I have had a intercooled turbo diesel Rocky for the past four years and I
have found it to be an exercise in compromise...but then that is four wheel
driving isn't it?
PRO's:
The car is economical and when you add the factory fitted intercooled turbo,
it is quick off the mark for a diesel and all the blokes who have driven
mine are very impressed with it's performance. The diesel engine is also
great, heaps of low down grunt for off roading and the Rocky is reasonably
sure footed.
Creature comforts (depending on the spec) are adequate without being too
showy and most of the Rocky's from about 91 come with air con and power
steering as standard.
Depending on where you want to go with it, the Rocky is a tough little
number. The drive line is near bullet proof, with all the problems I have
ever had coming from either the dope driving or lack of maitenance on my
behalf. Also the engine just keeps on rockin, I have treated mine very
nasty (although I am meticulous about changing oil and filters etc) and put
some big loads on it and the engine starts first time every time (though
with a bit of smoke cause I need new glow plugs.) I really could not say
that the mechanicals failed because of build quality or the make up of the
car. Again depending on what you plan on doing with it, it would make a
great tourer, throw some decent 31 inch rubber and a 2 inch lift kit under
it and you can take it allot of places. I easily did most of Menai,
Jacksons Lane, Yalwal, though I would think seriously about Protersin it's
pre decimation days.
The Rocky is also reasonably priced for the capable package you get for it.
You can pick up a decent truck for sub 14K.
CON's:
Parts. Getting harder to find, getting more expensive and also getting
longer in coming...some parts have to regularly come from Japan now. You
can't just walk into REPCO or Auto Pro etc allot of the time and take
something from the shelf. Last time I checked, tie rod ends cost $60 from
pedders for the left hand side and $191 from Daihatsu for the right hand
side. Door hinges are about $70 each. You don't want to know what a
genuine drive shaft will cost (which I enquired about out of interest).
Engine mounts come in at over the $100 mark...so you learn to look about for
other alternatives. Oil filters and fuel filters are also expensive in my
opinion. You will find allot of Toyota parts are cross compatible. Stub
axles, rotors, air filters as well as other parts all fit.
Also if you want air lockers...you're gonna have to throw some hilux diff's
in the truck. Detroit used to make a locker for them, but I could not tell
you how easy they are to find now. You can, if you willing to search find a
snorkel also and I would list this as a msut have if your gonna play
anywhere near river's or big water. Tough Dog do a lift kit for the Rocky
as does TJM (series 2000), Lone Ranger also do a 100 ltr long range tank,
which is also something I would say is a must have...the old tank is
something like 55 litres and the Long Ranger means that you can do a trip
and not fill up or need to carry jerrys. On the highway I can get from
Wagga Wagga to Gosford and still have just over a quarter of a tank left.
Other mods such as bullbars and the like can be hard to find or need to be
custom jobs.
Seats: In a Rocky they suck...install something like a recaro or out of an
Honda Accord, much more comfortable.
Room: Again this depends on what your ding or who your going to throw in
there. I turfed my rear seat into the garage because it is me and the
missus and there is heaps of room for gear. It is a two adult back seat and
when it is in, then I would recomend getting a roof basket to carry most of
your gear, leg room in the back is also a little lacking for the other end
of the six foot crew. At six three I find the drivers seat a little cramped
as well compared to the Nissan patrols and cruisers I drive at work.
Heat: Some Rocky's for reasons unknown overheat very quickly in sand or on
big climbs, where others will not budge from halfway on the hottest day at
Stockton. Mine is an over heater, I have taken it to three different
radiator blokes and none can seem to tell me why. Everything seems to be in
order...it just gets hot. You take your chances and alter your driving
style to suit if it is bad, altering your driving style a little seems to
help. (Yeah I got a big right boot sometimes.)
If your like me and hate not being able to walk in and grab what you want
pretty much off the shelf or within 48 hours, then I would give it a miss.
Although it does not seem like much, when your stuck in the middle of
nowhere and have to either stay with the vehicle or leave it behind to be
worked on, it can get annoying. (Sometimes it is a good excuse to stay at
the pub.) Move anything further away than 80km from Sydney and the wait
gets longer and longer, there is a reason people drive mainly Hilux's,
Rodeo's or WB's where I live now. In the Wagga area, the closest Daihatsu
parts dealer is either Sydney or Albury (even then the Albury mob are
scaling down I believe.) The Rocky is a great little truck, but I am
considering tossing mine and getting a Hilux now, especially as I can see it
getting harder and harder to get parts. If you have a couple of kids...it
is two door and it is smallish with the back seat in. Still it is capable
and I have had fun with it...offer me about $4K for a 92 model with 11
months rego and I may even take you up on it...
Muddy
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