Newbie need advice on buying Rocky Turbo Diesel

[Damo4x4]

Just need to know the kind of fuel economy I should expect from the
2.8 TD. Either looking at getting a Rocky, a Feroza or a Sierra. The size of the Rocky will suit the family better (it's a 2nd car), but im a bit worried about the running costs, ie: fuel and repairs and durability. Any help would be much appreciated.

[murcod]

Being a diesel turbo I imagine the fuel economy of the Rocky would be very similar to, if not better than the Feroza. Diesel engines are more economical, and turbo charging can actually make a diesel more fuel efficient. My father inlaw recently turbo charged his 4.2 diesel Patrol and says he is now using less fuel on average, with a lot more power available when needed.

Diesels also have a reputation for lasting a lot longer than a petrol engine before major repairs are needed ( provided they are mantianed properly of course!)

For a family I'd say the Rocky would be better as you can fit next to nothing behind the rear seats in a Feroza.

[Tasrocky]

I can recommend the Rocky for both fuel economy and size.

Most fortnights I can get between 400 & 450 k's to a tank and a tank is only about $40 to fill. Mine is non-turbo so I presume the turbo option would be more more economical and would have the badly needed power that I don't have. Sadly I have a top speed of 120 if really pushed that is my only complaint but I should expect that from a diesel.

As for size there is plenty of room behind the back seat when it is unfolded, there is about a foot between the top of the seat and the back door, with more on the floor.

Any mechanic should be able to fix the engine if anything happens because it is just a Hi-Lux motor, so parts should be fairly easy to get hold of.

[RockyMan]

Ok
Is this the model with leaf springs all round or front IFS and coil
on the back?
If you can afford it go for later one , a lot more comfortable.
fuel usage on highway on avarage -9l/100km
towing large Jayco campertrailer -12l-13/100km
around town you get 10l/100km.
Downside is the small Fuel tank - only 60l which is a pain
while towing and your range drops down to 300-320km.
Hope this helps.

Finding accesorries for them could be a problem , but that's
when forum like this is handy.

Andrew

[BundyRumandCoke]

Damo,
Ive replied to your email to me regards economy. Differences between earlier and later Diesel Rockys include, larger rear seats, better for sitting on, but take up more cargo space, later diesel motors, with turbos then intercooled turbos fitted. Earlier were all leaf sprung, later have IFS (less articulation in my opinion) check out http://groups.msn.com/AussieDaihatsuRocky under Davids Rocky album for what can be done with leaf springs. Better fuel range can be got by rerouting the exhaust system over the front of the rear drive shaft, then out the right rear, and using the normal muffler area for a second fuel tank. This is what i did, and found another tank that fitted, (dunno what its out of) and upped my fuel capacity to around 120 litres. I believe long ranger makes a larger capacity fuel tank for the Rockys.
Cargo space can be assisted by fitting a false floor behind rear seats, at rear sill level, then a cargo barrier behind and above the rear seat. You will find 4 threaded bolt holes in the side panel work between the rear side windows, and the upholstered side panels. They will have plastic plugs in them. This is what I used to mount the home designed and built false floor and cargo barrier. Put it this way, with creative packing, my wife, 2 girls, and I have done a 4 week camping trip away up north, with about 2 weeks around the Palmer River Goldfields/Lakefield National Park/Cape Melville area, running 2 fridges, with nothing outside the car except a spare tyre carcass on roof rack, and 20 litre jerrycan and 4.5kg gas bottle on rear step. Its a bit tight, but can be done. Also very numerous shorter trips have been done.
Hope this all helps
Cheers
David