I’ve had the opportunity to get some exposure to the latest craze involving importing ex-municipal Japanese trucks thanks to the founder of Paladin Trucks in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The proprietor explained how many Japanese-market 4x4s live fairly low-impact lives and often are taxed past the point of reasonable use, so they end up being exported to countries hungry for Japanese reliability and impressive off-road prowess. This Nissan Safari fire truck is yet another example of a barely-used 4×4 with heavy-duty equipment and only 3,000 original miles. Find it here on eBay with a day left on the listing and a Buy-It-Now of $22,900.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Matt Williams for this find, which follows on the heels of the Toyota HiAce fire apparatus we featured last week. Similarly, this Nissan Safari features a 4WD drivetrain paired to a manual transmission, but unlike the HiAce, it retains the full assortment of fire-fighting equipment that had been removed from the Toyota. Of course, I don’t think it makes much sense to keep it attached here, either, unless you truly aspire to enter it into parades and entertain children with the sirens. With the full-size cab and four real doors, a pickup bed that’d accept a camper attachment seems way more appealing.
The interior appears as-new, and with such low mileage, you’re effectively getting a brand new Nissan Safari – but the seller is also looking for new-car money. I’m not 100% positive, but I believe this is a fourth-generation Safari model which made some improvements to the chassis to provide greater occupant comfort with the transition to a coil-sprung suspension. The Safari, also known as the Patrol in other markets, is one of those legendary 4x4s famous for durability and go-anywhere traction and is still found in mountainous regions, desert environments and other extreme climate zones where ruggedness is a must-have and not just a fashion accessory.
Again, experts please correct me if I’m wrong, but the gasoline inline-six motors in the Safari lineup were generally in the range of 4.2L and from the “TB” engine family. While providing decent performance, headgasket failure was not uncommon on some models (ironically, this is what befell my wife’s Nissan Frontier a few years back) but with an odometer recording barely past break-in mileage, I suspect this one hasn’t failed yet. If this Safari found its way to your garage, would you keep the firefighting equipment or build a custom bed?
I full well know I’m old school,but foreign municipal trucks are collectable? What next,Roman Chariots? On second thought maybe another fire truck around here would be a good thing. About 15,000 acres of grassland lost to wildfire in the last three days. No lives lost and only minimal property damage. Spring time in Kansas.
WTF are you going to do with that thing except fight fires?
I agree that the fire apparatus adds zero value, but I don’t think it detracts from the value, either. I’d rip it off and sell it, if only for scrap value, then fit the chassis with an Aussie-style aluminum tray.
Cool unit if you have a use for it as is. I’d be awfully leery of using for some other purpose, there’s bound to parts incompatibility issues between Japan and US sold models.
Would drive it as is to work everyday.
Seems like with a little modification and repurposing, this could be a great field service truck. Mobile welding rig in back, use the tank for water in a steam/pressure washer setup for cleaning.
Painted up in Cat yellow and I think it would have real world use and value anywhere.
If I had the disposable funds ? I’d buy out and donate to my local volunteer department.
We’ve had a few imports of ex-Japan fire trucks in NZ (there’s a little Suzuki Kei-class machine in the small town I live in that’s owned by an enthusiast and used daily), and prices are nowhere near what the seller’s asking.
What do you guys stateside think of what the seller’s asking for this particular example? I’m just curious to see the differences in the two markets.
Kinda like the heaviest duty Tuk-tuk ever.
A few weeks ago I thought a Pinto wagon would be cool to tailgate with. Boy, was I wrong!
They must have small fires in Japan, our California wildfire would eat this alive
I doubt that it has a water tank in it.You could only pump
from a water source.I also doubt that it would match US hydrant/-
fire department outlets.
I’ve seen some of these that could have the firefighting
equipment removed,& still have a cool JDM pickup.
Jeff, you in/around Blue Ridge? I ask due to your HiAce purchase, this right up, your apparent familiarity of the area.
If so, reach out!!! You can get my info internally. If not, respond.