Faults:

Leaf spring bushings needed replacing.

Auto 4wd hubs seized up - replaced - $80.

Rear diff was making an annoying but harmless clunking noise - purchased a salvaged one for only $250 and changed it myself.

Makes a high pitch whistling noise above 3 thousand revs - could be the exhaust or a vacuum hose.

General Comments:

An extremely reliable vehicle. These little Rockys often outperform other small trucks such as Suzuki Vitaras because of their strong engine and heavily built chassis. They also have a larger fuel tank which can be useful for a achieving a greater range.

I have not had a single problem with the engine yet apart from a rough idle which was cured by cleaning out the throttle body.

I have been on a few long trips with the Rocky including a few roads that climb high into the Urewera ranges. The car didn't have a single complaint and was great on fuel. I have also towed a moderately sized boat quite a distance on the road; the MPG decreases significantly, but it still trucks along (slowly on the hills).

It's definitely not the most comfortable vehicle on the road, especially at highway speeds, I usually drive at 90kmh as it keeps the revs down, increasing fuel economy. Off-road the performance is quite good, although having mud tyres would improve it a lot.

These trucks are known to make it past the 300,000km mark, so they will look after you for quite a while.

Faults:

Fuel breather valve above filler cap in cabin cracked and needed gluing to stop a fuel smell in the car. Common fault on these.

Radiator top tank cracked, needed fixing.

Whistling noise in exhaust, a bit annoying, but doesn't affect reliability etc.

Otherwise, nothing.

General Comments:

Very well built, heavy construction, chassis underneath. Well made for going off road. Not the fastest thing on the open road, but is very capable off road.

High and Low ratio gearing, and the sunroof tilts or comes off, and the entire rear of the roof can be taken off. Very versatile car.

Tows well, even though it's just 1600cc.

Would love another one, but they seem to have gone up in value lately!

Faults:

Timing belt at 187k.

New clutch plate at 177k.

New brakes/shocks at 125k and 230k.

Rebuild alternator at 159k and 210k.

That is all the repairs except oil changes (I use synthetic only).

General Comments:

This is probably the best car I have ever had. I live in the mountains and people don't believe how it just climbs over things. It's true it could use more power, but I pull my 1300 lb boat, 1100 lb camper, and also a box utility trailer with it all the time through thousands of miles.

It is boxy, but I doubt seriously anything made today could replace it for reliability, toughness, and overall utility at the cost. I have a grand total of around 6500 in it over the last almost six years, including the purchase price.

I wish I could buy a new one, but you can't get new Daihatsus in the United States.

Like my 1996 Jag (before Ford bought them), you can have it when you pry out of my crying fingers.

Faults:

Rattly thrust bearing in the clutch. It is not a real problem, has no effect on anything. Will be there till I sell the vehicle.

Overheating - my fault, neglected the radiator, got it cleaned out, all good.

General Comments:

This is an excellent vehicle.

It has OK power with the turbo.

It is good offroad, reliable and TOUGH. As well as having good capabilities... unstoppable on sand with tyres on 12psi. I've also found it loves rocks, suppose that's why it's called a rocky.

It does have a 'bone jarring ride'. That is the 2 inch heavy duty lift I installed. They look like scania (truck) leaf springs.

Inside the cab when cruising is surprisingly quiet for what it is.