Daihatsu Fourtrak

[MotherOfChickens]

Anyone still have them? I am considering a cheap 4x4 purely as a workhorse and to get us out of trouble in poor weather. It will be our third car so not for commuting etc, just for the weather, terrible roads and towing a trailer (not a horse trailer) for hay/wood etc.
You can apparently pick one up for £2.5K or less and low mileage considering the year but how are they for parts etc these days and what are the obvious pitfalls?

 

[buddylove]

Hubby sold his last year as he was getting a pickup through work. It was fab, happily towed a 511 up icy/snowy hills, never had an problems getting parts. His was very low mileage, and pretty reliable. Think you have to watch out for the rust, but the beauty with them being pretty basic is that nothing is too complicated to fix!

 

[alwaysbroke]

Had one a few years ago, loved it, unfortunately the rust got her in the end, would have loved another, but couldn't find a replacement quick enough

 

[pennyturner]

Also consider a Nissan Terrano. We've just picked one up for £1k (including a £300 private plate!) and we're very pleased with it. Like the fourtraks, look out for rust and signs of off-roading. The engines go one forever.

 

[Charlie007]

The fourtrak is a great vehicle. I would have another but it's not big enough for OH shooting stuff!! We also had a terrano which was ok but the fourtrak was better IMO. Currently have a ford ranger crew cab. It's great but when towing it makes for a very long unit!!

 

[debsflo]

Had one a few years ago, loved it, unfortunately the rust got her in the end, would have loved another, but couldn't find a replacement quick enough

same here,engine was great but the body died...

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Also consider a Nissan Terrano. We've just picked one up for £1k (including a £300 private plate!) and we're very pleased with it. Like the fourtraks, look out for rust and signs of off-roading. The engines go one forever.

aah, good call thanks. Cheers everyone, I've never known someone with a fourtrak that didn't rate them and I don't want anything massive. Be nice to know it could tow a horse trailer even though I don't intend to right now.

 

[tda]

I have had two and love them. We have moved onto a Hi-Lux now, but do prefer Fourtrack for towing and sheer power/manouverabilty if you get a bit stuck! Do find the clutches a bit heavy once you've got used to a newer vehicle

We have my dads old one for sale - its an "s" reg, has not got massive miles and has a service history and was in good condition until my dad got it! I'm selling it for £850.. They are easily available, usually on Ebay

 

[dixie]

aah, good call thanks. Cheers everyone, I've never known someone with a fourtrak that didn't rate them and I don't want anything massive. Be nice to know it could tow a horse trailer even though I don't intend to right now.

Well I'm one. Had one and hated it. Much prefer my Terranos and now my Jeep.��

 

[Beausmate]

They're a bit...erm..agricultural. I've know people to have problems with the rear lights, due to the back of them being exposed to all kinds of muck thrown up by the wheels. They have a lot of similar rust traps too. Pretty reliable and tow quite well, good off-road.

Check parts availability and prices, as Daihatsu have pulled out of the UK and Europe.

Although, we sell SAAB parts, can get most things, and they've closed completely!

 

[Louby]

Weve had 2, an old G reg, upgraded it to a S reg and only sold it because being a 2 door, our Lurcher struggled getting in the back. They are great cars and can tow up to 3.5t. Before 1994 they were on leaf springs and really bouncy and our 'newer' one felt so much better to drive. I think the main area for rust is under the tray in the boot so have a good poke about there. We then bought a Shogun Warrier which was more civilised lol but if used as a tow vehicle can only tow up to 2.8t

 

[lelly]

I had one years ago and loved it. They are brilliant for towing on any ground including deep mud with horses in. I never got stuck with it. But, unfortunately, as others have said the bodywork goes rusty far before the engine gives up.

 

[AmieeT]

My YO traded his in for a Mitsubishi Warrior and regrets it. It towed better, had better 4x4 and drank less diesel.

His was 25yo and he got approx £4k for it 2 years ago, as he is a mechanic and took good care of it, it did rust but he sorted it a before he sold it.

Ax

 

[maisie06]

I have had 3 = brilliant cars!! Very capable off road, but very basic to drive, but that is part of their charm. I am gutted I couldn't get another one, now stuck with a blasted useless Jeep...

 

[JCWHITE]

I love mine....will be using it on the land should it fail its inspection. Like others say, engines perfect

 

[brighteyes]

I have just bought my second one - a mint example - and am reminded of what tough little workhorses they are. In fact I'd forgotten how comfy they are, too.

 

[jactomtroub]

I have had 2. First one was rusty but repaired by my husband. I have just found another with no rust and low milage. I dont care that its basic it has a heater and a radio thats all I need. I use mine for commuting as well as towing a large trailer with two heavy cobs. It drives so well and pulls so easily. Ok its basic but I find that charming and I much rather have reliability. I am lucky as the one I have will outlast my towing days!!

 

[marmalade76]

I love mine. The engine sounds great, it's so easy to drive and manoeuvre, great for towing and driving on fields. The only thing it's not really comfortable with is motorway driving, it's happier at 65 than 70mph, but it's not often I have to venture onto a motorway so that's ok They do get the rot which is a shame but not impossible to keep on top of. There are a couple of suppliers who specialise in parts for Jap vehicles and we've never had any trouble getting hold of anything. They have a bit of a fan club on Facebook and if I'm having any trouble I just ask on there. It can be a struggle to find tidy, low mileage examples but I love them so much that if I had spare cash I would stock pile all the tidy ones I could find so I'd have enough to see me out for the rest of my days!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/6497312361/?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/atkinsonautomotives/?fref=ts

 

[Suechoccy]

I love mine. It's my 2nd one. First one was a G-reg leaf spring, current one is a T-reg indespension. Yes they are agricultural but they are also big, fairly simple Tonka Toys to work on. Tow 2 x 16hh in a 505, tows the caravan too, takes the dogs everywhere. Very much a working vehicle. Not fast, not that economical.

Refurbs and welding - fantastic place called Atkinson Automotives just outside Stoke on Trent. They do secondhand spares too.

Also Adam Laraway who's in Bucks area.

Great Facebook group - Daihatsu Fourtrak/Rocky/Sportrak - well worth joining this group if you get one. Enthusiasts who know the cars inside-out.

Also Milners 4x4 are a supplier of new parts.

 

[Suechoccy]

LOL - just realised Marmalade and I have written identical threads in different words! Have to go find him/her in that Facebook group now!

 

[Annagain]

Get a Defender. Maybe a little more expensive but easier to find parts for if anything goes wrong and you won't get a better car off road or in bad conditions.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

My own zombie thread! thanks everyone.

I would still love one (just like the look of them) but ended up buying a van in the summer-plus a lorry so that's it on the spendy front for a while. I do love my van, not sure why I never thought of getting one before!

 

[marmalade76]

LOL - just realised Marmalade and I have written identical threads in different words! Have to go find him/her in that Facebook group now!

Ha ha, yes, thought the same when I read yours! I am in the group but don't post there often, do you want me to PM you or do you just want a clue? If so, my 'Trak is red!

Get a Defender. Maybe a little more expensive but easier to find parts for if anything goes wrong and you won't get a better car off road or in bad conditions.

Considerably more expensive, I think you'll find, plus less reliable and far more likely to get nicked! As for being better off road....some members of the Fourtrak group call themselves "The Land Rover Recovery Service"! 😁