Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I am dubious, all of the capability aside, when it comes time to replace/overhaul an engine, what are my options?

I have obviously seen parts are hard to come across. I hope to keep the same diesel in the Rocky, or at least a DL, but when push comes to shove, how good are they? If they arent abused, will they dish up the k's and have no problems with just overhauls and tlc, or do they have a useful life?

I have been looking at a Rocky somewhere around 1985+, I have found a few, one has been used offroad and has the top of the line products attached to reflect the care. The roofrack and bullbar alone would be worth $1500+ (AUD) Custom powdercoated bars that are bolted to the chassis, even the roofrack, the bars run down the back corners of the vehicle!

Back to the point. If I have to replace the engine, what are my options?
If I want to maintain the current donk, are all the parts available, even if they have to be modified from other vehicles?

I want to keep the Rocky for the foreseeable future.

~Fox

By the way, im looking at a Rocky with 340,000 k's on the clock. Not a spot of rust, no leaks etc. 85 Turbo Diesel MWB.

Used for minor offroad work, backroads and river crossings. Nothing much.

I dont want to pay too much to replace an engine when I can drop something generic into something else. (That is, if I cant do it with the Rocky) This unit has had enough offroading to keep the transfer case operational, I suspect all seals/bushes will need replacing, which I am prepared to do. Its been used for road work for the most recent years of its life.

good thing is that daihatsu is owned by toyota.... check out the 2.8 hilux motors... nearly identical cept the heads.

340xxx itll have plenty of life, get a compression test as rockys hate any water in them and get the usual. all rocky parts are expensive but if you dont thrash them too bad theyll last forever.......kinda

spoke to an NRMA bloke on thursday (had to help me get moivng, started motor died ) and he started going on about how 'bulletproof' rocky's are, and his mates got one thats just about to clock over 500k on the orig motor, and all he's done in the engine bay is the alternator

Having said that my rocky's on 340k and on its 2nd engine (rebuild) which i have the recipt for and was around the $1500 mark for a rebuilt engine - bout 6 years ago IIRC - so i think it largely depends on how you treat em. The previous owner of mine drove it like a sports car

I've found most engine parts to be easily available. Except starter motor, ~$1200 for a genuine from japan, or $600 for the only non genuine one out there... mine was rebuilt for 200

It only get tricky if you want sumthing stoopid like a rear diff ... or a locker

After my experiences, I have to say as a recomendation to anyone, get a toyota or a nissan BUT.... if I had my time again, i'd still do it all the same and buy the rocky... its just sooo damn good for such a little package Mileage is a big+in this regard @ about 11L/100k with a really crappy zorst

I wish i never sold my 92 rocky

The donk will go forever

And its a turbo one also... BONUS! Not many around these days

The turbo's go off

Thanks for all your help

Fox wrote:Thanks for all your help

Thats not enough.

Did you buy it? Pics? Price?

I havent bought it yet. I am going to take it for a test drive, check the transfer case and everything first, as much as I can in the short time I will have anyway...

340K is a lot of k's.

I personally would give it a miss, unless it's really cheap.
If it's from a dealer then expect it to look better than it actually is. They like to cover things up.
If it's private sale, then it is probably more honest.

If its '85 then it wouldn't have an intercooler and so the engine would have probably had a harder life due to it having to put up with higher manifold temps. Saying that though, the non-intercooled ones also put out less power so I guess that puts a different spin on things.

Either way as said before do a compression test. That should come up at about 400psi each cylinder with no more than 30% variation between cylinders. If it's down on any cyliders it could indicate a cracked head or just general wear. Check the radiator for bubbles when running.

Things to expect to do in the future: injector pump, injectors, turbo, starter motor, water pump, clutch, gearbox maybe.

To give you a price point, yesterday I bought a '92 F75 rocky turbo intercooled, 185,000kms, complete service history, imaculate condition for $7250 on road from a dealer.
I went and spoke to the owner and tried get a general impression of weather or not he was the type of person to look after things (he was). I also rang up the place that had done all of the servicing and got the low-down on its history (what things had been replaced). Compression test cost $44 from a professional diesel injection shop and came up 440, 410, 410, 420 for each cylinder, they also picked up a few things I hadn't seen.
I plan to start a thread and post photo's some time soon.

Anyhow, be carefull. It can get expensive if big things go wrong.
If you think it's about to go pop, get rid of it.

Hope this helps
Cheers.

So did you buy it?

340 aint a lot of k's,mines pushing 360.... ok its maybe starting to fall apart But I found one scrapped the other day, that was going strong up to 750 000

RockyF70 wrote:340 aint a lot of k's

Never really understood why people think those sort of km's are high on old vehicles, that's only 16000 odd per year, it's bugger all. I'd put those kinds of km's on my work vehicles in under 4 years if they were kept that long. One was sold wwith 275000km on it and it was less then 3 years old.

I say go for it...... (IMO)

Every person here will agree that they are a fantastic vehicle all round. But if you step back and do an overview for a minute you will also notice:

A. Parts are available, perhaps slightly more pricey than other manufacturers, but avail. none the less.

and

B. As you have read in the above posts and other topics on here. Engines from other vehicles, suspension, diff's, everything can be replaced with items from other makes and models if need be.

After that I guess it is just finding the right one for you

my rocky has 330k on it and the last 100 have been running 15psi with a 3" zorst and intercooler, only thing i have had trouble with is the starter motor, but there is now a company in perth who does em brand new for $289, i had to fork out $300 for a second hand one covered in red dust spewin.
mines 20 yrs old and still like brand new inside and out, rocky is the touring mans suzuki