Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi guys. I am seriously looking into getting a Feroza (some of you may have read this in my post on the other message board). I am a bit wary and worried about the whole IFS deal and the problems it causes. Is this a major deal with the daihatsu or can you get away with it the majority of the time as long as what you are doing isn't extreme? I am started to get very worried about it and may decide to opt for something else without the IFS. THanks for hte help

Okay...you have to think hard and long about IFS...

It is better on the road. But it is WEAKER than any solid axle solution. A common fault with all IFS rigs is the Idler Arm wears out. Can be as cheap a fix as a $20 bush, or $300 for a new Idler Arm. I've never been happy with my steering, and have worn out the Idler bush several times. But....my front diff is welded and I go pretty hard offroad..

The Front diff on the Feroza can be weak, but if not locked, not hit on rocks, it goes fine. I've only broken 1 CV join in the 2 years of offroad driving, and that was 100% my own fault

On the whole, it flexes like CRAP. If you want travel, get a solid axle rig.

If you raise the suspension to get bigger tyres, the IFS will feel harsher. Stock it's a fairly comfy ride, but lifted, it's harsh..

Only thing I can suggest is really think about what you want to do in the future. I started out only wanting to do dirt roads and beaches...then found out about ruts, mud and hill climbs...now I'm starting to take the thing in the rocks and I'm noticing the limitations severely....

Welcome QLDGal! Now you're in the Daihatsu Forum you're going to have to buy one.

Murray (Ferwoaza) and Andy are probably the two best guys to talk to regarding the limitations. They've both probably reached the limits for IFS and have modded their Feroza's suspension a lot.

Besty (Ferozius) owns the Feroza featured in 4WD Monthly a while back with the Commodore V6 engine and Hilux running gear (including a soild front end). Kent from the USA (Toyhatsu) has also done a solid axle swap to his front end.

There are also a lot of guys like me with near stock suspension.

It's probably best if you say what sort of offroading you intend to do?

Remember even the new Landcruisers are running IFS now..... The limitations (from what I've read) are less wheel travel, which may limit your traction off road on very rough/ rocky ground; plus less ground clearance due to the suspension arms etc. The upside is a better ride and handling on road.

G-day QLDGal, Besides getting a kick out of watching other 4WD's flexing with modded suspension set ups and live axles , I've learnt to accept what our little Big-Rig has to offer ( IFS ) , If popping the wheels in the air and loosing traction is an issue as most short wheel base big-rigs do then remove your sway bar ( every bit helps ) and hire the services of a Linchon , I guess at the end of the day you have to ask your self how hard do you want to drive ??? , if your intentions are real hard core stuff , invest in a cruiser or ni$$an ahh !!! alright then , even a Zook We've had " OUR FEROZA " for awhile now and I have to say we're pretty happy with it , it's had it's fair share of driving and has always got us home , with 2 young boys that's important to me

Andy wrote:.... even a Zook ......

That would be a Sierra too- a Vitara wouldn't be any better than the Feroza.

Hi Oldgal, If I were you I wouldn't worry about having IFS. Learn the fundamentals of offroad driving first. See what you want to do and how far you want to go in the 4WDing world. And never forget a good driver in a IFs equipped 4Wd can outdo a dummy one no matter how much trick gear they have.

the Feroza is a great and tough little 4WD and I love mine.

Hi Oldgal

QLDGal,
Have you driven other 4wd's with rigid front axles? I test drove heaps of small (and some medium) 4wd's before settling on the Feroza, which was the best handling vehicle on-road, in part due to the IFS.

If you haven't already, try driving a Suzuki Sierra and you'll see the difference ... they handle like pigs! Bouncing all over the road if you get potholes or even light undulations.

It's a compromise between comfort and, essentially, wheel travel.

If you'll by using the Feroza for majority on-road use (as most of us without big $$$ tend to have to do), you'll soon appreciate the IFS.

If you'll be doing a lot of off-road but more touring style, still go for the Feroza.

If you planning on serious rock-hopping, maybe then a Sierra or, dare I say it, A LADA NIVA would be more your style ( I found my old Lada Niva an absolute mountain goat in standard form, with coils all round it out-climbed even some mildy modified Sierras, but it was rubbish on-road).

If this is your first 4WD. go with the Feroza.

QLDgal, go the Feroza.

We love our trucks and figuring out how to make them more capable is half the fun not to mention sociable. I started like Murray doing sand and dirt tracks until I got the urge for the more difficult stuff and I'm yet to find a track or rutt I can't get through. Where there's a will and an accelerator pedal there's a way.

I love my truck.

I definatly love my Daihatsu and will keep it as long as I can climb up into it. I couldn't afford a used Jeep which was what I wanted. I took one look at the boxed in frame on the Rocky and drove it...I was sold. It is much more difficult adding parts to it but I see Jeeps (CJ, TJ, YJ, Grand cherokees, Cherokees, MJ, T38) everywhere...the city is littered with them. The US Rocky is unique and I generally get a "What the hell was that thing?" look from most 4WD`ers. I'm an old bastard and it is hard to climb up into it sometimes but sell it...never.

QLDGal (or OldGal as Leon has nicknamed you ) in case you haven't realised in the USA a Rocky is actually an Aussie Feroza. So Kent's actually got a Feroza; plus in the UK they're called Sportraks and the Aussie Rockys are called Fourtraks. Very confusing.....

I don't think the USA ever got our Rocky over there? Kent?

well u see guys... i had wanted a jeep to begin with... but like it was mentioned before, they were everywhere.. an very common... now the rocky on the other hand... very rare.... an it stands out. an everyones always asking wtf it is.... an callin it a "jeep" or a "suzuki".... thats an insult btw.. an i tell u what... i saw my rig... drove it once.. an i was sold... paid cash an now i'm lovin it... its hard to find parts for an to do mods.. but thats where half the fun comes from. also.... my rig is pretty close to stock compared to some of the guys on here an i can tell u right now... i've played with the big boys who wheeled in broncos an jeeps that were heavily modded... an i kept up with them jus fine.. blew em away.. the looks alone are priceless.... its a hella fun rig to drive, in town or out of town... through the mud or through the city. its great. i'll never get rid of it as long as i can afford to keep it going an find parts for it.

QLDGAL wrote:Hi guys. I am seriously looking into getting a Feroza (some of you may have read this in my post on the other message board). I am a bit wary and worried about the whole IFS deal and the problems it causes. Is this a major deal with the daihatsu or can you get away with it the majority of the time as long as what you are doing isn't extreme? I am started to get very worried about it and may decide to opt for something else without the IFS. THanks for the help

Hi QldGal,

What exactly is it that worries you about IFS ???

Can it flex as good as a Solid Axle ?? - definitely not. But so what

Is it as strong ?? In the small 4wd set the Feroza IFS is a strong as you get in that market. The Control Arms on the Feroza are bigger than on my Hilux Surf !! I didn't break anything on the Feroza IFS in 7 years including the Front Diff & that was with a Lincoln Locker & 31" Muddies I'll admit I didn't have a "go hard - trailor home" driving style ( it was my daily driver ) but I did get into some pretty extreme stuff & it survived tracks like Sydneys Porters Rd ( RIP )

Is a Torsion Bar IFS hard to modify & Lift ?? - That depends what you want to do with it. If you want to stay within normal limits of a 2" ( 50mm ) lift then the Feroza's IFS is the cheapest & easist of all to lift. It'll cost you a set of good shocks & a couple of hours labour. Replace the shocks, wind up the Torsion Bars & throw out the Sway Bar & shave the Upper Bumpstops - Done Match it with a 2" Lift down the back & set of 235/75 Mud Tyres & you will a very tough, very capable little 4wd that will do 98% of all the 4wding you want to do - & still take you to work on Monday.

Will the ride be hard if I wind up the Torsion Bars ?? - Yes & No. Yes it will be harder than stock - is this a bad thing !! Will it actually ride & handle better with the firmer Springs with the extra lift, bigger tyres & no sway bar ?? YES !! You want to feel hard suspension - go for a ride in Suzuki Sierra with a 2" Lift

Want to get more serious ?? Put in a 2" Body Lift, a Set of 31" Muddies, Lincoln Lock the front Diff & find a LSD for the rear - do some more mods to get the most out of the rear suspension. You will now be more than capable enough for 99% of all the 4wding out there - the Feroza will probably be more capable than its driver !! ( I know mine was )

Want more again ?? Take a look at Besty's Beast or Kents Monster - these trucks are up there with the best of Modfiied 4wds, & like most good modified 4wds they are only 50% or less of the original truck anyway

Go the Feroza - you won't be sorry.

Later - Mike H.

at first i had a 2.8 litere rocky drove it for 10 years no problem what so ever but she was getting verry old stil have it wouldent think of selling it no way
got me a jeep cherokee later for evryday driving i was having problems almost evry week sold the son of a bit.. and got me a suzuki vitara drove that for half a year on and offroad but thats more a car for some dirt tracks in the woods
didnt really like it it just didnt have the spark to make me love it so i sold her
got me a feroza now the old narrow track but who cares its much better offroad
im looking around to find a second feroza for the wife nowbecause she likes it as much as i do
so i say stick with daihatsu the best car ive ever drove
no other cars for me annymore drove lots of them but they just dont have the spark
a tru daihatsu fan nows what i mean with the spark

David,

I don't think the USA ever got our Rocky over there? Kent?

Now why doesn't that old bastard ever answer my questions?

The US Rocky/Oz Feroza was only sold over here for two years...maybe three. All I know of is the `90 and `91. They did intorduce the three cylinder Charade but not the Oz Rocky. The Samauri was still being sold as a light truck and able to get around some of the import regulations. Daihatsu didn't change their specs on the Rocky and was listed as a dangerous car (roll over/ high center of gravity) or something like that. It was too expensive to import due to the added taxation. I REALLY wish that they would try the US market again as the rest of the world seems to embrace Daihatsu as a worthy vehicle.

As a ranger in the evil lands to the west and across the sea where few are loyal to King Daihatsu, I still seek to destroy the minions of the dark lord Detroit in the service of our King.

So does that answer your question QLDgal???? See what happens when you ask a question like that to fanatical Feroza owners!

I hope you've learnt your lesson young lady!!!!!!

FerociousFeroza wrote:So does that answer your question QLDgal???? See what happens when you ask a question like that to fanatical Feroza owners!

I hope you've learnt your lesson young lady!!!!!!

Yes I have We are looking at getting a feroza or rocky now. My only concern with the IFS was its strength. I have seen what IFS in a hilux can do and am very cautious about it that is all. You have all reassured me now. Thanks so much for your help

GO YOU GOOD THING!!!!!!!!!

VERY wise choice lady.. you wont regret it.. i can bet u 10-1 on that! u spend a hell of alot of $$ jus to mod it.. but in the long run.. it is jus so freakin worth it...

Hi Qldgal, You won't break the IFS of a Feroza. Have a look at my little pic on the left. you could do this every day and not hurt em.

Le0n wrote:Hi Qldgal, You won't break the IFS of a Feroza. Have a look at my little pic on the left. you could do this every day and not hurt em.

Funny... I do do that every day and am yet to hurt mine

I love the way councils enjoy spending tens of thousands of dollars building speed platforms and roundabouts so people like me can go airbourne over them...

FerociousFeroza wrote:

Le0n wrote:Hi Qldgal, You won't break the IFS of a Feroza. Have a look at my little pic on the left. you could do this every day and not hurt em.

Funny... I do do that every day and am yet to hurt mine

I love the way councils enjoy spending tens of thousands of dollars building speed platforms and roundabouts so people like me can go airbourne over them...

Well what else can I do but take your word for it

QLDGal, I found a nice ditch earlier today and maxed out my suspension so diagonally opposite wheels were just off the ground. I can post a pic tomorrow if you're interested.

The only suspension mod on mine is a set of Bilstein shocks so it will give a good idea of how much wheel travel a stock Feroza has. Hardcore 4WDer's need not look if I post the pic.

Here are some hardcore Feroza flex pics for you all to enjoy

You'll note I didn't say anything about mine flexing well..... or anything else along those lines!

Ferwoaza wrote:Here are some hardcore Feroza flex pics for you all to enjoy

murcod wrote:QLDGal, I found a nice ditch earlier today and maxed out my suspension so diagonally opposite wheels were just off the ground. I can post a pic tomorrow if you're interested.

The only suspension mod on mine is a set of Bilstein shocks so it will give a good idea of how much wheel travel a stock Feroza has. Hardcore 4WDer's need not look if I post the pic.

That would be good if you could please

Ferwoaza what extras do you have in your car?

2.5" Suspension Lift (60mm)
2" Body Lift
31x10.5 Tyres on 15" Sunraysia F100 rims
Removed Front Anti-swaybar
Opened spring clamps on rear springs
MRT Extractors and 2" Sports Exhaust
MRT Rampod with cleanable airfilter
AM CB Radio
CD Player

In those pics I was still on 235x75r15 tyres and didn't have the body lift.

Ferwoaza wrote:2.5" Suspension Lift (60mm)
2" Body Lift
31x10.5 Tyres on 15" Sunraysia F100 rims
Removed Front Anti-swaybar
Opened spring clamps on rear springs
MRT Extractors and 2" Sports Exhaust
MRT Rampod with cleanable airfilter
AM CB Radio
CD Player

In those pics I was still on 235x75r15 tyres and didn't have the body lift.

Sounds like a mighty little rig