Hello to all. I just found these forums looking for something...and I reallllllly found something. There seems to be good stuff here, and I'm going to need weeks to digest.
I have a 1990 Daihatsu Rocky. A small SUV of mine was totaled by a drunk driver, and I set out to find something unique that fit what I was looking for. There were a few choices, but I settled on a Daihatsu Rocky. Then, I had to find one!
I found mine at a Copart auction (with a clean title!) in Arkansas, and had it shipped to me. I did all of the regular cleaning stuff, like you do, and all fluids. However, there were some issues to work through, and most have now been done.
-The heads in these pop pretty regularly, and mine was no different. The head has been decked and fixed. All new gaskets and all of that.
-Larger alternator was fitted (only 75amp...I'm worried about going too big) to help power "stuff."
-The Rocky is almost all galvanized steel, so after cleaning it up, I Monstalined the exterior and interior.
-New seats and seat covers were fitted.
-Various odds and ends.
The plans for the next few months include:
-Suspension upgrade. Haven't decided which way to go, but with the AUS exchange rate what it is, actual Daihatsu upgrades are cheaper than they would otherwise be. I got badly stuck a week ago, which is also when I learned my old springs are tired and make the rig squat when the going gets rough.
-Electrical upgrade. Now that a larger alt is in, I'm upgrading the "Big 3," swapping to a larger battery, and when I put in a new, unbroken dashboard (in my basement now) I'm adding lights and a couple of power outlets.
-Winch. Um...mighta helped me with being stuck last week.
-Building an "overland storage" thingy in the rear. I have to get the rest done, I think, but this will help me be ready for camping.
I have already paid for some Northeast overland fun, so getting the beast ready is a must. I'll post here as I go. Thanks for reading!
I have a 1990 Daihatsu Rocky. A small SUV of mine was totaled by a drunk driver, and I set out to find something unique that fit what I was looking for. There were a few choices, but I settled on a Daihatsu Rocky. Then, I had to find one!
I found mine at a Copart auction (with a clean title!) in Arkansas, and had it shipped to me. I did all of the regular cleaning stuff, like you do, and all fluids. However, there were some issues to work through, and most have now been done.
-The heads in these pop pretty regularly, and mine was no different. The head has been decked and fixed. All new gaskets and all of that.
-Larger alternator was fitted (only 75amp...I'm worried about going too big) to help power "stuff."
-The Rocky is almost all galvanized steel, so after cleaning it up, I Monstalined the exterior and interior.
-New seats and seat covers were fitted.
-Various odds and ends.
The plans for the next few months include:
-Suspension upgrade. Haven't decided which way to go, but with the AUS exchange rate what it is, actual Daihatsu upgrades are cheaper than they would otherwise be. I got badly stuck a week ago, which is also when I learned my old springs are tired and make the rig squat when the going gets rough.
-Electrical upgrade. Now that a larger alt is in, I'm upgrading the "Big 3," swapping to a larger battery, and when I put in a new, unbroken dashboard (in my basement now) I'm adding lights and a couple of power outlets.
-Winch. Um...mighta helped me with being stuck last week.
-Building an "overland storage" thingy in the rear. I have to get the rest done, I think, but this will help me be ready for camping.
I have already paid for some Northeast overland fun, so getting the beast ready is a must. I'll post here as I go. Thanks for reading!
