I bought this Patrol a few years back. I had sold my blue 64 KL60 Patrol (some of you may remember it) to a guy in San Fran, Cali...part of the deal was that I deliver the Patrol. So I hualed the 64 on out to Cali and then headed south to LA to visit my sister. I had over $5k cash in hand and was hualing a trailer so I figured what the hell why not bring home another pos Patrol. Before I went on the road trip I found a 1983 Patrol for sale in Bakersfield Cali. The owner hadn't done much to it in the 3yrs he owned the Patrol. It spent most of it's time sitting in a field. It has the factory SD33 diesel and this guy knew little to nothing about diesels. So I showed up to look at the Patrol just after dark and the owner was jumping it along with using starting fluid (not good). He said something along the lines of it has engine probs and I haven't figured it out. He was asking $2,000 so I told him with these motor probs I will give you $1,500 cash and hual it away. Done deal...the MQ Patrol was mine.

I hualed it back up here to Wyoming and over the last few years just tinkered with it a little. I figured out what some of the probs were, ie elctrical and fuel. Knowing nothing about diesel motors I didn't make much progress....plus I was lacking cash for the truck. It has sat the better part of 2 years with me only starting it once every 3-5 months.

Well in June I got sic and tired of not having a Patrol to play in so I went out and bought 2 new red top Optimas because batts were beyond dead. I then started to really trouble shoot this motor.

Prob #1: leaky fuel lines allowing air to get in the system, easy fix by tightening up the lines and bleeding system.

Prob #2: Extremly dirty fuel filter, fixed by putting in new filter and draining the tank.

Prob #3: worn out injectors which were not doing a very good job of spraying diesel. Fixed by having injectors rebuilt by Denver Diesel. I actually never ended up paying for this work since the guy who sent my injectors to Denver Diesel would never send me an invoice!

Prob #4: Electricaly farked...the orginal owner put in a bunch of 12v stuff like glow plugs and headlights. This caused the SD33 alt to get confused. 12v stuff is hot wired off the batts which confuses the internally regulated alt. What happens is the alt will over charge one battery and under charge the other. This is not entirely fixed yet as I still need to get some more 24v parts. But I have located the problem and done a few things to settle down the charging issues. So far the alt is charging fairly equal across both batts by simply unhooking some of the 12v junk.

Prob #5: Temp of the motor is all over the place. Overall it runs cool but does get hot in certain situations. I picked up a new thermostat but haven't got it in the truck yet. I suspect it is running w/o a thermostat or the one in it is farked. I will probily put in the new thermostat this weekend.

Other than this I have greased the chassis which was in dire need of some lube. I put on new tail light lenses because mine were 20+ years old and faded badly. I stripped the interior and found all rust spots. About 3 total rust spots on the entire truck. Rust was ground out and temperay repairs made. I have changed out the tranny/t-case oils which were pretty damn dirty. Front diff was also changed but it was clean. I painted up the dash because I hate the stock poo brown color. The clutch took a dump on me shortly after I got the truck, turns out the spring was missing inside the slave cylinder. I fitted a new slave from a 1980's 280z which bolts right up. Clutch is good to go now. I picked up some 16x8" black steel spokers and fitted some 33" mud tires, old tires from my Pinz. Had a bit of rubbing on the bolt up junk in fenders, ie mud flaps. Removed the junk and no more rubbing. To my satisfaction I can run 33" tires with no rub on stock 20+ year old suspension! I changed out the engine oil which was pretty filty and put in a new filter. She has one oil leak on the motor at the back of the oil pan. It appears a few of the pan bolts are stripped out so this is going to take some work to fix, tap & die. For now it is the only leak on the entire truck and I can deal with it.

This Patrol is a factory SD33 diesel which is a NA motor. The truck has C200 diffs front and rear, the rear is a factory LSD. I am pretty happy with the rear C200 right now. The LSD works great and the diff is tight. Amazing how good traction is with only an LSD in the rear. The stock tranny is a factory 4spd, it is ok but not so great for top end speed, top ratio being 1:1. I picked up a Nissan MQ 5spd out of New Zealand which is complete from bell housing to e-brake assembly and looks to be in top condition. The gear box also has a factory PTO bolted to the side. Benifit of fitting the 5spd will be a lower 1st gear and a higher top end gear. PTO box is a bonus! Tranny bolts in but requires some custom work to fit such as cutting tranny mounts and moving back, same for #2 cross member. Tranny is not in the truck yet but will be going in this Patrol.

So for $1500 and some tinkering I have a pretty solid Patrol which is running fairly well. Currently I am using it on weekends to go out and hit some trails. Each time out I get more comfortable with this truck and each time out I am amazed at how well it does off road in nearly stock form. Front leafs are sagged but the truck flexes really well for being stock. Traction is excellent with no lockers and the diesel has all the grunt I can ask for right now.

This Patrol was cheap, is fun to drive and work on and teaches me a lot about a diesel truck. This 83 MQ Patrol is going to be my daily driver plus my main weapon off-road. I am going to be throwing a lot of money at this truck starting with the motor. I picked up a factory turbo for the SD33 out of New Zealand. I recently found a Nissan Forklift shop in Denver that has been in business for over 30yrs. They can handle all the work I want done ot this motor including turbo fitment, headers, injection pump tuning, ect. Best of all they are trained in Nissan diesel engines and can get all the factory parts for the work. I plan to have the motor torn down (hopefully by years end) fit the turbo, replace or tune injection pump for high altitude plus more power, fit EGT and boost gauges, headers fitted, 2.5-3" exaust likely with no muffler and a Safari or custom stainless snorkel fitted. Only other mod really planned for the engine is to replace the oil filter housing with one that accepts spin on filters instead of cartrige type. Easy to do by using a later model MQ Patrol filter housing. I have some used parts on the way from Aus currently including some Aussie mirrors and "oh sh*t" handles so she should be looking better soon. I plan to have the 5spd fitted by Mnt. Logan Off-Road in Utah. They will also likely do the SoA on this truck along with bar work and other things. They are interested in my truck and I am confident they can handle the work to my standards. Eventually I plan to run hydraulic whinches which will be powered by the PTO. The PTO shall run a small hydraulic pump which will in turn power the winch. This also gives me the option to run tools and even a rear winch off the PTO powered pump. Should be sweet as when done...

So without further blah'ing here is some recent pictures of the MQ out on the trail where it belongs!

If you would like to see/read more about this oh so rare MQ Patrol you can hit my forum and follow my write up. I call this a rare Patrol because I estimate there to be no more than 12 of these MQ Patrols in the USA and most of those being LWB's. I think it is a pretty good score for $1500!

83 MQ Patrol

Ian, glad to see you back around!

I swear, every one of these things I've ever seen has been green!

So where did this one come from? They weren't imported here.

(jealous, BTW - especially when you turbo that thing)

super sweet patrol!!! ... wanna trade for a Titan?!?

This Patrol hails from Germany. It was imported by the original owner in 1988 when he moved to the states. This must have been before the tougher regs on importing we have these days. The guy is a supposed Benz diesel mechanic and did all the work on the truck himself. I have reciepts for over $3k for a full motor rebuild. But it seems something went wrong in the rebuild, not sure what. Maybe cheap parts, wrong parts or just poor tuning/care after the rebuild. I tested compression once but did it wrong and the readings were low. The SD33 runs tight once warm, no knocks pings or other bad signs. The motor is clean as can be and the head looks new. Seems solid but to fit the turbo I need to get inside this motor so rebuild or not it is getting torn down.

Green seems to have been a common color on MQ's. Seens lot's of Aussie ones though that are not green. I love the color so am just fine with it. I used to think MQ's were hella ugly but they have grown on me and I like it's style a lot now.

I would trade for the Titan, make some good $$ selling the Titan! But the Patrol being a 1983 is basically unobtainium. Can't import a 83 till 2008, this one is LHD and a SWB. All that makes it hella hard to come by...

I might be talking to myself here but oh well...

What I really like about the MQ is that I can still get 95% of all parts new from Nissan. Granted Nissan dealers can't help me but I can still get Nissan parts via Aus, ebay or other means. I am also working on a contact at Nissan America to try and get parts direct from Nissan USA. SD33 engine parts are no probs in the states because that motor was sold here both in Scouts and in Nissan forklifts. But try getting some 24v electric parts or rubber parts and you hit a dead end at Nissan USA. Unlike the old Patrols though I can still get Nissan parts because Nissan still makes them! And when it comes to aftermarket parts, well a lot is still made. ARB air lockers for example and lot's of other things like lift kits/suspension parts, body and interior trim, ect ect ect. There was many more 160 (MQ/MK) Patrols made then the old 1960-1970's Patrols so many still on the road worldwide. That means parts.

The next thing I like about these 1980's Patrols is that the trucks are 80's retro not 60's classics. This means to me it isn't that old valueable stuff from the 60's. It is the disposable stuff from the 80's. So I can bash the truck off-road and not feel bad about it. Heck body parts are not very hard to come by with connections in Aus. It isn't like I am trashing some Patrol that is only 1 out of 2616 sold in the USA 40+ years ago. This is just one of many thousands of 160's made, it just happens to be a rare import. I don't trash my trucks so to speak but I like to be able to push it off-road and not worry about 40yr old classic steel.

The next thing that makes these great is Nissan made more than one set of diffs, engine, tranny & t-case for these over the years. Unlike the classic Patrol which is the same power/drive train for 20 years. This means things like gear choices and trannies are available. In fact the L28 Patrols have the same divorced transfer case that the 720 pickups have. It might even be possible to do a duel transfer case in a LWB MQ Patrol using the divorced box along with the standard t-case. I say LWB because I don't think it would fit in a SWB. Any ways, this gives a lot more choices for the trucks, ie P40 or L28 or the SD33 diesel. 3.9, 4.11, 4.3, 4.6 & 4.8 gears all available in C200, H233 & H260 diffs. There even was a full floating H233 made for the MQ/MK Patrols. A variety of gearing in trannies from both 4spd and 5spd. Finer splines on axles and so forth which means stronger gear in the truck.

And then we have the fact that the truck is just more comfortable all around than the old Patrols. Good stock heaters, intermittent wipers, modern gauges, better weather stripping all around, fully synchro'ed trannies, ect ect ect.

It may not be as cool as the old classic Patrols but when it comes down to it the MQ/MK's are a better truck. I can't get my hands on a legal GQ Patrol until at least 2013 so till then I am just going to have to enjoy the retro 1980's Patrols!

That has always been my favorite patrol. Would be neat to upgrade to a set of H233B's underneath for sure, but the C200s should hold up fine to 33's.

So did Nissan make an H233 SFA? I think they did in GQ's but am unsure if they did in MQ's. Maybe in the end of the series, ie 1986/1987.

For now the C200's will do. Like I say the diffs under my truck are tight. But I am going to SoA this truck and when that is done I am not putting the effort into a C200 rear. Plus I think the 4.11's I have are a bit off and I will be better with 4.3's or 4.6's. I am looking for a full floating H233 from a Patrol to put under this truck. But I think they are pretty hard to find only being sold in a few models of late production MQ/MK's.

The C200 in front I think is pretty strong, CV's being the weak point. But CV's can be strengthened. Anyways, do you think it would be worthwhile to find a H233 front if going through the trouble/expense of a SOA? The rear will definately be upgraded before SoA but the front I am undecided on. Eventually I will run 35-36" tires after the SoA. SD33 turbo'ed can put out lot's of power/torque but not in the realm of a big block v8 so I may be ok with a C200 front??

Oh ya...kind of related to the diff questions...

You can see I have factory auto locking hubs. I want to do away with these. But I have heard of numerous people breaking the AVM free wheeling hubs which in my opion AVM makes a damn fine hub. People say the stock Nissan free wheeling hubs are the strongest you can get. I never heard of anyone breaking the factory free wheeling hubs.

Do you think this is true, are Nissan hubs the strongest you can get?

Those hubs look like the same ones used on IFS rigs...not sure how to confirm. They are pretty strong and reliable, however, any hub can be broken, and I've seen 1 or 2 of the autos go.

On the C200 front strength...I can only speak for the diff and shafts - the diff is close to D44 sized, and if the shafts are similar to a C200 rear, then you're probably between a D30 and a D44 strenghtwise there. I've never seen a C200 solid front up close - does it use Birfields? What upgrades are available? I would think the Bifs would be the weak link.

233's were on GQ's as you state....they're all around a beefier axle. If you go through the trouble of sourcing a 233 rear, why not try to find a pair?

It's only money, right?

Well the thing is the Aussies say the factory manual free wheeling hubs are the strongest, in fact they say the stock FW hubs are unbreakable. Everyone dislikes the auto hubs including myself partly due to them being weaker. I have read of numerous people breaking the AVM hubs.

Yes the front C200 uses Cvs/birfields. This is indeed the weak link but I have read you can weld a ring on the CV and it becomes very strong. Not sure what it is all about but I did read alot on this. Not much if any upgrades available if you are talking stronger axles/cvs/ect for the C200 diff. My parts books is a 1986, January edition. It only shows a C200 for the front diff. But I am pretty sure there was a H233 front put in MQ/MK's in 1987 and or start of 1988 when the MQ/MK was phased out. I suppose a H233 from a GQ would work if it is a leaf sprung GQ such as an early Ute. Plus the MQ/MK was made much longer in Europe by the Spain plant so maybe Europe would be the source for a H233 leaf sprung front. I dunno...just trying to decide if my C200 front is worth keeping and doing a SoA on or if I should upgrade it.

My diffs are fine for now but like I say if going through the trouble of a SoA conversion there is no point wasting the time & $$ on light duty diffs. I would much rather upgrade the diffs and then SoA my truck. In the long run it would be worth the effort to source the right diffs before suspension mods.

Yea...it all just takes money. If I only had millions laying around we could all drive Patrols!

Wow ! This one looks exactly like my old K160 with the L28 gasser. I see Silverstones on that one, good choice !!
As for the SD33 being turbo'd, make sure to fit an oil cooler. The SD33T with the factory turbo is NOT exactly the same engine. It features oil cooled (from below) pistons and stronger bering retainers etc..
The only front axle avail. for any leaf sprung Patrol was the C200, also the spanish ones built until 2002 had the C200 front and H233/H260 rear combination. The H233 front came with the GQ's. I ran the C200 front AND rear with 35's without probs. If you change the rear, make sure to get one out of the MQ with offset diff. Spanish ones have a center diff ! And yes, the stock Aisin manual hubs are the strongest ones to get. All MK/MQ hubs are interchangeable, GQ hubs won't fit.

Hey Bart....nice to see you again.

There is a leaf sprung front H233. It is from the GQ Utes though and a fair share wider than MQ/MK diffs. One reason I was thinking there may have been a H233 front in late model MK's is because of this truck,



MK Patrol

The truck is in Europe and he has Volovo portal axles under it now. But if you look at the other pictures in the album you can see he is not running a C200 front. Looks like a H233 to me....? It would be possible to run a GQ leaf sprung H233 in the front but I think you would need to use wheel spacers in the rear due to the width difference.

I know the C200 front is strong and I hear you can buff them up using some GQ parts, ect. But if going through the trouble to SoA the truck I want to make sure I have the best diffs first. If I have no choices than that is it keep the C200. I am definately upgrading the rear to a H233 and also uping the ratio to 4.3's or 4.6's. I been trying to find a H233 full floating rear but all I get is "they don't exist". While my 86 parts book shows them as being in Utes and Vans. All the parts I am chasing are coming from Aus, NZ and Japan. No Spanish Patrols there so no worries about that.

So it's true I need factory free wheeling hubs!

Ya I am kind of familar with the differences from SD33 to SD33T. Which is why I am looking at importing a SD33T from NZ. My NA can be turbo'ed but cost could be more than it's worth. The SD33T I am looking at now was running strong before the truck was totaled. Cost $500 complete with a factory rear tire carrier tossed in.

Judging by the pics it really looks like a wide track 233 in the front which could be out of a leaf sprung GQ Ute.
Normally you won't break an axle or diff in the C200 front if you're not locked and gas it while the wheels are fully turned. If you consider jumping the truck you might brace the housing a bit, though.
Complete C200 fronts with stock manual hubs are often on ebay over here and go normally under 100$ because no one really needs spares.