The JDM vehicle market has been hot for a while, but like all good things, it seems to have become almost expected that we see a regular parade of forbidden fruit from overseas come marching through our ports. To some extent, anyone in this line of work now needs to step up their game to find more unique vehicles, or extremely well-optioned ones, to make a splash as buyers have become accustomed to seeing various vans, trucks, and kei cars come up for grabs on the regular. This 1990 Nissan Patrol GR is a refreshing change of pace, and it features a two-door, short wheelbase body with a turbodiesel engine and manual gearbox. Find ti here on eBay for $27,777 or best offer.
The Patrol has been showing up at various importers and niche dealers for years now, often in four-door form. The Patrol has been a go-to for anyone looking for a highly-capable SUV that offers an alternative to the ubiquitous Land Cruiser, and for all intents and purposes, it can keep up with that legendary nameplate when the road turns to dust. Of course, the Land Cruiser typically carries a price premium over the Patrol, but not in this case as the seller is asking strong money – and I’d wager it’s almost entirely due to the rarely-seen short wheelbase, two-door body and 6-cylinder turbodiesel, 5-speed combination.
Now, here’s the other big reason why the asking price is what it is: left-hand drive. You see, this is a rare Italian-market example that you almost never see come up for sale, and additionally, never make its way to the U.S. So, now you not only have a super clean and rare two-door JDM SUV but one that doesn’t come with the penalty of having to learn how to drive and steer from the right-hand side. The RHD steering that is found on JDM vehicles typically leads to a bit of a price reduction when it comes time to sell, as the decision to live with that setup is a personal decision. This Patrol will likely never face such a obstacle when the next owner decides to sell.
I believe this engine is known as the RD28T, which is a SOHC, turbocharged inline-six diesel, which makes just over 140 horsepower in its most powerful form. This is a very nice setup for almost anyone, whether you intend to go off-road or not. A turbodiesel that delivers enough power and torque to not feel like a dramatic reduction in performance compared to a gas engine is always going to be in demand, and combined with all of the other attributes this Patrol has, the drivetrain simply puts it over the top. If I were in the market for a JDM SUV, I’d give this one a closer look for sure.
Interesting to see one of these with LHD. The ones that showed up out west were RHD models straight out of J.A.PAN Company. Absolute bearcats to work on the fuel systems on the RHD versions because to the steering mechanism interference.
A (either Denso or Zexel) VE (Bosch License) injection pump on this one. Similar to the ones on the <'93 Dodge Cummins engines. Throttle shafts and bushings extremely susceptible to premature wear, upon which they will begin to leak diesel fuel like a seive with holes in it. I strongly advise getting the shaft/bushing updated to the REAL Bosch version, which works very well.
I don't know about the LHD models but the RHD ones had smaller driveshafts and wheel bearings then what you would usually find over here, and they needed work. And parts were very difficult to find.
Very well built otherwise…
Hey Geomechs,
I truly enjoy your writings . . . it feels like a mini-lesson in Auto Shop every time I read one.
Thank you !!!
Hi CBR. Thank you for the kind words. I was a professional mechanic for 50 years, with a little bit of truck driving and instruction time thrown in. I’ve always tried to help individuals in their journeys and therefore, I readily gave out advice and instructions to DIY people, with a little bit of caution thrown in with regards to situations that would be clearly out of their depth. I often butted heads with management because their solution was, “Just bring it in so we can fix it and charge you a bundle for it.” I might have cheated the shop and myself out of a little bit of chump change but when the road got rough, they brought it in. And, they sent their friends in. It was a win-win and I don’t regret anything other than I think I got old too soon. I’m in my 70s and still think like I should be out in the shop full time when I’m probably in the best place: giving advice and maybe sharing the odd story…
Love this, but…Is it just me, or is the speedometer stuck at 25-30km/h?
I thought that was because the car was running at the time, but the needles on the other gauges suggest that it wasn’t running, so that’s weird. Otherwise this reminds me of a Pathfinder in a purer form. I remember seeing these in Europe and the Bahamas and I wondered why vehicles like these were never offered in the USA (besides maybe being unable to meet safety and emission standards). Tidy SUV that’s only priced like it is because of its mystique to Americans
If this was originally sold in Europe, then that is the very definition of NOT being JDM.
Nice rig, gauge cluster reminds me of the pathfinder and trucks so it makes me wonder if I can get one in mph so I don’t forget how fast I’m going and get a ticket $27k I don’t know its up there in the high range.
I drove a four door version for two years while training the Bosnian Army in 1997-99. Outstanding off-road and snow vehicle in the mountains and would keep up with traffic on the highway. I even pulled out a stuck Unimog with one in Glamouch. Good Nissan vehicle.
seems like a good idea, not sure
how durable (non engine prts). Did
these guys (or isuzu) make the SD32
& SD33 (the turboed 1) for the last 2
yrs of the scoutII? I think it was a nissan~~
Nissan made the SD33/SD33T that was used in the Scout. IMO it was a sturdier engine than this one was. It was certainly heavier, and used an inline injection pump instead of the VE. Never saw many problems other than lack of power. But then, I never heard many flattering remarks regarding the power these had. Of course the only versions of this that came through our shop were direct imports with RHD, and they had lots of differences besides RHD…