So this got me thinking...you can find Rockys around for real cheap...so last night and today (it's friday hehe) I've been putting together what I reckon could be a cheap, powerful, and capable Rocky...
Base Vehicle : ~84/85 Daihatsu Rocky SWB with removable rear hard top.
Engine : Rover 3.5L V8
Gearbox/Xfer : Hilux. Pretty sure this can be done with fairly cheap adapters.
Axles : Not too sure on this point, but think swapping in Hilux ones would be a good idea for ratio's and lockers. Even better (few more $$ tho) swap in an IFS rear end and chuck in an IFS widening kit on a hilux front end to get width back out to 58 inches.
Do an SPOA, either keep the Rocky springs, or mod to put longer ones in (YJ? Toy?) maybe even slightly lifted springs. 5.29 R&Ps would be nice. With 2" Backspaced wheels your gunna be WIDE! but stable.
Driveshafts : Hilux ones cut/lenghtened as need to suit.
Rockcrawler gears for the Xfer case. You won't have the length for dual case in a SWB but if you went a LWB then that might be the way to go.
Rap it up with 35" Tyres, guards cut to fit, but with SPOA dunno if much would be needed..
I think this would be one capable beast. Grunt to go, low range, locked, clearence, flex to boot, decent wheelbase and pretty bullet proof.
Cost would depend on base vehicle could find body/chassis from junk cheap, or buy a running rig and sell the drive train as spares...still pretty damm cheap. Only fabbing would be for engine/gearbox/xfer and SPOA/shocks.
Thoughts? Ideas? Should I go back to drinking now? heheheh
