Specs, fluids & service · 1980–1989
Nissan Patrol 160 / MQ specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| CHASSIS | 160 (1980–83) · 161 (1983-on) |
|---|---|
| MARKET NAMES | MQ / MK (Australia) · Safari (Japan) · Datsun Patrol to 1984 |
| PRODUCTION | 1980–1989 (Wikipedia); Japan to 1987 |
| ENGINES | SD33 · SD33T · L28 · P40 (Australia) |
| OUTPUT | SD33 70 kW · SD33T 81 kW · L28 88 kW · P40 90 kW |
| TRANSMISSION | 4-spd manual (MQ) · 5-spd (most MK) · 3-spd auto (LWB L28) |
| TRANSFER CASE | Two-speed, offset |
| WHEELBASE | 2,350 mm SWB · 2,970 mm LWB |
| LENGTH | 4,105 mm SWB · 4,690 mm LWB |
| WIDTH | 1,690 mm |
| AXLES | C200 front · H233 rear (H260 utes) |
| WEIGHT | 1,880 kg (1985 Safari hardtop, KR161) |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1983 | MQ (160) diesel | SD33 3.2 L OHV I6 diesel | 70 kW / 215 Nm | Launch engine in Australia; 24-volt electrics with twin batteries; four-speed manual. |
| 1981–1983 | MQ (160) petrol | L28 2.8 L SOHC I6 | 88 kW / 201 Nm | From April 1981; three-speed auto optional on the LWB Deluxe from late 1981. |
| 1980s | MQ / MK P40 | P40 4.0 L OHV I6 | 90 kW / 280 Nm | GoAuto calls the first version short-lived; an updated 84 kW / 270 Nm P40 was listed by 1985. |
| 1983–1987 | MK (161) turbo-diesel | SD33T 3.2 L turbo-diesel I6 | 81 kW / 255 Nm | 12-volt, larger clutch and oil cooler; five-speed manual on most models. |
| 1980–1987 | Safari (Japan) | SD33 / SD33T; PF40 in fire trucks | 95 PS / 120 PS (Japanese ratings) | Hardtop, high-roof hardtop, Extra Van and fire-truck chassis. High-roof van and SD33T from 1983. |
| 1983–1988 | Spanish-built (Nissan Motor Ibérica) | Perkins MD27, then A428 / A428T 2.8 L I4 diesel | — | Local-content engines. The facelifted Spanish truck became the 260. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Every 160 is at least 37 years old and most have worked hard, so assume every oil is old and every grease point is dry. We couldn't find factory capacities published for the 160 online. Treat the specs below as types, and check quantities in the Nissan 160/61-series workshop manual.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | Diesel-rated oil confirm grade & capacity in manual · SD33 changed from a paper cartridge to a spin-on filter at the 1983 update (Wikipedia) | Baseline now | Check which filter your engine takes before you go shopping. Turbo SD33Ts have piston oil squirters and a bigger oil cooler, which makes clean oil even more important.Nissan Patrol MQ oil filters (search) · Supercheap Auto ↗ |
| Fuel filter & water trap (diesel) | Engine-bay fuel filter confirm part by engine | Replace now | Old diesel and water kill injection pumps. Drain the trap and replace the element before chasing poor running.Nissan Patrol MQ fuel filters (search) · Supercheap Auto ↗ |
| Air filter | Engine-specific element | Replace now | Check the airbox seals and the intake hose for splits, especially on turbo engines.Nissan Patrol MQ air filters (search) · Supercheap Auto ↗ |
| Coolant, thermostat, hoses & cap | Anti-corrosion coolant, never plain water · correct thermostat fitted | Flush now | Owners trace SD33 overheating to blocked radiators and missing thermostats, and water-pump wear to plain water.Nissan Patrol MQ cooling parts (search) · Supercheap Auto ↗ |
| Glow plugs & batteries (diesel) | 24-volt system on MQ SD33s, 12-volt on MKs | Test now | Test each glow plug and both batteries under load. A weak battery on a 24-volt pair drags the other down.Battery terminals and cables (search) · Supercheap Auto ↗ |
| Manual gearbox & transfer case | Gear oil confirm grade & capacity in manual | Baseline now | Crack the fill plug before the drain plug. Members warn seized plugs are common. The gearbox and transfer case breathers are linked by a tube on some MQs.ARB differential breather kit, 2-point · Patrolapart ↗ |
| Front differential (C200) & rear (H233 / H260) | Hypoid gear oil; LSD-rated oil if the rear has a limited-slip diff confirm in manual | Baseline now | LSD was standard in Australia by 1985. Note the ratio plate on the driver's-side inner guard while you're there.Diff breathers kit, 4-point · Patrolapart ↗ |
| Swivel hubs & front wheel bearings | Kingpin swivels with wiper seals; repack wheel bearings | Inspect now; rebuild if weeping or loose | Full rebuild kits for the MQ 160 include kingpin bearings, needle rollers and swivel seals.Front wheel bearing kit, Patrol MK & MQ · Patrolapart ↗ |
| Chassis grease: shackles, spring pins, driveshafts | Grease every nipple | Grease now and at every oil change | A leaf-sprung Patrol has many more grease nipples than a GQ, including greasable shackles.Front Roadsafe leaf springs & shackles, MQ 160 · SuperSpares ↗ |
| Brake fluid & hydraulics | Fluid per the master-cylinder cap confirm in manual | Flush now | Front ventilated discs and rear drums. Check the flexible hoses and rear wheel cylinders on a truck that has sat.Nissan Patrol MQ brake parts (search) · Supercheap Auto ↗ |
| Steering joints & drag link | Check for play | Inspect now | Tired MQs usually need several joints at once.Leaf-sprung short drag link, Patrol MQ · Patrolapart ↗ |
Capability
| Curb weight | 1,880 kg (4,145 lb) 1985 Safari hardtop AD (KR161), Nissan |
|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 2,350 mm SWB · 2,970 mm LWB |
| Length | 4,105 mm SWB · 4,690 mm LWB Wikipedia; the 1985 Safari hardtop is 4,230 mm (Nissan) |
| Track (front / rear) | 1,415 / 1,405 mm 1985 Safari hardtop, Nissan |
| Engine output | SD33 70 kW / 215 Nm · SD33T 81 kW / 255 Nm · L28 88 kW / 201 Nm · P40 90 kW / 280 Nm Australian ratings (GoAuto, 4X4 Australia) |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | 205/80R16 (1985 Safari hardtop, Nissan heritage data) · 16-in steel wheels |
|---|---|
| Biggest tire · Stock | 31x10.50 |
| Biggest tire · 2 in | 33 in |
| Biggest tire · 2 in + 2 in body lift | 35 in |
Common Patrol 160 / MQ repairs
- Swivel hub (kingpin) and front wheel bearing rebuildDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Leaf springs, shackles and bushesDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- SD33/SD33T overheating: cooling system before the headDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Extend the axle, gearbox and transfer breathersDIFFICULTY 1 / 5
- Steering: drag link and jointsDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- SD33 slow cranking or no-startDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Fit a rear lockerDIFFICULTY 4 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.