Forum:
I currently have a '91 Fourtrak TDX long wheelbase which i use for offroading. I havent had it very long but to be honest im a bit disappointed with its performance offroad.
My previous offroader was a Sportrak and that was unstoppable. All i did was put some MT tyres on it and it would go anywhere.
My question is... would the Fourtrak short wheelbase be as good as the sportrak offroad?
Anyone have the wheelbase sizes of the Sportrak and SWB fourtrak?
Also, does the roof come off the SWB fourtrak as it does on the sporty?
Thanks for your help.
Rich
The Sporti is an 85"
The Sporti is an 85" wheelbase. The SWB 4trak is 88".
The roof on a SWB trak is hard (metal) or soft (Canvas) top. Not removable plastic like the Sporti and LWB 4trak.
I think the SWB and the Sporti are equally as good in diffrent areas. The Sporti is smaller. The SWB will take larger wheels (better ground clearence) without modifications. Is the 4trak an Indipendent or leaf sprung?
In tighter woodland or such, the Sporti's smaller size will get you places the trak will just not fit. On more open ground the 4trak will plaugh trough more rutted ground than the Sporti can manage, and (if it's the Diesel) deeper water is of little conciquence.
The best all rounder is an F50, retrofitted with a late intercooled 2.8 terbo lump (F60). But those (in a condition worth having) are hens teeth these days.
It all depends what you want, and what you prefure. Personally I would like a SWB Indipendent, as a good all rounder (off road, car and tow vehicle). But that's out of my price range. So I drive a Sporti. It does the job.
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.
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.
Derv V Petrol
Sporti's are a lighter version of the fourtrak, these are not as durable in extreme conditions, but being a Daihatsu, competent and durable off roaders.
F70, and F80 wheelbases are 86.8"
F75, and F85 wheelbases are 99.6"
F77, and F87 wheelbases are 110.2"
Ground clearance on all models are 8.3", except the F77, F87 which are 8.9".
Being lighter gives the sporti an advantage in certain conditions, but the petrol engine lets it down in heavy going, the Fourtraks diesel thumper gets going in the heavier stuff, as well as providing a much heavier towing weight of 3500Kg.
Modifications are easier on a Fourtrak due to their simplicity, basic diesel engine, and greater numbers, as well as longer life. Good Fourtraks are getting harder to find as most have led a very hard life, usually in an extreme environment. Sporties are by comparison, much easier to find in good condition as most were bought as fashion accessories during the four wheel drive's reign as the fashion accessory to have. many were only used on road, and well maintained as they never worked in the way in which they could.