Nissan Patrol GQ (Y60) years to avoid, and the best years to buy
Every Nissan Patrol Y60 (GQ) model year: which ones owners and specialists recommend, which have documented problems, which carry recalls, and what they sell for now.
No particular year. Guides and owners choose a GQ by engine, not by build date. 4X4 Australia says the TD42 was the outback tourers' favourite for its simplicity and 'legendary reliability', and NissanPatrol.com.au members say TD42s fetch a premium over the TB42 petrol and the smaller engines. Wikipedia notes that the RD28T and TB42 suffer head-gasket trouble when driven hard, and Perth dealer Westside Auto calls the RD28T underpowered for towing. Some owners prefer a pre-August-1993 'Silvertop' TD42, because Wikipedia says the lightened engine is weaker, but others say the black-tops are still very strong. Buy the best-kept TD42 manual you can find.
Nissan Patrol GQ (Y60) year by year
| YEAR | VERDICT | WHAT CHANGED |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | — | Y60 launches in Japan as the Safari (October/November). It's the first Patrol on coil springs: three-link live front axle, five-link rear on wagons. TD42 diesel and TB42 petrol 4.2 L sixes |
| 1988 | — | Australian (GQ) launch. Spanish production begins in Barcelona for Europe, where it's sold as the Patrol GR. Ford sells a rebadged version in Australia as the Maverick until 1994. Four-speed automatic added |
| 1991 | — | Japan gets the 7-seat Safari and the TB42E. Wikipedia's Patrol article says the turbo TD42T replaced the TD42 in Japan this year (its engine article says 1993). In Australia the rear lamps move into the bumper to meet ADRs, but not on European trucks |
| 1992 | — | Australian GQ Series 2: fuel injection for the TB42, oil cooler and EGR for the RD28T (in markets that had it), bigger brakes and wheels, standard limited-slip diff and auto-free-wheeling hubs, side-intrusion bars |
| 1993 | — | From August, the TD42 is lightened to save fuel and rev higher; Wikipedia says this weakened it. Early engines have a silver rocker cover and later ones a black one (Wikipedia's engine article dates the colour change to around 1995). Owners disagree on whether the difference matters in a stock truck |
| 1994 | — | Minor facelift with a new grille. Coil-sprung rear axle becomes an option on the utility, which previously had leaf springs |
| 1995 | — | 4X4 Australia dates the 2.8 L RD28T's Australian arrival to 1995 (CarsGuide says 1992); Wikipedia lists the RX grade from 1994–95. In Japan, Autech launches the Safari Adieu, a high-roof hearse conversion |
| 1996–1997 | — | Europe gets the LW, a lightweight-body version built for off-road championships. Wagons give way to the Y61 from late 1997; Australian UY60 cab-chassis sales run to 1999 |
“Sweet spot” means owners and specialists recommend those years; “Beware” means documented problems; “Recall” means check the recall was done rather than walk away.
What a Nissan Patrol GQ (Y60) costs (October 2026)
Every US Y60 is a 25-year gray import, and prices are still far below an 80 Series Land Cruiser's. Clean, unmodified diesel wagons with paperwork bring the most, and so do well-built modified trucks.
| Project / needs work | $5k–9k |
|---|---|
| Driver | $12k–20k |
| Excellent / well modified | $21k–31k (modified builds to about $42k) |
Based on 17 Y60 Bring a Trailer sales from May 2022 to October 2026. Prices ran from a $5,000 1988 Safari Granroad turbo-diesel to a $41,500 modified 1993 TD42 turbo wagon. A 1996 Patrol GR SLX turbo-diesel sold for $23,000, and swap trucks (a Barra six and a 6.0 L V8) went for $21k–22k. Fire-truck Safaris sell for $8.5k–26.5k.
Best years are buyer consensus from owners, specialists and forums, not spec sheets. See all Nissan Patrol years to avoid across every generation.