Custom Nissan Patrol Y60

I met this beautiful Nissan Patrol Y60 and its happy owner, Jean Luc, who was organizing the first edition of the Pionniers Classic in 2023. Jean Luc was my press driver for a while and I was able to appreciate the nice preparation of the Nissan. As we sometimes have a little time during the specials, while waiting for the competitors, why not do a report on this Patrol Y60 preparation?

Preparation of a Patrol

So we have a beautiful Nissan Patrol which is the property of Jean Luc (France). Aged 69, he lives in the Monts du Lyonnais. He has been a 4×4 practitioner for a few years, he acquired his first 4×4, a Jeep Cherokee prepared by RR Concept in 2009 to go and participate in his first rally, the Rally of the Pharaohs, he will then drive it on the Rally of Tunisia, then the Africa Race. He then moves on to a Bowler, 4.0l V8 engine. He then took part in a whole series of rallies up to Turkmenistan.

Next came our Patrol Y60, which was entrusted to Sylvain Couteau, whom he met during a rally in Morocco. He was close to home and then they got on well, they hit it off. As Jean Luc says, Sylvain gives very good advice, he is reliable and responsive, he then decides to change vehicles after selling his Bowler, during the covid, he brings him the Patrol which was bought second-hand at 115,000 km. To validate the buyback, Sylvain will be there and will validate the good condition of the Patrol.

I met Jean Luc at the Rallye Pionniers Classic in 2023, he was in the organization and took me to the tracks as a media driver when I wasn’t in the helicopter. In 2024, he returns to the Pionniers Classic in the raid category.

For 2025, apart from taking a nap, his goal is either to have fun again with his Nissan on the Pionnier Classic in a timed raid, or to race with a rental vehicle, probably from Sylvain Couteau, watch this space.

The rallies he has participated in:

• 2009 – Rallye des Pharaons
• 2010 – Rallye de Tunisie
• 2011 – AFRICA RACE
• 2012 – Rallye du Maroc
• 2014 – Rallye des Balkans
• 2015 – Rallye de Tunisie and Rallye du Maroc
• 2016 – SILK WAY Moscou Pékin
• 2017 – HEARTS OF MOROCCO
• 2017 – MDC and Rallye du Maroc
• 2018 – MDC
• 2018 – TURKMEN DESERT RACE
• 2022 – Rallye des Pionniers (organization)

The preparation and maintenance were carried out at Garage Couteau. Once in the workshop, the first thing to do was to bring everything that is routine maintenance up to standard. With Sylvain Couteau, it was therefore decided to redo the oil changes of all the fluids, oil, gearbox, coolant, power steering fluid. We also change all the filters at the same time.

Once this step is completed, we move on to the maintenance of the mechanical parts and the replacement of a few parts. The original radiator is changed to a large volume aluminum model, the hoses are now made of silicone. To improve the engine a little, an LDA cam is installed in place of the original one, we gain a little torque and horsepower.

We mount new parts:

• steering rod
• steering ball joint
• seals and pivot bearings
• battery support and terminals
• spindle sealing kit
• optimized discs and new brake pads
• silentblock kit
• caliper seal kit
• steering damper
• wheel spacers
• manual Free-wheel Hub

Engine-wise, it is the standard 2.8 TD 6 cylinders. Originally it makes 115 hp and with the addition of an LDA cam, it goes to around 135 hp. We change the exhaust in favor of a custom stainless steel line. Here the idea is above all to favor the torque.

For comfort and improved off-road handling, let’s remember that Jean Luc has also participated in many rallies, so you need something that holds up well on the tracks. The 4 springs have fallen off and new ones are being put in that are more capable of withstanding intensive use and the shock absorbers are now Koni Heavy Track. For the front axle, AVM disengageable hubs are installed.

To protect the underside of the Patrol, Sylvain will add engine armor, transfer case armor, axle shell, underbody protection with holes to be able to put the hydraulic jack, racing mud flaps.

To facilitate electrical maintenance, a fuse box is mounted inside the car. For safety, a circuit breaker is also on the co-driver’s side.

Rally-style rear lights and LEDs are added to the 4×4.

An air compressor is housed in the trunk, it is connected to a tank which acts as a reserve of compressed air. To facilitate inflation, a quick connector is located at the front of the Patrol.

A dashboard bar makes it very convenient to install various devices like the Garmin GPS on its Ram Mount. For navigation, traditional with a Geotrip 202. It’s like the standard terratrip, except that it works with the GPS, it’s easier to calibrate. It is installed on its dedicated support and we also have a remote control.

The Patrol is in a two-seater configuration in order to reserve all the rear space for storing equipment. It is something simple but can be modulated according to needs. During the Pionniers Classic rally, there was some equipment, a few tools, luggage. Everything is strapped down using aero rails and straps.

For the 4×4 tires, here, Jean Luc has trusted BF Goodrich Mud Terrain in 255/85/16 mounted on steel rims, to gain a little in track width, a wheel spacer kit is fitted.