Strong desert tourer-Daihatsu vs Suzuki

[ayashko]

Hi all. New to this forum, but it seems to be the best place to get ideas/answers...
I'm planning on travelling for around a year through outback Australia, leaving early/mid 2006. Have done this many times before, originally in other 4wd's (hilux's and landcruisers) but more recently on off-road bikes - a KTM 640 Adv, and now a KTM 950 (which I am thiiiiinking of maybe selling )
I've modded most of my cars before, so am familiar with that side of things, but am now looking to buy a small 4wd, for many reasons (dog, partner, camera gear etc)
Ok, the questions.
I don't want a large car aka 'cruiser, and all mid size 4wd's seem pretty crappy ie; soft roader...
My choices seem to have narrowed down to a few vehicles, on which I'll give my impressions - gleaned from many hours on this and other forums.
Firstly, I should say that it obviously is impossible to give definitive advice, so what i would greatly appreciate would be frank, objective views and opinions on what would be the better car...thanks
1) Feroza
+'s : a reputation for a solid build ie tough
+'s : good size (a bit on the small side - is there a lwb version?)
+'s : good motors (??)

-'s : IFS!
-'s : light weight
-'s : did i say IFS?

2) Rocky
as above, though more room inside, turbo diesel (if you can find them), a lot heavier though.

3) Suzuki Vitara/Jimny/Sierra
Same again, but the track is a bit of a worry, bigger motor in the vitara, supposedly tough, you see lots of old sierra's on the remote WA coast with fats on, rusted to the bone, but still going...

Some general Q's

How does the Rocky (I'm erring in that direction) and Feroza handle deep sand vs Suzy equivalents?
Gearing for long distance if i put on 31"? Is there enough tourque to still play around in the tight stuff?
Has anyone here owned both vehicles? Which do you prefer?
I'll be putting on a rooftop tent, some drawers in the back, but am trying to keep the weight down (travelling by bike is good training for this!)
I want to spend around $10k, and then lift it a bit/wheels/tyres etc
Would it be better to get an older Feroza for $5k, and spend $$ on the motor, suspension etc?
How would you do it if you had $10 - $12k to spend???
Thanks in advance for your help...

[murcod]

I'd go for a Rocky 2.8 diesel turbo. Feroza's are great for around town, but I wouldn't want to do a long trip in one! (I'd give the Sierra a miss for the same reasons.)

[SimplyPV]

i personally own a feroza myself and have done long trips. if its not comfortable for you, you can always change out the seats or just bear with it. as for gearing, you'll lose a bit of gearing when you go up to 30's or 31's and will have to shift down when you hit hills. but you shouldnt really notice much down low. more so when in 4 low as it has plenty of grunt there.

indeed, the ferozas are a bit on the small side, but parts might be a little easier to obtain than for the rocky? downside to both is that parts will be hard to come by period. also you'll have to do alot of the modifications yourself unless you know someone who can weld professionally who will do it for cheap. (make a weilder your best friend.)

it sounds like the rocky might be a better deal in terms of boot space and carrying ability, but if you put enough thought and effort into it, i'm sure the feroza could get up to par as well.

test drive both and see what fits you better personally in the long run and modify what doesnt suit you too well.

[BundyRumandCoke]

Go for the Rocky. Most of them are 2.8 diesels. Theres more of these than there are the 2.0 petrol. The later ones are turboed, and intercooled. These are even better that the naturally aspirated ones.
DO NOT fit 31's. They are too big for the Rocky, and make the motor labour too much. When I have mine fitted, 5th gear is just about out, except on the downhill or long flats. Fuel consumption will skyrocket as well. They are very comfortable with 30's fitted. The 30x9.5R15 BFG A/T is a good choice.

You can fit a rear shelf and cargo barrier to the rear of the LWB rockys. It helps with packing, as you can then pack to the roofline. As well, the FRP roofs are strong, so you can carry lightish gear up there, like swags, or tents. Just replace 2 or 3 of the roof bolts on each side with ring bolts, and strap the gear directly to the roof. I have carried a second spare up there, through gulf and cape country with no problems.

As for touring, they make a great touring rig, if a little on the choppy side with the suspension. However, I refer to the earlier all leaf sprung vehicles. We have toured for 4 weeks, 2 adults, and 2 kids, up remote Cape York, carried 2 fridges, ect, and done it reasonably comfortably.

My daughter and I did a trip in June/July this year, Gladstone to Longreach, Cloncurry, Normantoin, Karumba, Musgrave Station, Lakefield NP, Cooktown, Cairns, Chillagoe, Townsville, Gladstone, 5500km in 2 weeks, with absolutely no problems. Fuel economy about 10L/100km. Mine has toured to Canberra with pop top camper in tow, western Qld, and regularly does Gladstone to Brisbane and return, with no problems at all.

[HotFourOk]

You can't go past a Rocky for drivability!

I just bought a 2.8 Turbo Diesel iItercooled Rocky 1993 model with coil sprung rear end and in excellent condition for 10g.. I love it to bits.. and its a Beast offroad

The torque they have is awesome.. and it will take you anywhere you want to go.. Once your in 5th gear.. you stay in 5th gear.. no matter what hill comes along They pull like crazy
I have 30" on my Rocky.. and at 100km/h it sits a bit over 2,500rpm. Considering max torque is at 1900rpm.. there is no worries there.

I think the post 1993 models with coil rear end is much better for on road driving giving a softer ride.. mine is great. And it has more space inside than the other smaller 4x4s so you're not as crammed.

[ayashko]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Seems to be a rough consensus on the Rocky...
Most Rocky's have got around 200,000 k's on them, is this still a reasonable time to buy them, or will i be in for an engine overhaul at these sort of k's? Ditto for the turbo? I find it hard to imagine a turbo going this far without needing a rebuild...?
Thanks!

[HotFourOk]

I just bought mine with 205,000kms and it's in perfect order.. same with the turbo...

If looked after diesels will outlast the body of the car

[HotFourOk]

DO NOT fit 31's. They are too big for the Rocky, and make the motor labour too much. When I have mine fitted, 5th gear is just about out, except on the downhill or long flats. Fuel consumption will skyrocket as well. They are very comfortable with 30's fitted. The 30x9.5R15 BFG A/T is a good choice.
.

What engine are you running Bundy?? Have you had 31" fitted before? I was thinking of getting some fitted soon
By 5th gear being out.. do you mean its revving too low or doesnt have enough pickup when 31"s are fitted? I thought I'd put them on for some more offroad anility.. but if on road suffers too much i'll get 30" again.

[Spartacus]

ive been runnin 31s since i removed the 28s a week after i had my car.
althoug i only drove it 10 mins to work and muckin around on weekends i didnt notice fuel or revs.

N/A diesel, 299,000km, exaggeraters, 2" zorst

if gearing becomes a problem drop in some 4.7 scat centers

[jav]

go the rocky, i have a f65 scat with 320000 on the clock and still going strong, basicly the the same diesel motor as the rocky without the turbo

[BundyRumandCoke]

Im running the DL62 turboed 2.8, with intercooler added.
I run 2 sets of wheels and tyres. 15x7 steels with 30x9.5R15 BFG A/T's for round town/bitumen and touring work, and 15x8 mags with 31x10.5R15 Simex Centipede MT's for off roading and playing.

I find the 31's are too tall for the motor, making 5th gear nearly useless, the motor revs too low in the rev range to be of any use. The pickup is pretty woeful on the 31's, having to hold 3rd a lot longer than I am really happy with when taking off from lights, ect. The problem I had was the Simex's didnt come in a smaller size. Next time round, I think I may try Claws, cause I think they come in 30's.

[rOd]

Im an ex Feroza owner, and to be honest I would pick a Vitara for outback touring, if I had to choose from your list.

Why?

1. Choice of SWB or LWB
2. Choice of different engine sizes
3. Spare parts are easier to come by.
4. Aftermarket support.

Rod

[murcod]

Im an ex Feroza owner, and to be honest I would pick a Vitara for outback touring, if I had to choose from your list.

Right - that does it!

I'm banning you from the Daihatsu Forum- heathen!!!




In the Feroza / Rocky defence- built stronger, more capable off road if left standard, galvanised body panels.... ummm they look like a proper 4WD. (OK, that last one was scraping the bottom of the barell...)

Vitara's are dearer second hand and , yes, you can get LWB and different engine sizes- but most likely not in the price range that is being talked about. Carby engined Vitara's are apparently appalling in the power stakes.

[ayashko]

It looks like the Rocky is going to be the one - seems that most people are happy with it/is reliable, reasonably priced etc And for the price it looks like a good car to keep for a few years - so long as i dont catch the bug that most owners seem to have (big lift job, bigger donk, new solid axles, more lift, a blower, oh the diff locks, etc etc )
Thanks for all your help - im in the market now, so if there is anyone selling, feel free to pm me...
I'll prob be posting more questions regarding mods when i find one - seems to be a lot up north in Qld compared to Vic, damn!

[SimplyPV]

the bug will bite you.... beware. you will be infected...

i owned my rocky for almost 2 years and was very happy with it... had no thoughts concerning modifications. even while browsing the forum. then one day, it just bit me.... HARD.

[BundyRumandCoke]

Forget the bigger donk, the 2.8 is well suited, and its extremely unlikely you will locate diff locks for them.

[HotFourOk]

Yeah... i think the 2.8TD is a great motor... I'm just going to put an exhaust off it.. and it has got plenty of power for any situation

[ayashko]

Ok, have found a few Rockys, one especially seems promising, in Qld!!, but apparently has a slight oil leak "from the turbo" which "doesn't affect the performance/motor, but might need to be looked at in the next 12 months"....
Hmmm.

Anyone had issues with turbos and oil leaks?
Thanks

Just realised this should be in a new thread.