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Feroza newbie questions

Tech Talk for Ford, Mazda, Daihatsu & Makes that currently dont have a home.

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Feroza newbie questions

Post by Doates »

Hey all,

I am looking at buying a feroza in the near future and have a couple of questions.

What are the main differences btw the widetrack and narrowtrack? Does the widetrack have a big advantage over the narrow? Any problems lifting the narrowtrack?

Looking at buying around a 1989 model. Any problems to look out for in particular?

Anyone know what model this one is?
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/hotlists/photo_display2.asp?ID=Y12749417_30W&publication=Y&page=http://www.tradingpost.com.au/hotlists/clients/photo_hotlist/photo_hotlist.asp&hotlistid=S633&publication=Y+&hotlistpublication=56&client_name=The+Van+Man+Blacktown

Ok, thats enough questions for now

Thanks all

Doates
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JD
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Post by JD »

Hi Doates,
My 91 narrow track has the same paint lines and grill as the one in the link. Cant help with the difference between the two track versions except for the obvious rollover factor. I spent a lot of time researching before I bought mine, nothing obvious comes to light, do your normal pre car buying checks and part with your cash, do make sure you drive it in 4WD on dirt not tar.
regards

John
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newbie answer

Post by Mark Hoult »

Doates,

Imo the wide track would be the better option. The picture is a narrow track and from memory the wide track started coming out in 1992, sombody correct me if I'm wrong.

There isn't any difference in lifting and or raising a narrow or wide track as I've done both and its just the same.

If you are going to be doing decent off roading then the wide would be better but for the average person who wants to just take it out 4wding with the kiddies etc then the narrow would suffice.

Cheers

Mark Hoult.
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Post by murcod »

Hello Doates,

What Mark said is right, the Feroza II or widetrack came out in '92. I've got a narrow track and haven't found any problems with it off road for the light 4wding I do. I haven't driven a wide track, so can't comment on how much better they are.

As far as problems go here are some I know of: exhaust manifolds cracking- very common but hard to pick up unless you remove the manifold cover (extractors are around $200-$300); and the power steering pump pulley coming loose. If it's got aircon give it a good test too, mine works for about 10 minutes and then cuts out....tested it before I bought it and didn't pick that up. :bad-words: Here in SA aircon isn't covered under the dealer warranty either!

Check them all over underneath in particular. When I was looking for mine six months ago most of them seemed to fall into two categories: relentlessly caned off road (dented sills, branches caught underneath etc.) or used entirely for highway work and hardly used off road. The front guard under the radiator and front diff housing is also a good spot to check for how much off road work has been done.

There is a noticeable difference between say a DX model (base model) and the ELII/ELIII in specs (particularly interior trim) but the price won't be much different.
David
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Post by Ferwoaza »

If your going to do a mild lift, say 2" suspension only, shouldn't really matter if you go narrow or wide track. If your going to go the 2" body lift and 31s down the road..seriously consider a widetrack. Narrows just seem too tippy at that height for me. It's nice knowing my track width is 3" wider than a hilux :cool:
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Post by Doates »

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'd like to go with the widetrack, but don't really want to spend that many $$ at this stage. Won't be used for "serious" 4wd'ing as I am just new to the game and so don't have the skills as yet for the more difficult driving as yet anyways.

Are they expensive to lift? Do you find much of aperformance difference in them after fittng ram pod, extractors, exhaust change?

Thanks again

Doates
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Post by Ferwoaza »

Extractors and rampod made a nice difference to me, really like it and am happy with the $$ I spent to do it.

2-2.5" Suspension lifts go around $1200 complete I think....best to shop around. Then you have to factor in larger tyres....could add around another $900.

Oh...and once you start offroad...you'll never go back :cool:
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Post by Doates »

hmmm, I wonder if I can put 31s on old my ford laser kf ;)
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Post by murcod »

Doates wrote:hmmm, I wonder if I can put 31s on old my ford laser kf ;)


Haven't got the TX3 4wd turbo by any chance have you? Best car I ever owned :twisted: Some of the things I got away with in that!
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Post by *BESTY* »

Doates wrote:hmmm, I wonder if I can put 31s on old my ford laser kf ;)



ANYTHING is possible :twisted: :twisted:

Might just need to trim your guards a bit.....don't think you can body lift a Laser (Monocoque Chassis), but you might be able to get a couple of centimetres lift from the suspension.

The Narrow track Feroza you're looking at is a really good option for a first 4WD......you can do simple mods yourself :
    Suspension - wind Torsion bars, make longer shackles for the rear
    Bodylift - 2" height
    Bigger Tyres (31's)
    Get your diff welded or buy an LSD for the rear diff.


The list goes on !!

I wouldn't advise it if you want to go serious off-road (like mine) as it just gets too costly and a Suzuki or Hilux (with solid front) would be a better option.

Remember.....once you get the taste for 4WDing.....you'll never go back to standard cars !! It gets in your blood :twisted: :twisted:
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Post by Doates »

Good advice. I will probably be better served holding off for a while, saving a few extra dollars and going for a widetrack....Or I could get that cheapo suzuki sierra and lift it ;)

Where you thinking vitara by suzuki? Do they have a wider track that the feroza narrowtrack?


Doates
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Post by murcod »

Vitara's have IFS like the Feroza, so would be not much different off road. I know they sit a lot lower (roof height wise) than my Feroza, but I'm not sure how they compare for ground clearance. There are more aftermarket accesssories available for them though.....

Vitaras will generally cost more second hand than a Feroza - or least seemed to when I was looking. Supposedly the Feroza is built stronger. The early Vitaras only had carby engines (less power), whereas all Oz Ferozas come with EFI. The Feroza gives you the versatility of a removeable hard top, Vitara's are soft top or hard top only.

The Sierras have solid axles front and rear, so are better standard off road- that's what Ferozius was hinting at.

Personally, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the abilities of a narrow track Feroza- especially if you are new to 4wding.
David
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Post by Doates »

I suppose I just need to get back to basics on what I want out of a 4wd. For me it would be my day to day drive. I do a lot of camping and so would be using it a lot for that. I like the idea of being able to load up the 4wd and head off for the weekend on tracks that cars normaly wouldn't be able to get to.

Also would use it for light touring. A cple of people heading off to frazer island or north queensland or heading around tasmania for example.

So thinking on it, the feroza would probably do the job nicely. Have to question if I would even need to do a body/suspension lift really?

Anyone built storage systems into the back of their Feroza's?

Anyone had to replace engine/gearbox or anything else major like that in them? Expensive?

Can anyone recommend some day trip/weekend tracks in the sydney area that a novice would find worth tackling?

Thanks heaps guys. You're a great source of info.

Doates
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Post by murcod »

If you want to carry more than one passenger and go camping (ie leave the rear seats in) then you definitetly won't have enough luggage space in the back of a Feroza! That's why I bought the luggage pod for mine (see avatar pic). But if you don't need the rear seats then you'll have stacks of room once you rip them out.

Larger off road tread tyres would improve the off road ability, but I've had no problems with mine so far with standard highway type tyres doing light off road stuff (mud , creek crossings etc)

I think it was Murray who had some drawers built into the back of his Feroza- he was going to put some pics up :idea: (We're still waiting!!) :idea:

The gearbox on mine (a '92 ELIII with 165000km) is a bit noisey, but the previous owner only appears to have changed the engine oil and timing belt. The oil in it was black! Driving it on a cold day (perfect weather at the moment) will show that up any probs from a cold start- any grating when changing up or down gears is of course a bad sign. I've "fixed" mine by using a 50/50 mix of gearbox oil and auto trans fluid (DexronIII). A new gearbox and transfer case is under $3000 new from Daihatsu; rebuilds a lot cheaper from what I've been told.

The engines are very reliable, from what I've heard, and last well providing the radiator and coolant is maintained. Mine only uses a small amount of oil. There's no common faults with them that I'm aware of (apart from detonation in hot weather..... :roll: )

A few people (who shall remain nameless :lol: ) have even rolled their Ferozas with very little damage done. That proves they are built well.
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Post by *BESTY* »

murcod wrote:A few people (who shall remain nameless :lol: ) have even rolled their Ferozas with very little damage done. That proves they are built well.


Who could you be possibly talking about :?: :?: :twisted: ;)
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Post by murcod »

Ferozius wrote:
murcod wrote:A few people (who shall remain nameless :lol: ) have even rolled their Ferozas with very little damage done. That proves they are built well.


Who could you be possibly talking about :?: :?: :twisted: ;)


Don't know. I wouldn't want to point the finger at anyone....

So how much are new rear windows Besty? Or did you find some at a wrecker? :D
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Post by Ferwoaza »

Yep, I've got Mikes old cargo setup in the rear.

PC still dead so camera no go..have run out of funds to fix PC!! doh..

Going to play around this weekend see what I can do.
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Post by *BESTY* »

murcod wrote:
Ferozius wrote:
murcod wrote:A few people (who shall remain nameless :lol: ) have even rolled their Ferozas with very little damage done. That proves they are built well.


Who could you be possibly talking about :?: :?: :twisted: ;)


Don't know. I wouldn't want to point the finger at anyone....

So how much are new rear windows Besty? Or did you find some at a wrecker? :D


NAH !

On BJ's Night Drive, I smashed the rear window. :oops: :bad-words:
Therefore that makes 4 out of 6 windows that need replacing. I think I might just go for the soft-top instead ;)
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Post by Ferwoaza »

Hope you got big nut warmers mate...or at least vent some of that engine heat incab :lol: :finger:
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Post by *BESTY* »

Engine heat................Mmmmmmmmmmm.....warmth :finger:

Was pretty cold on Tuesday night (Just ask BJ) :finger:
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Post by Ferwoaza »

Got to -1 where we live the other night :shock: this is ment to be QLD FFS!!
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Post by murcod »

Someone actually had a soft top to suit a Feroza for sale in the Trader here in Adelaide a few weeks back..... should have bought it for you Besty! :D
David
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Post by *BESTY* »

murcod wrote:Someone actually had a soft top to suit a Feroza for sale in the Trader here in Adelaide a few weeks back..... should have bought it for you Besty! :D


I think Marco or BURLZ has one for sale......for ME :D
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