Forum:
Hello All,
I'm getting disenchanted with biking through winter and I like 4WD's so.......
I am now the proud owner of a 1991 sportrak EL EFi, which so far I like very much.
(even with its bus like acceleration & spongey no-feedback brakes)
I only have the owners manual that comes with the car and am not too sure how the four wheel drive works!! ( I know I know )
as far as I can gather you stop and select 4WD then move off slowly to engage the hubs.
The bit that isnt too clear is how to disengage the front drive ( it seems to suggest to reverse for 10 feet in a straight line )
but assuming the light is triggered by the gearbox , and without jacking the front up how can you be sure you have disengaged it 
(does the sporty have a centre diff - aint got a manual yet)
Any and all advice appreciated.
Like would a cat be essential for its next MOT
(its had a recent new rear exhaust and I'll bet they didnt put a new cat in - though I havent looked yet!)
Daihats are standard road wor
Daihats are standard road work rear wheel drive animals. The 4wd on a daihats is engaged by a dog clutch at the front of the transfure box, and free wheeling hubs on the front axle. From what you've writen I take it your beasti has automatic electronic free wheeling hubs? If it doesent you'll find a twist switch in the centre of each front hub with 'lock' and 'free' stamped on it. Both need to be turned to 'lock' for 4wd to engage. There are also some daihats that have a 4wheel/2wheel drive switch on the dash that opperates the hubs.
As for dissengaging the 4wd, reversing up can work. Also bouncing over a pavment, or giving the stiring a good wigeling whilst mooving can do it. Basicly however you go about it you need to unwind the running gear, to take the tention off the freewheeling hubs and dog clutch so they can dissengage.
Try driving in a tight circle on dry tarmac in 4wd. Then do it in 2wd. You'll soon see the diffrance. The stearing it way heavy in 4wd, and your turning circle increases as the front and rear axles are fighting each other.
Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.
Disengaging auto front hubs
Yes, you reselect 2 wheel drive (2H) and reverse 10 feet or so. So make sure you're more than 10 feet from whatever it was you engaged 4wd to drive through ;)
You can't really tell if the hub has failed to disengage except by jacking the front up and turning the wheel - if the drive shaft turns the hub is engaged. However, the steering will feel a little heavier with the hubs locked (even in 2wd). It's not vital to disengage the hubs when returning to 2wd by the way, contrary to popular belief you won't damage the front drive train, the freewheeling hubs are only fitted to reduce transmission drag and hence give better m.p.g. In fact you should drive with them engaged occasionally to ensure the front drive train remains lubricated (in 2wd if on a metalled road because no, there's no centre diff so driving on a surface with lots of tyre grip in 4wd will bugger the transmission - especially if you drive in tight circles).
Don
Don
Thanks for the advice guys.
I am suprised to hear that the autolocking hubs are electric ones !
my 2/4WD gear selector dosen't have a neutral position (like shown in the owners handbook) also it dosent have any electric/dash switch for the 4WD
All it seems to have is a green light on the dash when you engage hi or lo 4WD.
The other wonder is the electro adjustable shocks, the guy I bought it from told me they had been replaced, but when I turn the switch on the dash I hear some motor kind of noise for a second as though something is happening.
Anyone explain this
Also theres a worrying kind of knocking noise when its ticking over, which dissapears as soon as the revs go over 1000.
(didnt notice it when I bought it because its very quiet)
it dosent go away when I dip the clutch so I am thinking/worrying about the big and small ends.
anyone else experienced this type of noise !
I am off to the autoparts store tomorrow for some engine flush, magnatec, gearbox oil and brake fluid.
one last question, does anybody think its worth putting a K&N filter on and bottle of slick 50 in
Thanks for any advice.:)
Motor noise with suspension
To me it sounds like the suspension was replaced with adjustable shocks, so you still have that feature.
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N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, S/Steel Sillbars, more to follow!
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Thanks Lurch
Are you still selling those manuals I've seen advertised and which one would I need
(H reg 1991 sportrak EL EFi)
Yup
Yeah the manuals are still for sale. It is the Sportrak Service Manual which you need.
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N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, S/Steel Sillbars, more to follow!
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Cheers I shall be purchasing one this coming week.
P.S can everybody see that little demon thing with my I.P addy and stuff
Your IP
That little image tells everyone their own IP and browser. Its a little bit of fun to scare people.
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N-Reg Daihatsu Sportrak Midnight. A-Bar, K&N, 100Watt Spots, Custom S/Steel Wheel Cover, S/Steel Sillbars, more to follow!
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