and you not only get a 4spd but also a diesel. Just another option...

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Originally posted by Desert Rat:
Those axles are going to be hella wide for a Patrol.

John has the 302/C6 combo in his. The 351 has a taller deck and is a tick wider, but it seems it should fit. The concern would likely be the steering shaft clearing the exhaust.

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Yeah, I spoke to John about this already in some detail. I think he is still interested in swaping axles with me. I really don't want to go super wide with the Big Bronco axles. He also said that the 351 will fit in great. He is looking for one himself. It would be cool to find someone who could make the modifications to convert to power steering (like my bronco has).

Fudd, I would never want to put a v8 infront of the grubby 3spd. The real kicker for me with the Patrol is that dumb 3 spd and no locker. I would like to stay with the P engine if only Marks 4x4 would sell that super 5 speed that was available all those years ago. He is a grub, at least give us the spec so we could build it.

The other thing is that I'm about to have 3 strait weeks off (starting today! ) so I would like to be productive with this time. I will likely paint my Patrol at my friend's place but he is too old and has back problems to do any welding (need for modifications)for the conversion.

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Fudd, I would never want to put a v8 infront of the grubby 3spd. The real kicker for me with the Patrol is that dumb 3 spd and no locker. I would like to stay with the P engine if only Marks 4x4 would sell that super 5 speed that was available all those years ago. He is a grub, at least give us the spec so we could build it.

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Understood but guys have and do this alot in Aus. I would not fear it breaking from power up to 300hp. Unless you stomp it or drive like a teenager. There are many many Patrols in Aus running a 308, 327, 302, 351, 383 in front of the stock 3spd and stock diffs. It will take a lot of thrashing or an already bad drive train to kill it. But I do understand the feelings about the not so fun 3spd and no lockers. Also in Aus guys run the same engine in front of the MQ/MK 4spd & 5spd with C200 diffs. The drive train is tuff and can and does take it well. The drive train in Patrols is made or was made in the Nissan large truck factory and that is why it is so strong and well know to be very tuff. Simply email Mark and ask him if you do not believe me.

BTW, I know what Mark used to build the 5spd. It is simply the Cabstar 5spd guts fitted to a custom built box. Mark made or had the box made and then simply fitted the Cabstar guts to it. I have pictures of his 5spd for the 60 series if you want to see it.

With your time frame and limited budget I would suggest using the 351 and 4spd from the Ford. Like I said if clearance is a prob for the hood then simply body lift the truck. Body lifts are cheap and easy to get and come in a variety of sizes. On a Patrol it will be very easy to lift the body and fit the new body mounts. Steering shaft being your biggest prob. For diffs you could hold off and use your stock ones if they the same side for drop. Other wise maybe trade the Ford ones for some Dana's or Toyo's. John fitted an FJ40 rear diff to his truck and you can get lockers for it. It all seems easy enough to do to me if you can weld and fab.

hey Jason...while surfing I cam across this and thought you might like to see it. No pics but a description and number. It is in Aus dollars so it really much less than $2500....plus it is not a hard price! Didn't you say once you would pay $4k or similar for the 5spd? Here is a new Mark's 5spd and a 327 to go with it in a truck for under $2k!!

I am pretty temped to call the guy and see if he will sell it to me! Or even to see if he will just part with the tranny....

AD DETAILS:
MAKE/MODEL: Nissan Patrol
YEAR: 1978
PRICE: $2,500.00
BODY: hard top
TRANSMISSION: manual

Nissan Patrol G60 1978 4WD blue hard top 5 speed manual, V8 327 Chev, electronic ignition, new genuine Marks Adaptors heavy duty 5 speed transmission, new running gear, brakes etc Sunraysias, body rust, no rego, unfinished project, over $6500 spent, $2500 negotiable FAIRY MEADOW 0412-27 3554.

not as interesting to most people but here is another. this is a Patrol pick up....only about $750 for it plus shiping to USA and it will have an H260 rear diff. temping to buy this one just for the rear diff and truck cab!

MAKE/MODEL: Nissan Patrol
YEAR: 1978
PRICE: $1,100.00

Nissan Patrol 1978 G60 model, tray utility, mech. excellent, straight body, good paint, some rust, gas (in date) VIN e867476tt $1100ono (03)53689330 (0407)812770 Gordon.

Fudd, You make a good point about the Ausie trucks. But what would it cost to ship one of those here? 3K and 4 months later???

Well, I just talked to a guy today. He is ready to do the entire swap project for $2500. This includes:

351, 4spd, Big Bronco axles (maybe Datz will trade with me) Power Steering, power brakes, Exhaust, turnkey electrical wiring, welded up skid plates. If I can give him one month for the project to be completed. Unfortunately this guy has moved his shop to Lake Havasu now, he was in Flagstaff for the last 22 years. He could start as soon as September.

Any thoughts?

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Fudd, You make a good point about the Ausie trucks. But what would it cost to ship one of those here? 3K and 4 months later???

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It will not cost $3k to import a truck. More around a grand and that is for shipping plus customs fees. Of course then you have to pick it up in the port. I also do not think 4 months is how long it could take. If you bought one today and wanted to import, I would say 1-3 months is a reasonable time frame. A lot depends on how soon a shipping company can package and ship the rig plus how long customs holds it before clearing it. The actual shipping is only about a 2 week journey for the rig.

$2500 and at least 2 months from now before it is done. Plus you kill the Bronco that might fetch some money. Hard decisions...I do think you will like the conversion and you are getting a lot of bang for the buck. But if it was me I would go for importing. Main reason for that being I want and am into Patrols not sold here on our soil. Plus a (L)G60 is MWB and that is better off-road.

That is me though...what you do should suit your needs, budget and wants in a truck. Maybe pick up the phone and call the Aussie with the 327 & 5spd Patrol, just for fun! Just remember they are on different time then us...

Well Fudd,

You bring up some very good points. I love my Patrol, but at current mode it just does not meet all my needs. I really want to consolidate to one truck. So it needs to be able to drive long distances at 60 mph, but kick ass off road. Maybe I'll look into importing an 80 diesel and forgeting my current Pat. I realy like your diesel model that you picked up. If I were to find one of those that was RUST FREE I would grab it. There were a few in New England that a friend looked at for me over the last year, but they were all rusty. I have no problem paying to fix or rebuild an engine or whatever, but rust kills me. I feel like I'm wasting my time and money. I feel that as long as you take care of a rust free vehicle than it should remain that way.

I didn't realize that it was so affordable to import a truck all the way from Ausie. So is south america about the same? I just think that a diesel is the way to go until fuel injection was introduced. It makes a huge difference for those of us that live at 7000ft and then like to drive at sea level too.

seems it just the two of us chatting on this Jason....

I did get your msg yesterday. A 4spd from a MQ will not bolt to your P engine. Not only that it has an entirely different mounting. I have the wheel cylinder you seek, no problem with that. If it front or rear you need?

I really feel that a few of the big things holding the Patrol back in the USA is it's tranny and lack of upgrades. If you were into FJ40's and wanted a 4spd, disc brakes and lockers you could have them but on a Patrol it not an easy thing to do without completly changing the engine & drivetrain.

For somebody who just wants to enjoy the Patrol for what it is they are great trucks. But for needs like you have they are hard to fit the bill. No real low 4wd, no lockers, not a good top end, limited suspension options all makes it simply tuff to do or get the way you want. I myself still love the 1960's Patrol and what it is. I enjoy working on them and also using them even if limited off/on road. I just cruise around the town I live in though and don't tackle the hardest trails.

Most MQ's I seen won't be rusted out if they were well taken care of. My 83 only has light rust in very few places. Many I saw in S.America were the same way. In a way you shuld fear rust on an MQ/MK because body parts not available easily, yet. And the sandwich desind of the body makes it much harder to repair the rot. Guy with body skills and it is no probs but for the rest of us it is not a go.

You are a young guy Jason so by the time you are my age there will be much more options for importing, meaning better Patrols (newer). So maybe just do what you want with and to you 69. Use it and down the road in the future consider a better truck. Such as an LG61 or MQ Patrol. Personally I like the LG61 the most. Look at the one in my siggy...this truck is nicer than your 69 and didn't cost me an arma nd a leg. It has no rust and runs very well. I like it so much because it has the old school body style but more modern drivetrain. All 61 series have the MQ 4spd, c200 diff (ARB lockers available), and a lower 1st gear. Plus things like disc brakes and power steering and a 5spd upgrade are easy to do on them. A G60 is also MWB and that is better off road. Really nice LG61 in left hand drive can be found for a reasonable price. Then you have to import it but the result is a very rare Patrol nobody else has plus it can be made to be better suited for use. The LG61 was made from 1980-1984 and was Nissans truck to compete with the FJ40's of the early 1980's. The MQ was comepetion for the 60 series TLC.

Yet, A diesel MQ will be very hard to find if not impossible to get in S.America. They just didn't get many diesels down there if any. Most all of them, both the MQ & LG61, have the P40 engine. I like the P40 motor though and with headers, ignition upgrade and so forth it can be upgraded nicely.

Any ways...I am rambling on a bit now. Don't really know what to suggest to you at this point. Convert yours I guess. Or get an LG61!!

Yeah, it does seem to be mostly just us chatting. Were did your MQ diesel come from? Can't they come out of Canada too? But I imagine that Canada would have quite a bit of rust too. My thing is that I don't mind paying a premium price for a properly engineered part, like the ones you can get from Ausie for the newer patrols. I think I might start looking into the newer Patrols. You brought up a good point if I gut the bronco I'm just killing a truck that is still functional and has value.

As far as my current patrol, once I get my vac advance and that wheel cylinder (driver's side rear) from you it will be nearly perfect. It runs great, it is totally rust free, drives great down the road, and kicks butt off-road. I may just have to do what you did and sell it to start my super search for the ultimate Patrol that meets my neads. Can you email me your mailing address and how much $ I need to send you to cover shipping and the wheel cylinder. I'll send a money order for the part as soon as I get you address. My zip code is 86011

here is another suggestion....

fix up the Bronc a bit. Get the Patrol top shape. Use them awhile without trashing it and then sell both and toss in a bit more cash. I can offer suggestions on how to get a good price for the Patrol on ebay and such. Then you should have a chunk of change to play with to find another Patrol. With $3k in hand plus cash for the import I can find you a real nice truck and also handle the import for you. Since I have no imported a truck yet for a customer I am willing to do the first one on a "bro" deal. But in the future my trucks won't be so cheap. I will also be fixing them up before sale so it is a bit different. I had decided to do a 15% finders fee for locating a truck, this being 15% of the trucks cost. But like I say I can do a bro deal on the first one...

I can promise you this though...even if you imported a Patrol and ended up not liking it for what ever reasons. You have something much more rare in the USA than your current Patrol. this means selling it would be easy, fast and you would profit from it. Since it seems you go through autos a lot, buying selling, I am not sure...but if you sell a truck right it will sell it's self. There are tricks to this and I do not mean tricks as in scamming people I mean being a good sales man. Most people do not even know how to photo graph a truck for sale. For example the two parts Patrols on ebay right now for $1500 starting price. Well the seller offered them to me before the aution for $3k! I said not interested but pictures can always convince me...both trucks now that I have seen them are not worth $1000 to me and his pics of them are bad so he will not be selling them on ebay. Just watch the auction....you can't start trucks like that at $1500. You must start them at $1 to induce and incourage competion between bidders. Pictures on ebay also make or brake a sale.

This will open the door for you to LG61's, a variety of G60's like I posted and also 1980 MQ Patrols. A MQ is more comfy interior wise. There is also tons of off the shefl stuff for them such as ARB lockers and ARB winch bars. But the 4spd diesel I have is not a big hwy cruiser. It will cruise all day at 60-65mph but not much more than that with the 4spd. A 5spd can be fitted to it though either from a Cabstar or a MK Patrol. It will be pretty hard to find a 1980 SD33 MQ in LHD that is not rusty though. If you can handle a P40 then it shouldn't be to tuff.

Any ways...I got to get back to my front end rebuild on the 67 chassis. Only so much time in a day

Drop me an email of what you want for parts. I will quote them and give you more info. I have the cylinder new, used or parts to rebuild yours.

I'd work on that bronco a bit too. That fender rust is easy to fix - cut them out some and slap on some 33's. Then use some bushwhacker type flares to cover the cuts.

78-79 Broncos are great trucks. Probably among the best Ford has ever produced.

Yeah, the 79s are nice and it runs great. It has seen some off road already and has done very well. But it sure is heavy!