Forum:
Hi can anyone help me, i have just purchased a 1998 fourtrak tdl se there is no 4h button on the dash its all on the lever but it seems also the front hubs are just normal hubs not manual or auto but it works fine in 4 wheel drive, can anyone explane how it works thanks.
Good news and somewhat bad news.
When I purchased my 1998 Fieldman brand new from Hares Daihatsu, their sales rep told me that they had freewheel hubs (fwh). He lied !
It seems that some vehicles in 1998 had no fwh fitted as a cost-saving exercise. This is easily surmounted by getting a set of manual fwh from Milners. Make sure you get the 6 stud types, not the earlier 5 stud ones.
The good news. You have an all-manual 2/4wd shift on your transfer box. These NEVER go wrong, unlike the horrible electromechanical vacuum servo system which was designed by a paranoid depressive Japanese whose brain was addled with too much saki. If you doubt me, do a search for the many articles that say 'stuck in 4wd'.
I've already written words on this. Do a search for 'paranoid saki'.
four wheel drive
Thanks for your answer, i have looked in to it and it seems daihatsu free wheelin hubs became an optional extra from 1998 onwards as you said because of the expence! but it seems they have no effect on 4wd what so ever all they do is save a nominal amount of fuel and tire ware! any opinion will be appreciated. thanks paul