Small 4wd?????

Post by **Kell** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:20 pm

Hi I am new to this site and to 4wd. I am looking to get a small 4wd that I can do basic to moderate driving in. I will be doing some modifications to it (only basic). I am looking at getting either a Suzuki or Diahatsu and was just wondering what the differences were between the 2 and your opinions on which one would be best. I also do a lot of highway driving so comfort is a must. Thanks.

Post by **Ferwoaza** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:26 pm

Go Suzuki, you can buy most mods off the shelf.

No-one made anything for Daihatsu's other than the basic suspension lift.

With Suzuki's you can get lockers, lower gears, lifts etc etc etc...

Still...I like my Feroza, it's a bit different from the norm

Post by **Area54** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:26 pm

I would stick to the suzuki range - they have a larger range of aftermarket gear available off the shelf, this makes the future mods a whole lot easier. With the zooks you can choose between the Sierra, Vitara, or the Jimny, all depending on your budget, and how big you want the vehicle.

Post by **ISUZUROVER** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:50 pm

Yes but don't forget, you can get a daihatsu rocky with that great 2.8l na diesel - great torque and good economy. Depends what you are after - i.e. depends how hardcore you want to go with the mods. If it is just a lift and bigger/better tyres (and maybe a locker) then go the daihatsu.

Post by **bogged** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 1:51 pm

I also do a lot of highway driving so comfort is a must.

This will be something that goes against early Zooks, the ride is .. average.. Later model Zooks are a different thing, but so is the $$$

Test drive everything in your price range is the only way to fly..What budget are you working on and sort of driving (mud, firetrails, etc, or rock etc) will make it easier to figure out.

Post by **Kell** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 2:21 pm

Ok well first of all I have $10,000.00 to spend and I want to be able to do a fair bit of 4wd. Firetrials, Landcruiser Park, the beach, nothing hardcore though. I want to be able to get air con and power steering in it and I wouldn't mind a diesel but that doesn't matter I dont' mind what type of fuel it takes. Something that has good highway fuel consumption to would be great (I do about 120km a day)

Post by **N*A*M** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 2:37 pm

although suzuki's and daihatsu's get grouped together, i would say they are both markedly different. the daihatsu's are more like small hiluxes and they share some commonalities with some toyota's. the suzuki's are smaller and more lightweight. they have smaller engines and lighter duty running gear.

i would go leaf sprung suzuki sierra but i am biased. save your money on initial purchase price, and do it up!

for:
- cheap
- lots of go-good stuff off the shelf
- soft top
- light weight
- small exterior dimensions

against:
- small internal space
- slow
- noisy
- stiff ride with stock suspension

my g/f is now thinking of getting a fourby... she's thinking gq patrol or landcruiser! :crazyeyes:

Post by **bogged** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 2:40 pm

N*A*M wrote:my g/f is now thinking of getting a fourby... she's thinking gq patrol or landcruiser!

She is too good for you NAM.. :cool:

Post by **purefmx** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 3:10 pm

QLDGAL wrote:small 4wd that I can do basic to moderate driving in. I will be doing some modifications to it (only basic). I also do a lot of highway driving so comfort is a must. Thanks.

The Suzuki is a definate no for highway driving and comfort compared to the Diahatsu. I'd stick with the Daihatsu according to what you want. Suzuki has many more options available for mods, however the sacrifice of comfort maybe a bad thing if you only wish to be basic with your modifications

Post by **Kell** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 3:35 pm

Thanks guys for the feedback! What kind of suspension do both types have? Do they come with coils or leaf? Also are both types IFS? Do both types perform as well as the other?

Post by **-Mick-** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 3:41 pm

Thanks guys for the feedback! What kind of suspension do both types have? Do they come with coils or leaf? Also are both types IFS? Do both types perform as well as the other?

Daihatsu has leaf rear ifs front by torsion bar (different kind of spring). Suzukis........ well depends on model and year but pre 96 sierra all leaf, post 96 all coils and vitaras different again.

I'm selling my feroza (97 SXII 113000k) because my 4wheelin priorities have changed. Check your PM's

Post by **Thor** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:41 pm

also i think it's worth adding that it's not always what you have, but how you use it. a 4x4 course could go a long way... especially with a stock vehicle.

Post by **Area54** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:51 pm

You could also test drive a SWB pajero (not too sure on the model designation - mitsi guys, the second generation - the same as redrocket's)

V6 motor, or turbodiesel, prolly come into the price range also.

Post by **Kell** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 4:54 pm

Thor wrote:also i think it's worth adding that it's not always what you have, but how you use it. a 4x4 course could go a long way... especially with a stock vehicle.

I intend on doing one of these before I go out anywhere. I am not about to go out there claiming that I know everything about 4wding. My cousin and I are going to go and do a course together, maybe show the boys up when we are finished :lol:

I hadn't even thought about the pajero's. I have seen a few around but never really thought. Are they any good? I have always heard of mitsubishi's being pretty crappy.

Post by **Area54** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 5:01 pm

Sometimes a vehicle can get a bad rap from people who may have had bad experiences - the vehicle's service history may have been poor. Any vehicle can have problems, I don't think the Mitsi would be any worse than any other make on the road (or trail). Like any rig, get it checked thoroughly prior to purchase. Plenty of guys from this site wheel in the Paj - pm Bitsamissin if you need any model specific info.

Post by **robbie** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 6:55 pm

get a bundy! :cool:

Post by **RUFF** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 7:46 pm

robbie wrote:get a bundy!

Yeah i would have to Agrea on this. A Turbo Deisel Bundera would be a good start. Coil Sprung,Turbo Deisel, Reliable Running Gear, Comfortable on road and Very Capable Offroad.

You should be able to find a Bundera for under $10K and still have some $$ left over to do some mods.

These are some pics of BundyBoys new Bundera. I think he just paid around $7000 for it and it looks like a real clean unit.
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... php?t=8171

Post by **Beastmavster** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 7:54 pm

QLDGAL wrote:Hi I am new to this site and to 4wd. I am looking to get a small 4wd that I can do basic to moderate driving in. I will be doing some modifications to it (only basic). I am looking at getting either a Suzuki or Diahatsu and was just wondering what the differences were between the 2 and your opinions on which one would be best. I also do a lot of highway driving so comfort is a must. Thanks.

I'm biased but out of those options the Vitara is what you want.....

The Diahatsu's are probably slightly better offroad in stock form than the Vitara (thanks to more powerful EFI engine) but far more limited for mods.

The sierra is too uncomforatble and getting long in the tooth, but is the hardcore option.

A lightly modded Vitara can do enough to put a lot of bigger 4wd's in their place. It won't match a Sierra with the same mods but will kill a Feroza with similar mods.

Post by **POS** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 9:46 pm

Out of all the options so far, you would be a mile in front if you opted for the Bundy!

Good Off-road, Good on the hwy and easy to mod!

It has a LIVE AXLE front end which is slightly better than the iFS (Bring on the IFS V's Live axle Flamming :lol:

)

It has heaps more room than a Suzuki!

Also some suzukis come in the soft top, which looks cool but if you are using it for everyday use than it is very easy to break into!

The 4WD course is a great place to start, Billabong Off-road (near LCMP) is one of the better ones!

Post by **N*A*M** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 10:46 pm

now that a bundy has been suggested, i would consider one of those. they go great off and on road. they don't need much work to fit 35s. just find a good runner with no rust and you'll be golden.

Post by **Kell** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 8:18 am

Now I have to many options hehe. I have to agree the Bundy's are a nice looking car have a cousin who has one that has all the mods (lockers front and rear, big tyres...the works) so I will definately look into that as well. You guys have been so much help I really thank you for you input. This gives me about 4 or 5 cars that I can go and have a bit of a sticky beak at on the weekend before I go and so some serious shopping!

Post by **robbie** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 8:32 am

oh by the way, mine is stock and to make 34x11.5" Simex Jungle Trekker 2's fit, all I did was beat the shit out of the rear guards with an axe (coudln't find a hammer @ 9pm before we went out) :rofl:

they are a great rig stock..

Post by **robbie** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 8:34 am

and if you're buying a bundy, dont rush into it as there are lots of shit ones out there..

look for rust in the rear guards, behind the bumper, in the rear windows, under the windscreen, in the door jams and on the firewall..

try get the LX model if you go for a bundy.. not much else I can think of, but happy hunting!

Post by **Kell** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 11:47 am

Has anyone had any problems with IFS in the suzukis or the diahatsus? I am just a bit wary about IFS.

Post by **N*A*M** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:08 pm

http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modul ... php?t=7978

Post by **-Mick-** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:16 pm

Has anyone had any problems with IFS in the suzukis or the diahatsus? I am just a bit wary about IFS.

All depends what you want to do with it. IFS is good on the beach and fast dirt but poor in the real rough stuff. Decide what sort of wheeling you'll do and go from there.
I don't know about vitaras but the daihatsu ifs is rugged and can take a fair beating. I knew a guy with a 93 roza and he flogged it for years, suspension never needed more than some bushes. Don't be put off by ifs just realise its limits and decide if that suits

Post by **antt** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:17 pm

flex is overrated, just double lock it and you'll be right :twisted:

Post by **Mav Chick** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:40 pm

I used to own a RJ70 Bundera, it was a great car, comfortable on the road but offroad I found it very unstable especially when I was running 35" BFG's under it (no body lift). Be very cafeful when buying one though because if something does go wrong with a Bundera parts & panels can be hard and expensive to find. I had a 8t Hino Truck run into me one day at the lights, it took 6 weeks to get a bonnet from Japan to fix it, at the time couldn't find one in the country.

Post by **-Mick-** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 12:42 pm

Mav Chick got any pics of your rig, sounds cool

Website · Post by **murcod** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 1:07 pm

QldGal there was a review on second hand Ferozas in 4WD Monthly about two issues back. (Just ignore the bit about being able to raise the IFS by 4" easily.... :lol:

.... 2" is probably a bit more realistic!) They are built very tough, some of the other owners on here can testify to that.

I was looking at Ferozas and Vitaras, but found Feroza's were cheaper and better appointed for the money. Also, with Ferozas the fibreglass roof can be removed to make it a convertible without the worries of someone breaking in through a soft top.

As has already been mentioned aftermarket parts are virtually non existant in the way of lockers etc. Suspension lifts aren't a problem, it all depends on how much you want to mod it. Engine parts are available eg extractors.

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