Nissan Navara D40 Boat ramp Issues

[Spaniard_King]

I not long ago bought a manual D40 Kingcab, last weekend I decided it had enough klm to start towing my 2.5 T boat around.

All went well untill I tried getting the boat and trailer up the ramp. The ramp is fairly steep (so is good for boat launching) but I thought still within the capabilities of a normal 4wd in low range, well I was wrong. It took me 10 or so stalled attempts to gett the rig moving in low range heavilly riding the clutch

Having talked to nissan today they tell me this is normal due to the twin disk clutch that is in the new d40, apparently its quite volatile but smooth in transfering the torque to the drive train They gave no real solution.

Has anyone else experienced stalling issues with a D40 navara?

Just lucky I have a cruiser to use instead

[ozscott]

Thats insane Gary...and the explanation sounds like bollocks to me.

I know its a completely different vehicle and my boat is lighter (21 1970's Vagabond ...call it 2 tonn inc trailer) but even on the steepest ramps I use low range first on the Disco and let the clutch out without ANY throttle and it easily and smoothly just moves off with the boat on the rear...and your cruiser would be the same no doubt, so it just sounds like it has major problems...I know the TD's require some revs to get torquey and the low gearing is not as low as your Cruiser or my LR, but seriously just a little throttle should do it...I would be taking it higher at Nissan.

Cheers

[Lucky_Phill]

Sounds like crap to me too Garry.

I had the D22 3.0ltr diesel man. Pulled my boat up the ramps in Low 4 x 4 ( rear wheels only due to manual hubs..... how I miss manual hubs ). 99% of the time I didn't even have to rev the engine, simply took off like the vehicle was not under towing conditions. Never stalled.... it also had the twin plate clutch system. I actually proved this point once, I was on flat ground with boat behind and simply took foot of clutch and did NOT have other foot on accelerator.... moved off slowly and no stalling.

Now, is your D40 an electric auto 4 x 4 thingie. My new colorado is and I have " issues " trying to get it into low range. I realistically have to wait more than 10 seconds for it to engage, sometimes ,longer. Going in and out of gear to help .




cheers
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[GBC]

That's a shame Garry- but you were warned. Hope your situation improves. It's not just Nissans suffering with the new manual box setup either - holdens, toyotas, mazdas - they're all doing it.

[FNQCairns]

As mentioned above that sounds insane and as also mentioned above where you in low range? Did you back down in low range?

I know these small engine diesel turbo units can be doughy like a 1L Diahatsu charade just away from idle so offer almost no chance in high range but one would think in low range it should walk the boat out after a couple of feet.

Good luck hope you sort this, I am interested to hear what others have experienced, the dealers response sound like he is palming you off but who knows these days.

cheers fnq

[BenDover]

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[maztez]

you shouldn't have to do any changes ...the bloody vehicle should be more than capable of doing the job .

[cormorant]

Is it definatetly the clutch set up? Just wondering if it is the fancy braking systems possibly not releasing like a Subaru hill start or similar? Never had a look at the clutch set up on those.

Never a comfortable feeling on a steep ramp stalling like a teenager.

Doesn't sound like it will be good for clutch wear.

If the dealer was aware of that and you told him you towed a boat up ramps it nearly come down as "not fit for service". Pretty poor answer from the dealer - wonder what Nissan Australia says and why non of the tests in the mags picked this up?

[Stonkered]

The D40 clutch is a piece of.... junk.

I just had mine replaced under warranty. Only 30,000 on the clock. Done bugger all hard work. Towed up to 1.5t on maybe half a dozen occasions and a bit of beach work (clutch didnt like the soft stuff)

I love the vehicle otherwise. I'll be changing it over for an automatic model in the next 6 months or so.

[BenDover]

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[cormorant]

Is there a heavier duty clutch pack avaliable for these?

What is the cost of replacement as it really adds up on some 4wd as they are hard to do

[Stonkered]

Is there a heavier duty clutch pack avaliable for these?

What is the cost of replacement as it really adds up on some 4wd as they are hard to do

About $2500 fitted for a non-nissan HD solid clutch

[vertico]

sounds like it isnt low range ??

[gofishin]

Gary, I'm with the others, it couldn't have been in LR 1st . Sometimes these newer servo operated T/F boxes takes a while to select 4WD LR. I generally stop at the top of the ramp or on the way down, engage neutral, switch to 4WD LR, wait for the click (couple of secs) then reverse a bit more to make sure it is in LR.

My 06 D40 pulls up my near 3t 685 in idle on its ear, so you shouldn't have a problem!
cheers
Brendon
PS. I have the new Nissan heavy duty dual-mass clutch assembly, and it is simply myles better than the original (which would easily stall if you farted in the wrong direction ). Time will tell how good the new ones are! My next truck will be an auto too.

[BenDover]

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