Newbie looking at buying a Feroza...

[murcod]

Hi all,

I'm looking at buying an early model Feroza and was wondering if there are any problems I should look out for? (Looking at spending up to $8000- so I appear to be limited to the late '80s, early '90s models)

Also what differences are there in the models?

Thanks for any help.

[Ferwoaza]

Things I can think of, make sure you give it a real good test drive. If you hear a whistling noise, you'll have to replace the muffler to get rid of it. It's not a problem, but gets annoying after a while. Also see if you can hear the engine pinging, quite a few Feroza's have to be switched to premium unleaded to stop the pinging.

Make sure you test drive it in 4wd somewhere (dont' do it on bitumen, find a dirt road). Make sure all wheels turn (you'll most likely have to lock the front hubs in and put it into 4wd). The front diff is a weakness in the Feroza, best to make sure it's all in order as it's not normally used on the road.

If your going hardcore offroad you may want to think whether a Feroza is going to meet your needs. Aftermarket modifications are pretty non-existant and the IFS up front limits travel, that said, they do go well and suprise a few people out there

There are two basic models, narrow track and the SXII (or older SXPII) which is the Wide track. Wide track is a lot more stable, especially when you lift it.

Check it moves through the gears smoothly, and shifts into different 4wd modes smoothly. Gearboxes and transfer cases are very expensive to replace. Get a pro to check out the car/engine as well (NRMA in NSW Australia) to make doubly sure.

Also, the car should idle smoothly at around 800-900rpm.

All I can think of right now...

[Wooders]

The feroza is a top little truck. I had one before the Jeep sickness took over....
Firstly check back issues of 4wd Monthly they did a feature, about 9months ago on 2nd hand Ferozas.
Now I'm not sure what whistleing noise Murray was talking about, but my old Feroza used to whistle like a worker in a hive of queens....It was the tranny!! Now my Feroza had about 160,000km on the clock when I got it, and it was just starting to develop this noise - by the time I was rid of it at about 240,000km it was beyond audible.....
It would occur in every gear except 4th......
If you get this, I suggest you keep looking.....Although it will not be immediately terminal, it will be expensive to fix....

[redzook]

my dad has just brought a feroza
1990 model only paid $5000

so u might be able to get 1 for a little cheaper then $8000

[murcod]

Thanks for the info guys

The prices here in Adelaide seem to be a bit higher. So far the best option is looking like as '89 model with aircon and 149000km for $6990 from a dealer. I haven't actually been to look at it yet though.

Another question- is the Feroza II the wide track version? Is it just a matter of flared arches and different offset wheels being the difference, or is the suspension totally different?

I'm not planning on doing any serious four wheel driving, it's just a fun vehicle to drive to work and maybe go adventuring in on weekends.

[M&M Custom Engineerin]

I'm not planning on doing any serious four wheel driving, it's just a fun vehicle to drive to work and maybe go adventuring in on weekends.

I have heard that before. Dont worry, the bug will bight!

*EDIT*i think i light of all this crap about me being an asshole i thought i should clarify this statement in case it was taken the wrong way.

What i implied was that he said it only wanted something to drive to work and a little bit of weekend adventuring but dont worry he will soon want to put a solid axle swap, lockers, 33's etc etc etc.

I was in no way putting shit on buying a feroza.

[*BESTY*]

I can highly recommend the wide track Feroza.......but I can also highly recommend you modify it for off road playing !!!

[Ferwoaza]

I'm pretty sure the Feroza II is the widetrack, but don't quote me on that If you want good comparisons between models, go to www.redbook.com.au awesome info there

The widetrack has a wider track, so rear axle is wider and front CV's longer, the wheel arches are there because of this. Wheel offset is identical.

[murcod]

Redbook was actually where I was looking . Pity it doesn't explain a bit more about the different models though!

One more question- went out and test drove a '92 ELIII today (162000km). It was in excellent condition, but there was a "grating" type noise from the gearbox in first and second gear under full throttle between 5000-6000RPM. To me it sounded like the gearbox was on the way out (?)- has anyone got any other ideas?

A small amount of gearbox input bearing (?) noise was evident when in neutral and letting the clutch in and out too. Pity because it was in unbelieveable condition, all the others were dogs or over priced.

[Ferwoaza]

Hmmm...that sound doesn't sound promising (pun

I know there are some big parts dealers for Daihatsu in Adelaide...you could always price a replacement gearbox and see if it's worth the cost of maybe replacing it down the line if you purchase this truck and it gets worse...

[murcod]

Yes, that thought crossed my mind. The dealer reckons he'll get his mechanic to check it out and get back to me....

I'll wait and see what happens and get the RAA to inspect it properly if I get really serious.

There's another Feroza for sale privately, a Feroza II from memory, but it's black/silver. I'm not real keen on a black paint job! Might check it out too though as they live just near me and it sounds good (low k's, bull bar etc.)

[RUFF]

Be cautious when a dealer says he will get his mechanic to check it.

I used to be one of these Mechanics that dealers use and i did a lot of stuff to vehicles that should never have realy been done. Nothing dangerous just stuff like a product called Molybond which quitens down gear noise quite a lot.A tube of this in a noisy gearbox or diff and you would never know.For a few weeks anyway.Also fixed many blown headgaskits with a can of chemi weld. These were all done under instruction from customers. It just happens that these customers were also selling the vehicle in a car yard.

If you want someone to look at it take it elsewhere and dont mention where its from or that you are looking at buying it. Tell the mechanic you have a noise and could he have a look. He will usually check it out and because he wants your work he will tell you what is wrong with it.
If he thinks you are buying it and you are just after a second opinion he will prob tell you its fine because he knows how the system works.

THE SYSTEM

Dealer buys car.
Dealer wants to sell car.
Mechanic wants the work.
Mechanic does what the dealer wants weather its right or wrong.
If mechanic doesnt his business goes arse up cause without Car yards constant work is real hard to find.

So always be carefull and i dont trust the opinions of RACQ or RAA or any of the other companies that do the so called pre perchase inspections.Most dont have a clue what they are looking at.

[drunkenperformance]

Heres an interesting one tony...mate bought a 4runner 2.4 had it inspected
and said a small amount of blowby was ok...but didnt check the boost etc
GUESS WHAT..it had 1.5lb, been wound down to it wouldnt blow !...that was done by a large group!.

Back to the feroza thing...GEAR BOX...in the early models the gear boxs are not that strong...i had an Ex Australian Safari feroze, which copped a bit more work..they are a good little unit...

[murcod]

Thanks for the tips again.

Any idea after which year the gearboxes were improved? Has anyone had to replace their gearbox- I guess there would be Jap import boxes available too??

[*BESTY*]

From what I've done to mine (pre conversion) the gearbox and tranny are v-hard to break !

But then again.....as most Feroza drivers find.....it ain't no good for Rockcrawling.....33:1 or something ?? Not low enough and noone makes lower gearsets ....YET. I think Murray is going to get someone to make some lower gearsets for the T-case...but needs spare ones !!

BTW....My Feroza originally came from Adelaide (VTA-266) bought it down South Road back in 1994.


BEWARE THE DEALER !!

[murcod]

The salesman came back to me and said " ..we took it for a drive and the manager said we will warrant it for the three month period ... they are not meant to be driven like that..." What a joke!

They didn't deny there was a noise, nor actually say there isn't a problem! Anyway I offered $500 less than the price on it with no trade in and they refused the offer! I wouldn't have bothered with it only the condition of it is so good (interior as new, exterior very good).

One other problem I found was the front left wheel will move 1-2cms in/out when wobbled at the top. It's not the suspension bushes, but appears to be something like the wheel bearings or free wheeling hub assembly- is this a common problem?

[*BESTY*]

Look for another Feroza......it's sounds like they don't want to sell that one.

Maybe the noise was a Thrust Bearing.....I did chew through a couple of standard clutches....NOT ENOUGH low range.....had to ride the clutch a bit to get places.

[maagster]

That wheel movement is the idler arm bushes are warn. I know where you can get replacement bushes for around $20, only other option from Daihatsu is to replace the entire arm...spending $350 on the part!!!!

Only downside to getting the bushes is you have to fix it yourself

[murcod]

Thanks for all your help everyone- I bought that '92 ELIII today.

They are fixing the problem with the wheel, and the gearbox noise could just have been tools rattling around (which I found under the passenger seat a few days later). But as long as I get at least 18 mths out of the current box I'll be happy. I'll also get an excellent mechanic I know to go over it while it's under warranty.

By the way, a replacement new gearbox with transfer case is around $3800 from Daihatsu- just incase anyone was curious...

Will post some pics when I pick it up on the 18th.

[*BESTY*]

By the way, a replacement new gearbox with transfer case is around $3800 from Daihatsu- just incase anyone was curious...

So far the best option is looking like as '89 model with aircon and 149000km for $6990 from a dealer.

SO......more than 50% of the value of the car

Hope ya don't need to replace it !!



Congrats on purchasing a Feroza

[murcod]

Yeah, it's a risk I'm willing to take (the gearbox). No doubt there would be Jap import gearboxes available anyway and I'll worry about that if it happens. I did take it into consideration when making the decision.

The one I bought was dearer than the $6990 '89 DX model. After looking at the ELIII, the DX looked, well, very plain inside and out.... There were dearer ELIII's around (by over $1000!) that were crap in comparison to mine. A widetrack would have been nice, but I've only bought it as a second vehicle to drive to work and have fun in on weekends.

The interior on the one I've bought looks brand new, even the carpets have very little wear. I think it's been repsrayed at some stage but it's a good paint job and there are no dents etc. Underneath it looks brand new too (apart from a dodgey exhaust repair )- I doubt if it's ever left the bitumen.

[Ferwoaza]

You'll be able to either get it reconditioned or get a 2nd hand one for a fair bit cheaper than that! I know one guy in Sydney who had it rebuilt for around $1000.