Fisherman's Friend
Nissan Patrol and Chieftain Canopy Team Up in a GU tourer that likes to be beside the seaside.
Words by Glenn Wright
Photography by Robb Cox
A good tradesman never blames his tools, and 4WDs are tools that allow us to get to where we want to go and often that little bit further. When retired service-station proprietor Wayne Dunn swapped his Sidchromes fro this GU Patrol Ute, he wanted a tool to get him away from civilisation and closer to where the barra bite.
Boat ramps attract 4WDs in hordes, as fishing and 4WDs go together like horses and carriages. Being a seasoned fisho, Wayne’s tackle boxes and waders have graced the cabins of many 4WDs, beginning with V8-powered 60 Series ‘Cruisers.
Wayne admits he’s no spring chicken, and while those rambling V8 Land Cruisers complete with leaf spring served their purpose in the past, he now prefers cruising in comfort. This prompted the purchase of a ML270 and then an X5 BMW TD, which he fondly remembers yet sold recently because it couldn’t tow his 3t Cruise Craft legally.
Wayne killed two birds with one stone by purchasing this new 4.2 turbo-diesel GU Coil Cab. He can now tow his fishing boat and enjoy the comfort the coil-spring ride offers.
The beauty of buying a brand-new truck is that any scratch or dent tells a tale that belongs to you and not the previous owner(s). You should also expect several years of trouble-free motoring.
Because the Patrol is a competent performer straight out of the bow, Wayne has not seen the need top reinvent the wheel, choosing only to modify selected parts of the suspension and engine, while adding a host of creature comforts above the chassis.
After two years and over 40,000km of trouble-free touring, Wayne has developed a healthy respect for this tidy GU. It does everything asked of it, so the old adage ‘if it aint broke, don’t fix it’ applies.
He also owns a V8 auto 100 Series LandCruiser, so which truck does he choose to drive around the town every morning? Lets just say the ‘Cruiser hasn’t been started in a while.
Suspension
In addition to their strong driveline, Patrol Coil Cab Utes have been commended for their ample articulation and supple ride. Both these features are due to the coil-spring suspension on all four corners, which prompted Wayne, a long-time Toyota man, to choose the patrol. Because of this good platform, no major redesign of the suspension was needed. Prior to the truck’s maiden voyage to the Kimberley, Wayne lifted the ride height by 2in all round using aftermarket springs and mated them with koni shock absorbers. Wayne fitted the suspension himself, and as the life was relatively minor, the Panhard rods and propshafts didn’t receive any attention, saving previous fishing time.
Engine and driveline
Wayne purchased the GU with the optional Nissan Snorkel fitted because this obsession wit fishing keeps the 4WD near, and often in, the water. From the factory, the 4.2 intercooled turbo-diesel Patrol engine is good for 360Nm@2000rpm and 114kW@3600rpm. In order to make towing that much easier, especially when tackling hills, Wayne had the turbo internals modified and a 3in mandrel-bent exhaust system complete with turbo muffler fitted, which he claims boosted these numbers to 140Nm@2500 and 125W@3800rpm respectively.
Wayne reckons the only downside to this mod is that, although top-end horsepower is improved, low-down torque suffers. This is a direct result of the larger turbo internals taking longer to spool up and come on boost. Much of the GQ and GU Patrol’s appeal has been attributed to its strong, reliable driveline, which some regard as the best in the business. As a result, Wayne saw no need to tamper with what was already a good thing and left the diffs and transmission off his ‘to do’ list. The front diff remains open, while the rear retains its factory LSD.
Inside and Out
Wayne opted for a Ute this time around because his previous assortment of short- and long-wheelbase 4WDs have suffered ‘unavoidable’ damage to the rear trim as a result of the recovery gear and bulky items they were asked to carry.
Having bought cab chassis, first on the ‘to do’ list was the fitment of the largest Tip Top aluminium tray available. This led to the only real headache in the whole transformation process. Because the tray was on the large side, there were no fibreglass canopies around to suit.
Wayne wanted a fibreglass canopy for weight, cost and security reasons. So, after much searching on Wayne’s part, Chieftain Canopies agreed to cut and widen the canopy to suit, solving the problem. With wide tray and canopy fitted, the next job was to fill it up with gear.
Inside the canopy, Wayne fitted a homemade winch and gantry to save his back the effort when lifting the outboard motor in and out. The well-organised cargo area also contains recovery gear and fishing equipment. No serious fishing expedition would be complete without a boat. So Wayne added a set of Roof Rack City roof-racks and Rhino Boat Loader to the GU to support his 3.7m tinnie or inflatable Zodiac and help him lower them into the drink.
When you spend 6-8 weeks away at a time, you need a lot of equipment to keep yourself amused, especially when your reason for the trip is to hook one that got away last outing. Wayne’s favourite haunts are the Victorian High Country, the Kimberly and 1770, near Bundaberg. No touring rig would be complete without a 40L Engel fridge and recovery gear, all of which sits nicely inside the canopy. A twine shower is fitted under the bonnet, which is perfect for washing away the grime and cooling down after a hard days fishing in the tropics.
Wayne fitted a Piranha dual-battery system, incorporating two N70 Exide batteries. These are called on to fire up a host of electricity gadgetry. This includes a GME TX 3400 radio and Telstra satphone, both of which are vital in relaying fishing stories back to your mates at home, because it never happened ‘til you tell your mates.
The Navman ICN 635 GPS unit tells Wayne where to go and helps mark those fishing hotspots for ‘ron. A pair of KC spotlights sits on the steel bulbar, which includes a Premier low-mount winch.
Touch wood, in the last 40000km Wayne has never had reason to haul his Patrol out of trouble. Being a Good Samaritan, he claims the only people who have benefited from the use of his recovery gear are people he has stopped to help on his travels.
It’s no secret that most fish live in the sea. In order to get access to our finned friends, Wayne does a lot of sand driving, which means the BFG All Terrains need reinflating with the Big Red air compressor that is hard-wired under the tray just behind the Nissans factory fitted 175L fuel tanks.
The towbar rarely gets a rest towing a 685 Cruise Craft fishing boat when its not pulling the ultimate Off-Road camper trailer.
Interior comfort is improved with a pair of sheepskin seat covers and a centre roof console by Dept. of the interior.
Breifly
| Vehicle: |
2003 Nissan Patrol GU Coil Cab |
| Engine: |
TD42T in-line 6-cylinder intercooled turbo-diesel |
| Gearbox: |
5-speed manual |
| 4WD Activation: |
part time with manual hubs |
| Suspension: |
front – solid-axel 3- link with coil springs and 2in lift, koni dampers with Panhard rod |
| |
Rear – solid-axel 5-link with coil springs and 2in lift Koni dampers with panhard rod |
| Brakes: |
standard Nissan disk/callipers front and rear |
| Wheels: |
16 x 7in Globe alloys |
| Tyres: |
265/75 R16 BF Goodrich A/T |
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