Looking at an '82 MQ

Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Location: Newcastle, NSW

Hey folks,

I'm looking for a cheap 4wd replacement for my poor rolled Rocky, and looked at a MQ today. The blurb goes like this:

Nissan Patrol MQ 1982 Short wheelbase white 2.8L petrol, 4 speed
manual, 12 months rego, just serviced, extractors, long range tank,
$3600

I liked the look of it a lot. That's the L28 engine it seems, which despite having 306000k's on it (head replaced 4 years ago) started on the first turn, ran really smoothly and didn't blow any smoke. A fair bit of work has been done to it, new bearings in the front wheels, new rotors, etc. Had a small amount of rust on the front grill and the rear fold down tray, the plastic handle on the rear window was broken (still worked fine though) and part of the rubber seal on the rear window was torn.

It also has 31" ATs, with a fair amount of tread. Underneath looked quite clean, everything well greased (it was serviced recently it seems).

I'm hoping to give the guy another ring tonight with further expression of interest and perhaps some talk of cash. Would dearly appreciate some advice from you Nissan folk beforehand, if possible. I noticed there wasn't a lot of mention of the MQ's in the first few Nissan pages here. That mean anything?

Cheers,
Heath

Joined: 01 Nov 2002 Location: Sydney. NSW Australia

if you get it lemme know, ive got a L28 engine here complete with 7000kms since full rebuild Twisted Evil

(plus the rest of the car for spares Wink

Cheers

RYan

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

They are a good car, just older thats why more go for GQs. Also GQ has Coils which makes life a little cheaper to lift and easier.

Joined: 23 Oct 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia

They are a pretty good truck, the L28 a near bullet proof motor (full throttle for a minute or more at a time wont kill them Twisted Evil

) but under powered for anything much larger than standard tyres and the 4 speed wont die easily.

Any other questions I will try to help answer Very Happy

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Lost in Melbourne.

MKPatrolGuy wrote:

Any other questions I will try to help answer Very Happy

Does the 400 Chev run yet?
and does it look like this?

Joined: 23 Oct 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia

Yep she runs, just a bit loud still, i fitted the old clutch master cylinder but it ain't working so it is coming back off and a new one is going on

Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Location: Newcastle, NSW

Thanks for the info folks, keep it coming!

I didn't go around tonight to see it (owner couldn't make it) so I'll go see him tomorrow arvo. Still, I'm pretty keen on the idea. The body shape is similar to the Rocky, which I like - SWB, 2 rows of seats, rear ones fold forward to gives masses of space under the canopy. Canopy very removable too (just doesn't have a sun roof like the Rocky Cool

).

The motor sounded very smooth to my inexperienced ears, but if I was going to replace it, it might be something bigger than another L28! I'll let you know though Ryan Wink

I was actually looking at some info on a V8 conversion - but that is some time away at this point, and I'm not sure I'd trust the 4spd to it. I like that full throttle claim, MKPatrolGuy, but I don't plan on trying it out! It sounded angry enough at a few thou.

The body at the rear was actually cut away a little to expose the chassis bolts, in preparation of a lift. The owner claimed it was fairly straight forward on the MQ. But, I'm not sure I could afford the bigger tyres it would allow, especially if the L28 would struggle to push them!

I'd probably put rock sliders or side sills on pretty quickly. Obviously I'll ask for advice if and when that situation arose, but I don't imagine it would be too difficult?

Any suggestions on nasties to look for when I go for a test drive tomorrow?

Joined: 26 Jun 2003

I'll give the MQ's my seal of approval!

Rust in the spots you said and the handle on the canopy ane pretty much std. issues over time...

Body lifts are pretty much dead easy, and parts are not only readily avaliable but very cheap. What I would look at is that steering is pretty much tight, but apart from that if you can get over the harsh ride there is a rig in the making.

Shannon

I have heard of stories up in QLD where a guy replaced the 2.8 with some twin tturbo skyline thing... can not be confirmed but... anyway all the bet on you buy

Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Location: Melbourne

I have an 85 SD33T SWB Patrol and have to say I am very happy with it.

They do like to rust a bit and you may find that there is more rust hiding under bog around the body. Places to look are

the roof near the gutters
the firewall
the radiator support panel
Under the doors in the bottom of the sills
The front doors themselves love to rust away if dirt caught in drain points.

I didn't hav to replace the wheel bearings on mine cause they were new but the king pin bearings were well and truely dead and needed to be rebuilt. Around the $150 mark if you do it or I was quoted $600 in the workshop.

Body lift is dead easy as there are only eight points that need blocks and a bit of trimming around the transfer case lever. I did a 50mm lift on mine.

2in body + 2in suspension and I run 35in tyres and only use fifth when doing 110km\h.

Cheers

James

Joined: 23 Oct 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia

Don't get me wrong, the L28 will push 35s, it will just take a bit longer to get there and it will happily sit on 110kmh on the flat.

I actually have a factory workshop manual for these beasts, so if you need any info from it ask away. Smile

Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Location: Newcastle, NSW

Interesting stuff. I heeded some advice given here tonight in a test drive, and all seems rosy. Very trucky on the road, solid feeling, very few squeaks/rattles. Steering seems smooth, engine and gearbox good. 4wd engagement was smooth, but I didn't think it was obvious I was in 4wd low. The lever indicates 2hi at the top, 4hi, neutral and then 4lo at the bottom. Didn't really notice neutral, and there was no solid stop at the bottom. Just pushed the lever as far as it would go, let it spring back a little, and drove a very low 1st. This typical?

I put $1500 deposit on it today, and at this stage, will offer about $3200 all up tomorrow. What ya reckon? Should I become a Nissan man?

Joined: 27 Nov 2002 Location: Toowoomba.Qld

Go the mighty MQ Very Happy

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2003 12:42 am

As of today I own 3 MQ's.... one 308 V8, one 253 V8, and a SD33 desiel,I love em !!! the best thing is ....NO PLASTIC, they are solid, reliable and cheap . I have converted 5 others to V8 holdens so email me when you want the tips or see my reply to "RYAN" on the "202/253 V8 etc into MQ" in the nissan section
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=921&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Location: vic

hey v8patrol,
Your not the one selling the mq's in the trader by anychance are you.And let me know if you have any kits/adaptors for sale plz
I see your in vic, we should all go 4x4n up mt dissapointment some time

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2003 8:57 am

Mt Dissapointment mmmm sounds good I'm in for that !!!, and no I'm not the one selling MQ's .... I'm the opposite I is looking for em for spare parts..... cant afford to keep 4X4 wreckers in luxuary !!!!. Between a mate and myself we own 6 MQ's, my brother in law owns one and my father inlaw owns one as well.... we are always looking for spares.

Joined: 23 Oct 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia

I picked up a complete, very well running 81 MQ LWB Patrol with a 400 Small Block Chev and 5 speed for $2300 The Finger

Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2003 10:44 pm

I picked up a 1980 MQ today for $1200, its a very basic model diesel and runs as sweet as.The interior is almost as new but the body has seen better days tho,with a bit of haggling got me a spare set of 8 inch rims + tyres that are around 60%, spare set of new taillight lens's, brand new set of glowplugs, two new batteries,4 new shockers,spare idlerarm bushes,and about 50 odd 24 volt globes to suit headlight/taillights etc ! Its just a pity thats it's painted YELLOW !!!! YUCK !
The bargains are out there ...just gotta be in the right place at the right time

Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Location: vic

Its funny that, i just picked up an 83 mod mq swb for $450 and guess what? its yellow too.But not for long.These things are hard to find with a good body shell(not alot of rust that is)This is my third one and rust is in the same spots most of the time.

Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Location: Melbourne

So no one fits carbs off the 240z to these things ? I know fuel economy will suffer but should give a fair amount of extra hp, also does the 5spd from the MK fit the MQ is it a straight swap and are they expensive ?
Other option is to use the injection off the 280z or even the skyline.