Push 'N' Shove

Want to build a no-nonsense, uber-tough tourer? Then shoehorn a monster 6.6-litre Duramax TDV8 into the engine bay of a patrol UTE.

- Justin Walker

WHY OVERCOMPLICATE matters when the simple approach often works best, as this trick GU Patrol proves. Owner Todd Bonnard wanted a 4x4 ute that was, in his words, “the perfect all-rounder”, so when this half-finished project vehicle, complete with transplanted Duramax 6.6-litre V8 turbo-diesel and six-speed auto, came up for sale, Todd jumped on it. As a long-term GU Patrol fan – the other rig in his garage is a 4.2TD wagon – it was an easy decision to make. The modified 4x4 belies its subtle, understated exterior by offering incredible on-road performance; plus, it’s nigh-unstoppable in the rough stuff. And it all starts with that bloody big engine.

ENLARGED HEART

IT’S A STRAIGHTFORWARD answer when Todd is asked about the appeal of the Duramax nestled inside the Patrol’s engine bay. “Definitely the power,” he enthuses. “And in terms of what you can do with them to extract more power. They’re pushing pretty big power over in the US in those big utes and rigs there, so you can imagine what it is going to do in a smaller Patrol – the power-to-weight ratio is much better.”

As with any engine/gearbox transplant, it’s no easy task, requiring a few mods to the engine bay to ensure proper fitment (a cut and plated firewall, for one), along with numerous add-ons, to make it run smoothly with the rest of the big Nissan’s drivetrain while punching out copious grunt.