Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I am thinking of selling my Zook ute to get a small wagon and I've kind of narrowed it down to a Vitara or a Rocky. I drive 4wd's but don't go "4wdriving". It's mainly for farm work and a DD with kids. Rocky has it's straight away advantages by coming with a diesel (Toyota I belive?). Any other things that may steer me to a Rocky. I plan on spending around $5-8 thou.
Cheers,
Andrew

dont think they are toyota motors in them (dont take my word tho) although i have noticed alot of ppl are under the impression they are toy motors

sorry to steal this post but does anyone know the power out put of the 2.8TD is it 75kw

the rockys are a pretty solid machine and the LWB models have a fair bit of room in the back...well enough for an esky and stuff. I'm pretty certain the petrol model is a straight out toyota motor (3y or 4y). As for the diesel version I'm pretty certain they are largely based on the 2.8 diesel seen in the hilux's but with a few changes to the head or something which I'm sure others will be able to verify and give mor detail on. From what ive seen the gearbox seems to be the weak link in a pretty strong driveline.

Nev wrote:From what ive seen the gearbox seems to be the weak link in a pretty strong driveline.

I havn't heard of many issues with the gearbox, everything seems overkill on the rocky driveline

If you dont go 4x4ing, a Rocky is a good choice, because aftermarket 4x4 acessories are quite uncommon, but this won't really worry you.
They are good on fuel and go forever and a day if services are kept up.

For a DD, I highly recommend the post-August 1993 F78 model (what I have ), which has IFS and Coil rear suspension. This gives a much nicer ride on road which is what you want. This model also comes intercooled.
Lots of room compared to a Vitara for kids and luggage.
And lack of grunt is not an issue for the turbo diesel either.

Worst thing is they are a bit on the rare side.

If you seriously consider a Vitara, a more realistic comparison is a Feroza.. they are very similar 4x4s.

It is beleived that the 2.8 diesel is based on a hilux or similar Toyota engine.
This is quite possible due to Toyota being a parent company of Daihatsu.

Also, some parts are interchangable, but not the majority.. Eg - RockyF70 used a Toyota thermostat, etc, I think.

The rocky diesel is a daihatsu motor, most people get confused cause the rocky petrol is a toyota motor.

Layto....

Nev wrote:From what ive seen the gearbox seems to be the weak link in a pretty strong driveline.

what problems?
mine had a whine and sometimes wouldnt shift into 2nd, i couldnt be
bothered fixin so got a reco box

im in 2 minds as to get a turbo LWB rocky or a SWB MQ/MK patrol with a 3.3TD the patrol is 2750kg with a wheel base of 2350mm.

The rocky wieghs in at 2020kg with a wheel base of 2530mm engine puts out 75kw@3400rpm & 245Nm@1900rpm. Im not sure what the patrol puts out what would be better for off road?

If i get a rocky i would put MQ axles under and cut the guards to fit some decent rubber

The Patrol is probably better offroad when standard with more aftermarket options avaiable.
It is a lot heavier though for a shorter car, is that correct?

If you put Patrol axles under the Rocky it'd go off And then you could get lockers change gearing etc... so its 50/50

And it'd be a head turner for sure!

Just get the car you like best.. but you'll need more $$ to do the Rocky up.

Vineboy wrote:It's mainly for farm work and a DD with kids.

To me a 4 door Vitara would be the choice on this reason alone, unless you can put up with kids having to climb into the back all the time.

HotFourOk wrote:The Patrol is probably better offroad when standard with more aftermarket options avaiable.
It is a lot heavier though for a shorter car, is that correct?

Wheelbase may be shorter but thats about it. An MQ/K is a fair bit wider and probably about the same length wise in the body (larger rear overhang) So really it's a bigger vehicle, combined with a larger engine and larger drivetrain, it should weigh a fair bit more.

i didnt expect the price for an axel conversion to be all that much. MQ/k axels are everywhere and are very cheap so i assumed all i would be looking at is custom driveshafts some longer bake lines, i assume MQ/K booster & master and the welding is no real problem i have some heavy duty cable ties laying around.

And can anyone tell me if the extra 495cc's the patrol has over the rocky is all that noticable with the extra 730kg's it has i would assume it would "all be one to it's own"...

Patchy wrote:And can anyone tell me if the extra 495cc's the patrol has over the rocky is all that noticable with the extra 730kg's it has i would assume it would "all be one to it's own"...

Consider you also get better gearing, in the diesel you also get the option of bolting in lower ratio diffs right away (4.6:1), 2" suspension lift, 2" body lift and some minor trimming you'll get 35's under it aswell. Far simpler then a Rocky ever will.

Only problem the pick of them all would be a late model MK Turbo Diesel 5 speed, they are harder to find then other models and for the cost of what people are asking you may aswell just get a GQ SWB

Being a heathen and all, could you please explain the diff between a Rocky and a Feroza. They kinda look the same to me, at least from the trading post photos.

So are the bodies the same with different engines?

Vineboy wrote:So are the bodies the same with different engines?

Ferozas body is based around a Rocky, has a shorter wheelbase and body, Torsion bar IFS and leaf sprung rear, with the different engine and drivetrain.

Apart from Besty's old beast, and a few select others, they are limited heavily by weak IFS and lack of aftermarket parts. Comparing my zook to my brothers Feroza (even when zook was still kinda normal) was huge difference offroad. Onroad yeah roza, but off road zook killed it every time.

Layto....

If you're looking mainly at farm/DD use, then the Vitara wagon wins hands down, especially when you've gotta get kids in and out of the back seat. They drive VERY nicely and can be lifted cheaply with springs and shocks from other vehicles.....have a look at SIKID's threads on his shorty mods in the Suzuki forum.

The Vit is much easier on tyres, fuel, etc. and still manages to drive like a car with bigger tyres and a couple of inches of lift.

Having said that, the Daihatsus (Rocky or Feroza) are much more robust vehicles, even with IFS.