Forum:
Hi Guys & Gals,
I've just joined this forum so hi to all.
I currently drive a Toyota 2.4TD Surf which I'm thrilled with but it's my only vehicle and between having to clean it every time I hit the mud and that fact that I don't really want to hurt it I'm now looking to buy a full time off-roader with a mate of mine.
Obviously LR's are out of the question as I actually like driving through mud etc rather than simply having a hobby fixing it.
We're sold on the Fourtrak and are currently searching Autotrader and eBay for a decent runner (up to £500-600).
If you could put yourself in my situation, what Daihatsu would you spend your money on? Is there much of a difference between pre 1993 models and post 1993 models? Independent rear suspension or not? Are they prone to rusting?
Does anyone here have one for sale?
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks
SurfMan
94 2.8 tdx in fife
hi just this morning found my beloved fourtrak will be needing new sills for her mot plus what ever else she needs so have decided to take her of the road. i wont go into to many details incase you are miles away from fife but she's a great runner had no probs with her she's only just gone around the clock with next to new tyres and shocks fitted last year. she'd be a excellent ofroader if your in the area.drop me a line if any use to you or if anyone else is interested and i'll post all the history and details of her ive had her for nearly 4 yrs and have had no serious prob's with it. cheers bill
Choices Choices Choices
Fourtrak's are very durable vehicles, and unlike Land Rover, very reliable as well as competent off road straight from the box, they do have a few quirks.
Rear wheel arches are prone to rust and you cannot buy replacements, you have to buy the complete quarter panel from Daihatsu, or do what i, and many others do; make them.
Generally, it is a simple case of looking round them, neglected cooling systems induce head gasket failure as well as heater matrix failure, these can go in less than 100,000 miles, but if properly maintained, will last in excess of 600,000 miles; yes i know of two local vehicles which have covered these mileages without anything more than regular servicing.
General abuse is what to look for on a secondhand vehicle, just as with any off roader, Fourtrak's being so good, and reliable, are often abused and neglected by a proportion of owners.
Solid axled pre independent models are better suited to off road work as they do not have front driveshafts with joints which wear, usually attributable to split or torn driveshaft gaiters. Independent's are better if you need to do a high proportion of road miles.
Rusty Fourtracks!
All I can say about old fourtraks is rust and lots of it. I own a 1991 truck and all the rear floor has gone, my mates is the same, i had to make new sills for last mot, if you are going to buy one to use on the road and not trailer to play days you need to be very carfull about what you buy. Take along a long screw driver and poke every thing to see if it is rotten, make sure you look under all the carpets, give the inner rear aches a good poke where they meet the sills, have a good look at where the body bolts to the chassis at the rear, my body mounts have compleatly gone. Hope I have not put you off buying one as they are brilliant machines that would pull down a house and they dont break, its just the body that lets them down. PS I use my Brilliant Defender 90 to tow my fourtrak to play days!
Rust
'91 Fourtrak 2.8 TDX
Rusty bits, well had the rear load bay/wheel arch seams areas replaced, inner sills, seat belt area outer sills replaced/plated, both sides, apart from those nothing has requiresd replacement as per bodywork, but have not looked under plastic wheel arch extensions ?? ,replaced springs,shocks, no engine repairs,except for heater plugs, thermostat, cambelt, fan belt.power steering belt,tappet/valve adjustment, front wheel bearing renewed, replaced auto front hubs with mechanical ones as auto ones not reliable with age, syncro rings on way out in gearbox (2nd gear).Replaced drivers door hinges. For age and milage (clock + 60 thou) quite happy with the old girl (She's called Chunky) . Serviced at the recomemned intervals. and I run a 50/50 veg oil mix .
Edward (ews) '92 Fourtrak 2.8 TDX
You will love the Fourtrak.
You will love the Fourtrak. We do and would seriously consider another when the time comes. We can now enjoy driving a 4x4 instead of mending it, spot the ex Landrover owner! They are very versitile and have more capacity than we first thought (a trip to Ikea confirmed that) As for the engines, brilliant they are serious workhorses, just watch the speed! Shame the bodywork lets them down.
Dinky
Dinky