Forum:
Hi
I test-drove a Rocky / Fourtrak for the first time this weekend after hunting for quite a while to find one - they are thin on the ground in South Africa. The price is good but the truck has clearly not been babied. I would appreciate some advice before taking the leap and buying since I have no Rocky experience:
Is a fair amount of nose-dive under hard braking normal for them? I simulated some hard braking and it pulled up nicely but the nose dipped quite low. the shocks seemed ok in other regards, so I don't think its that.
There is some rust on the firewall below the window and surface rust on the roof, but the sills and arches are ok - where else should I dig for typical rust problems on these vehicles?
I understand that the 2.8 Tdi is a toyota unit - what engine number is it? 3L?
Is there any specific thing that I should be concerned about? - I only read about the positives of owning a Rocky since there appear to be so many 
Hoping to be an owner soon.
V
Rust and brakes
Hello, you did not give details about what rocky it is, as long as the engine has been serviced its bullet proof more or less, nose diving is cos the rear drum brakes need attention, they are always the downfall of a fourtrak, and the other main thing to look for is rust, mainly around wheel arches, sills and near outriggers - another downfall to these great vehicles. The springs might be a bit old and soft aswell take it for a spin off road and see if it hits bumpstops etc, if it does then new suspension needed really. Just treat any rust and it will last for some time. Check the front CV joints for the usual clickin noise in 4wd,look for oil leaks, overheating problems etc, water in oil, just get ya nose around it really!
Full of ideas but no time to do them!!
www.bloodredoffroad.com
www.milneroffroad.com
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youtube: Redfourtrack
Thanks
Thanks for the advice - its a 1999 2.8TDi SE with 120 000 km on the clock, but it clearly had a hard life up to now so the relatively low mileage is either a farce or not really relevant. At least the basics appear to be more or less solid. I was not able to take it off road, and do some of the usual NB checks, but I am planning on a second look which would include that. Must admit I did not consider the rear brakes as a cause, but it does make some sense - something to factor in.
Thanks
Is it SWB- all steel roof,
Is it SWB- all steel roof, or LWB- half resin roof. If its a LWB, check carefully along the roof gutters above the doors. 3 panels meet in the gutter, and the sealant fails, allowing water between the panels- usually shows up as rust along the top door jamb, and down the A pillar. I have had to replace the gutter section down the pillar on a couple of occasions on a couple of vehicles.
Another place to look for rust is in the radiator support panel. Look under the front of the front mudguard/fender, beside where the bulge in the plastic inner shield is. The bulge covers the back of the front indicator/park light. Immediately beside this, closer to the radiator, is also prone to rust, as its again double panel, very exposed to the elements.
120000 km isnt a big deal for a diesel. As long as its been given clean fuel, air, and oil, the motor should be good for a few hundred thousand kms still. At that milage, the rest of the drive train would be barely run in, PROVIDED normal servicing has been done, and no contamination is evident.
Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt.
MUD MAKES EXCELLENT TOOTHPASTE.
I use billion dollar satellites, to find Tupperware.
Please visit http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky/_whatsnew.msnw
All views and advice offered are my own, from my ow
Growing old is compulsary, growing up isnt.
MUD MAKES EXCELLENT TOOTHPASTE.
I use billion dollar satellites, to find Tupperware.
Please visit http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky/_whatsnew.msnw
All views and advice offered are my own, from my ow
Rust and brakes
Hello, you did not give details about what rocky it is, as long as the engine has been serviced its bullet proof more or less, nose diving is cos the rear drum brakes need attention, they are always the downfall of a fourtrak, and the other main thing to look for is rust, mainly around wheel arches, sills and near outriggers - another downfall to these great vehicles. The springs might be a bit old and soft aswell take it for a spin off road and see if it hits bumpstops etc, if it does then new suspension needed really. Just treat any rust and it will last for some time. Check the front CV joints for the usual clickin noise in 4wd,look for oil leaks, overheating problems etc, water in oil, just get ya nose around it really!
Full of ideas but no time to do them!!
www.bloodredoffroad.com
www.milneroffroad.com
eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6d%75%64%6e%75%74%72%75%63%6b%40%67%6f%6f%67%6c%65%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%22%3e%6d%75%64%6e%75%74%72%75%63%6b%40%67%6f%6f%67%6c%65%6d%61%69%6c%2e%63%6f%6d%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b'))
youtube: Redfourtrack