Nissan Patrol right-hand drive: official name and model codes

Many car enthusiasts studying the market for used Japanese SUVs are faced with the question of what is the official name Nissan Patrol right-hand drive. In everyday speech, we often use the general name, but to correctly identify a car when buying or searching for spare parts, you need to know the exact designations. In Japan, this off-road monster has its own unique names, which have varied depending on the generation and target market.

Understanding this terminology is critically important, since it is by the model name that you can determine the year of manufacture, engine type and equipment. If you see in the ad «Nissan Safari», this is not a mistake and not another car, but precisely the same legendary SUV that we used to call Patrol. The only difference is that this name was used for the domestic Japanese market, while "Patrol" was intended for export to Australia, Europe and other countries.

History of dual naming and the Japanese market

Long time company Nissan Motor Co. followed a strategy in which the same model had different names depending on the sales region. For the domestic Japanese market (JDM - Japanese Domestic Market), a mid- and full-size SUV bore a proud name Nissan Safari. This name was not chosen by chance; it emphasized the car’s ability to overcome difficult natural obstacles and travel through the wild.

At the same time, when the car was sent for export, it received the name Nissan Patrol. This duality created a unique situation where the same car with right-hand drive in Japan was called Safari, and the same one, but with left-hand drive or for another country, was called Patrol. It is important to take this into account when searching for original spare parts, since in catalogs they can be divided by these names.

Many owners of right-hand drive cars mistakenly believe that Safari - this is some kind of special version only for jeepers, but in fact it was the official trade name for all generations up to a certain point. It was only in 1998, with the start of production of the new generation, that the company decided to unify the name throughout the world, but older models continued to be sold under the Safari name until their production ended.

Generation Y60: Legendary Nissan Safari

One of the most iconic generations is considered Nissan Patrol Y60, which in Japan was officially called Nissan Safari Y60. This car was produced from 1987 to 1997 and became a real standard of reliability. The legendary diesel engines of the series were often installed under the hood of these cars. RD28 And TD42, which provided incredible traction at low revs.

The appearance of the Y60 is distinguished by its angularity and massiveness, which makes it recognizable even among modern crossovers. The Japanese domestic market offered rich configurations, including versions with air conditioning, electric mirrors and even an automatic transmission, which was a rarity for SUVs of that time. The right-hand steering wheel on these cars is ergonomically positioned, providing excellent visibility when driving on narrow Japanese roads.

• 🚙 Body code: Unique indexes such as BU60T for a turbodiesel, easy to find in the documents.
• 🛠️ Engines: Gasoline TB42 and diesel RD28T considered the standard of endurance.
• 🌍 Market: Most of the copies brought to Russia were withdrawn from Japanese auctions as Nissan Safari.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that in documents for such cars you can often find the name Nissan Safari precisely as the official name of the model for the domestic market. This is a key point when re-registering or insuring, since the title may indicate this name, and not Patrol.

Generation Y61: Era of Name Unification

With the advent of the new generation Y61, which debuted in 1997, the naming situation began to change, but did not completely disappear. In Japan, the model continued to be called Nissan Safari until 2010, when production ceased. This generation received an independent front suspension, which was a revolutionary step for such a heavy SUV.

For the Japanese market, the Y61 was offered with a wide choice of engines, including a powerful petrol VH41 4.1 liter and diesel TD42T with turbocharging. Right-hand drive was standard here, and the interior featured more modern finishes than its predecessor. It is important to note that export versions shipped to Australia retained the name Nissan Patrol and often had left-hand drive, although there were also right-hand drive export modifications.

Owners of right-hand drive Y61s are often faced with the need to search for specific spare parts that are labeled specifically for Nissan Safari. This applies not only to the body, but also to electronic control units, sensors and suspension elements, which could differ depending on the market.

Generation Y62: The end of the Safari era

With the launch of production of the Y62 model in 2010, the company Nissan finally abandoned the name Safari in the Japanese domestic market. Now even Japanese right-hand drive versions began to be called Nissan Patrol. This has made life easier for consumers and eliminated the confusion that has existed for the last two decades.

Y62 is a modern technological monster with all-wheel drive system 4x4, multimedia systems and adaptive suspension. Although the name has changed, the spirit of the SUV remains the same. On the Japanese market, this model is available exclusively in right-hand drive, which makes it attractive to collectors and vehicle enthusiasts from Japan.

Unlike previous generations, the Y62 has sleeker body lines and an aerodynamic design that improves fuel economy on the highway. However, its cross-country ability remains high thanks to the system HICAS and differential locks. Buying a right-hand drive Y62 is a choice in favor of comfort and a modern level of equipment.

How to distinguish the Japanese version from the export one

When buying a right-hand drive car, it is important to understand that even if it is called Nissan Patrol, it may be Japanese version (JDM) or export to other country. Japanese versions often have specific body stickers indicating compliance with Japanese safety standards, as well as unique nameplates Safari on older models.

Export versions may differ in the set of options, body colors and even the design of bumpers, which are adapted to local regulations. For example, American versions often have stronger bumpers and different headlights. Right-hand drive is less common on export cars and is usually intended for the markets of England, Australia or the UAE, where this is a legal requirement or tradition.

To accurately determine the origin of a car, you need to check the VIN. The first characters of the code will indicate the country of manufacture, and the subsequent characters will indicate the model and type of engine. For right-hand drive Japanese cars, the code often begins with J or 1J, which clearly identifies them as made in Japan.

Features of operation and maintenance

Operation of right-hand drive Nissan Patrol or Nissan Safari has its own characteristics, especially in the Russian climate and road network. Many owners note that the right-hand drive provides better visibility when driving on the side of the road, which is important for rural areas, but requires getting used to when overtaking on highways.

Servicing such vehicles is often complicated by the need to find spare parts that may be labeled in Japanese. However, due to the popularity of the model, the market offers many analogues and original parts. The main thing is to know the exact model name and body code so as not to make a mistake when ordering.

Electronics systems on right-hand drive versions may also have differences in operating logic, especially with regard to multimedia systems and navigation. Often, owners replace standard units with universal ones or ones adapted for the Russian language to improve ease of use.

⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a right-hand drive Nissan Safari Y60 or Y61, be sure to check the condition of the frame for corrosion, as Japanese roads in coastal areas contribute to the rapid destruction of metal.

Table of characteristics by generation

For clarity, let’s compare the main characteristics of different generations of right-hand drive models. This information will help you quickly navigate the variety of options on the used car market.

Generation	Years of manufacture	Name in Japan	Engines (example)	Drive
Y60	1987–1997	Nissan Safari	RD28, TD42, TB42	Full
Y61	1997–2010	Nissan Safari	TD42, VH41, ZD30	Full
Y62	2010–present	Nissan Patrol	VK56VD, TD55	Full
Y71 (Grande)	1980–1987	Nissan Safari	L28, SD33	Full

Conclusion and tips for choosing

To summarize, we can say that right-hand drive Nissan Patrol in Japan it was officially called Nissan Safari until 2010. After this date, the name was unified and all new models received the Patrol name. Understanding this history will help you avoid confusion when searching for a car and choosing the right parts.

When choosing between generations, it's worth considering your goals: the Y60 and Y61 are classics for serious off-road use, while the Y62 is all about comfort and technology. Right-hand drive is not an obstacle to operation in Russia, but requires adaptation to road rules and driving characteristics.

Always pay attention to the condition of the car and its history. A correctly selected model will become a faithful companion on any journey, be it city roads or severe off-road conditions.

What documents are needed for customs clearance of a right-hand drive Nissan?

To clear a car through customs, you must provide a vehicle passport (PTS), a customs declaration, documents confirming the payment of customs duties, and a certificate of conformity. It is also important to have a sales contract and an extract from the Japanese auction if the car was purchased there.

⚠️ Attention: Do not buy a car without checking for hidden damage to the frame and body, as repairs after serious accidents on Japanese SUVs can cost more than the car itself.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why is Nissan Patrol called Safari in Japan?

In Japan the model was officially called Nissan Safari until 2010, as this name was registered for the domestic market, while "Patrol" was used for export. This was the company's marketing strategy to divide markets.

What engines were installed on right-hand drive Nissan Safari Y61?

Diesel engines were installed on right-hand drive versions of the Y61 TD42 And ZD30, as well as gasoline engines VH41 And VK56. The choice of engine depended on the year of manufacture and the specific configuration.

Is it possible to find a right-hand drive Nissan Patrol Y62 in Russia?

Yes, right-hand drive versions of the Y62 are found in Russia, but their number is significantly smaller than left-hand drive ones. They are imported from Japan and the UAE, and often command a high price due to their rarity and demand.

How is the Japanese version of Safari different from the export Patrol?

The Japanese version (Safari) often has richer equipment, specific options for the local market and right-hand drive. Export versions may differ in bumpers, headlights and set of options depending on the requirements of the importing country.

How to check the authenticity of a right-hand drive Nissan Patrol?

To verify authenticity, you need to check the VIN code with documents, check for the presence of nameplates with the model name and study the history of the car through specialized services. It is also worth paying attention to the correspondence of the steering wheel and pedals.