Nissan Patrol Y60 (1987-97): Ruggedly Enduring

Ruggedly reliable, thoroughly over-engineered, extensively capable off-road and comfortably spacious inside, it's no wonder that the fourth generation has become an icon and remains an everyday sight in the Arabian Gulf.

A turning point for Nissan’s long-standing Patrol first introduced in 1951, the fourth generation Y60 Patrol was and remains among the world’s great off-roaders. Large and spacious, the Y60 added comfort and discrete luxury to the utilitarian and militaristic Patrol and was offered in three standard body types including five-door long wheelbase and three-door short wheelbase station wagons and pick-up version. Engine options were all super-smooth and ultra-ruggedly built in-line six-cylinder designs including 135HP and 212lb/ft 2.8-liter and 145Hp and 244lb/ft turbo-diesels, and 155HP and 182lb/ft 3-liter, 175HP and 236lb/ft 4.2-liter and 200HP and 257lb/ft 4.5-liter naturally-aspirated petrol engines.

With a boxy design, high ground clearance a relatively low mass by modern standards, and large off-road tires, the Patrol Y60 had highly capable off-road attributes. A 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox with a low-range transfer case allowed for torque reduction and the ability to drive low speed with full power, while most Y60s featured either limited-slip or locking rear differentials to ensure both rear wheels kept turning and driving despite grip loss on one side. The Y60 Patrol was a favorite of international aid agencies and for conversion as an expedition vehicle owing to its capabilities, comfort, lack of complexity and most importantly its indestructibly over-engineered ruggedness and reliability.

The Y60 was also the First Patrol with all-independent coil spring suspension, which greatly improved on-road ride and handling, and ensured long wheel travel off-road to keep the wheels in contact with the ground through, ruts, rises and ditches. Some models were also fitted with a winch, which was an essential ingredient for expedition-spec Patrols that could haul other SUVs from mud and sand if needed. With restrained weight, winch and off-road tires the Y60 Patrol is demonstrably adept at winching more modern SUVs with road-biased tires from deep, hidden viscous mud, into which their heavier weight and road-biases tires serve to dig deeper and become more mud-entrenched.

Specifications: 5-door LWB (1987-97)

  • Engine: 4.2-liter, 12-valve SOHC, in-line 6-cylinders
  • Bore x stroke (mm): 96 x 96mm
  • Compression ratio: 8.5:1
  • Gearbox: 4-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive with low gears
  • Top gear / final drive ratios: 0.69:1 / 3.9:1
  • Power, HP (kW): 175 (127) @4000rpm
  • Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 236 (320) @2000rpm
  • Top speed: 160km/h
  • Fuel capacity: 95 liters
  • Height: 1800mm
  • Width: 1930mm
  • Length: 4845mm
  • Wheelbase: 2970mm
  • Track, front / rear: 1580 / 1585mm
  • Kerb weight: 2120kg
  • Suspension: Independent, coil springs
  • Brakes, F/R: Ventilated disc / disc
Previous articleAston’s Ride of the Valkyrie
Next articleLada Revolution 3: Third Russian Revolution Launches in Paris