#152 - End of the Nissan Patrol V8 era
About this episode
Dive into the massive news surrounding the end of the Nissan Patrol V8 era and what this transition means for the four-wheel-drive community. The hosts debate a controversial new trend of using AI for DIY car repairs, questioning whether novice mechanics should tackle critical tasks like replacing brake pads. Plus, hear a crucial Terrain Tamer tip on keeping campsites clean, and get the latest updates on the show's upcoming camping trips and community giveaways.
Nissan announce they will no longer be using a V8 engine in their Nissan Patrols as the last shipments of V8 Y62 Patrols are released and they will instead be moving to the same engine as the Toyota 300 Series LandCruisers; a twin-turbo V6 engine.
In the wake of this GWM announce they are adding a V8 engine to their Tank 700's with more information dropping later in the year.
Music by The Southern River Band. Produced by BackChat. Tyrepower powering the podcast!
The 4WD Podcast is recorded out of BC Studios, built by grounded. building tomorrow, together. https://grounded.com.au/
Follow us on Instagram: @the4wdpodcast. Music by The Southern River Band.
Hunt and Brew. Real Coffee. Real Milk. Always hunting for coffee.
w: www.huntandbrew.com
Terrain Tamer. Making 4WD parts and accessories that have been designed, manufactured and tested to withstand the harshest conditions Australia has to offer.
The 4WD Podcast powered by Tyrepower. Recorded at BackChat Studios built by grounded.
Music by The Southern River Band.
Tough Dog Making Tracks Across the World!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
700 Tank 700
"Another one on the Radar Tank 700. Have you heard about this? It's getting a V8 engine. So they're bringing out the Tank 700 SUV."
A large, boxy luxury off-road vehicle from Chinese automaker GWM that looks similar to a Mercedes G-Wagon and surprisingly features a powerful V8 engine.
The GWM Tank 700 is a rugged, luxury body-on-frame SUV manufactured by Great Wall Motor. It stands out in the modern market for offering a powerful twin-turbocharged V8 engine option paired with a plug-in hybrid system, defying the industry trend of downsizing.
Nissan Patrol (Y62)
"I reckon the Nissan, the V8. The Y62. Two. And the Y63 has got a minimum as well. No, the Y63's will be V6."
A very large, powerful SUV made by Nissan that is famous for its smooth V8 engine and ability to tow heavy trailers or caravans across tough terrain.
The Nissan Patrol (Y62 generation) is a full-size four-wheel-drive SUV powered by a sophisticated 5.6-liter V8 engine. It is highly regarded for its independent suspension system and exceptional towing capacity, making it a staple of Australian touring.
Jack Wei
"And they, so GDOM, the chairman, Jack Wei said this is completely the opposite to the current environmental trend or the, to the current environment and the trend in China..."
The billionaire boss of Great Wall Motor, a major Chinese car company that makes popular off-road SUVs and trucks.
Jack Wei is the long-serving Chairman of Great Wall Motor (GWM). Under his leadership, GWM expanded from a low-cost truck builder into a major global SUV and EV manufacturer with brands like Haval, Wey, and Tank.
G-Class Gwagon
"Patrols won't have them anymore. G-Wagon. Range Rovers have got them."
The G-Class is an expensive, box-shaped SUV made by Mercedes-Benz. Originally designed for military use, it is a luxury vehicle that combines heavy-duty off-road capability with a high-end interior.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagon, is an iconic, military-derived luxury SUV characterized by its boxy shape, body-on-frame construction, and triple locking differentials. The 2026 model year features updated mild-hybrid powertrains and improved aerodynamics while maintaining its legendary off-road mechanical layout.
Land Range Rovers
"G-Wagon. Range Rovers have got them. G-Wagon."
The Range Rover is an expensive, luxury SUV made by Land Rover. It is designed to offer a smooth, comfortable ride like a high-end limousine while still being able to drive through deep mud and rough trails.
The Land Rover Range Rover is the benchmark for luxury off-road SUVs, combining high-end British craftsmanship with sophisticated all-terrain technology. The current generation features advanced air suspension, active roll stabilization, and highly capable four-wheel-drive systems, though it has transitioned to more complex electronic architectures.
Prado / Meru
"...bit unique. Like, you know, they're not exactly a Prado. They're not exactly like."
The Prado is a medium-sized SUV made by Toyota. It is a slightly smaller and more affordable version of the famous Land Cruiser, designed to be easy to drive in the city while still being great for off-road camping trips.
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (often just called the Prado) is a mid-size SUV that offers a more compact, city-friendly alternative to the full-size Land Cruiser while retaining serious off-road hardware. In 2026, the Prado is represented by the 250 Series, featuring a boxy retro design and modern turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
Toyota Land Cruiser (300 Series)
"The 300 is proving itself. I don't know why they wouldn't be. How long has the 300 been around? Mid-2021. Yeah, so I thought that would have been about five years or four years."
Toyota's flagship luxury off-road SUV. The latest version swapped out the old V8 engine for a more modern, high-tech twin-turbo V6 engine.
The Toyota Land Cruiser (300 Series) is a premium full-size off-roader that replaced the long-running 200 Series. It marked a major shift for the nameplate by replacing the traditional V8 engine with a high-torque 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 diesel.
flex
"Plus, like, mate, the flex on the most... But I saw an old school GQ patrol just, like, flexing hard off. Yeah, just parked. And I was like, oh, God, that's mean."
How much a vehicle's wheels can move up and down over bumps. Good 'flex' means the tires stay pressed against the ground even when climbing over big rocks or deep ruts.
Flex (or suspension articulation) refers to the vertical movement of a vehicle's suspension, allowing the wheels to move up and down relative to the chassis. High suspension flex keeps tyres in contact with uneven ground, maintaining traction off-road.
Kia Carnival
"For the past two years, we've been towing with a Kia Carnival. The caravan is one ton. Wow. Right. So big ups to Kia. Well done. That is cool. The old Carnival."
A very popular family minivan that is great for carrying lots of kids and luggage, and can even tow light trailers or small caravans.
The Kia Carnival is a highly popular multi-purpose vehicle (minivan) known for its class-leading passenger space and car-like driving dynamics. While primarily a family hauler, its strong V6 or turbo-diesel engines allow it to handle light towing duties surprisingly well.
Kia Tasmans
"Sharks popular. Don't see a lot of Kia Tasman's. No."
The Tasman is a pickup truck made by the South Korean company Kia. It is designed to carry cargo in an open utility bed and drive on rough roads.
The Kia Tasman is Kia's entry into the mid-size body-on-frame pickup truck market, designed to challenge established dual-cab utilities. Released around 2025/2026, it features a highly polarizing, rugged exterior design paired with a practical, tech-forward interior and capable four-wheel-drive options.
Dodge Ram
"Like an American truck? Like a ram or something? No."
This is a very large American pickup truck made by Ram. It is built for hauling heavy loads, towing trailers, and carrying passengers in a spacious cabin.
Now officially branded simply as Ram, this full-size American pickup truck is highly regarded for its class-leading interior luxury, coil-spring rear suspension, and towing capability. By 2026, the truck has largely transitioned from the classic Hemi V8 to the high-tech 'Hurricane' twin-turbo inline-six engine.
Mitsubishi Triton (MQ)
"Anyway, I just bought my first four-wheel drive, a 2016 MQ Triton GLX Good Old 4N15 Block. Good engine. Stock at the moment, other than a factory bull bar."
A popular mid-sized pickup truck (called a 'ute' in Australia) that is great for daily driving and weekend off-road adventures without costing as much as some rivals.
The Mitsubishi Triton (MQ generation) is a popular mid-size utility vehicle (ute) powered by a 2.4-liter '4N15' turbo-diesel engine. It is widely recognized for its value-for-money off-road capability and distinctive, curved 'J-line' cabin design.
recovery points
"I've gone out and got myself recovery tracks, recovery hitch, no recovery points on the car yet, tyre gauge, air compressor, soft shackles and a kinetic rope."
Strong metal loops bolted directly to a vehicle's frame. They are designed to safely connect tow straps or ropes when pulling a stuck vehicle out of sand or mud.
Rated recovery points are dedicated, heavy-duty frame-mounted connection points designed to withstand the extreme forces of a vehicle recovery. Standard factory tie-down loops are not rated for recovery and can dangerously shear off under load.
kinetic rope
"I've gone out and got myself recovery tracks, recovery hitch, no recovery points on the car yet, tyre gauge, air compressor, soft shackles and a kinetic rope."
A special, stretchy rope used to pull stuck cars out of mud or sand. Because it stretches like a rubber band, it pulls the stuck car out much more smoothly and safely than a stiff chain or strap.
A kinetic recovery rope is a highly stretchable nylon rope used to pull stuck vehicles. It stretches under tension to store kinetic energy, then contracts to gently pull the vehicle out, reducing shock loads on both chassis.
air down
"Lower your tyres to where you feel like you're comfortable if you're going on sand... Yeah, genuinely just go hit up a beach, air down, be safe."
Letting air out of your tires before driving on soft ground like beach sand. This makes the tires wider and flatter, helping the car float on top of the sand instead of digging in and getting stuck.
Airing down is the practice of reducing tyre pressure before driving on soft surfaces like sand or mud. This increases the tyre's footprint (contact patch), spreading the vehicle's weight and dramatically improving traction.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.