Daihatsu Rugger

Rugger/Rocky/Fourtrak F70

The Daihatsu Rugger was an off-road vehicle built by Daihatsu between 1984 and 2002. The Rugger was called the Daihatsu Rocky in most export markets, and Daihatsu Fourtrak in the UK. It has also received a series of different names elsewhere, which is why it is often referred to by its chassis code (F70) to distinguish it from its various siblings.

First generation (1984-1992)

Rugger/Rocky/Fourtrak F70 (First generation)

The first generation was sold from 1984 to 1993, replacing the Daihatsu Taft. It was available in short-wheelbase form with a convertible soft top or removable hard top and in extended-wheelbase form with metal top. The extended variant, called Rugger Wagon, could carry up to eight people in the back. Three engines were available: the petrol Toyota 3Y 2.0 L with one overhead cam, a single carburettor and 88 PS (65 kW); and two 2.8 litre diesel variants, normally aspirated with 73 PS (54 kW), or turbocharged with 88 PS (65 kW), both featuring overhead valves. Part-time 4WD was standard on all models. A Toyota-engined version was sold in the Japanese market as the Toyota Blizzard.

That not quit right as there was an earlier version the f50 swb and f55 lwb pick-up 1981-1984 with a 2.5 liter diesel engine with an in-line fuel pump. They also did a i think F20 or F30 which was petrol.

The 1984-1993 models were SWB F70 LWB F75 and the longer wheel base F77 Pick up. In 1989 the 2.8 turbo diesels change from timing chains to timing belts the head lights went from round to square and the 4wd engagement in high range was done from an electric switch via vacuum pipe instead of gear stick but still had a gear stick for low range 4wd. (Well it did in the UK)

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  F55 Pick up

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  F75

Second generation (1992-2002)

The second generation was introduced in 1992 and available for export the following year. Among the evolutions was the replacement of the early leaf sprung axles by independent front suspension and a coil sprung rear axle. The petrol engine was enlarged to 2.2 L, with a small power hike to 91 PS (67 kW), while the 2.8 Turbo Diesel was fitted with an intercooler, resulting in a power increase to 102 PS (75 kW). Still, the model was considered too rustic, still not possessing rear doors in the long-wheelbase model, and Daihatsu declined to replace it, concentrating instead on their smaller automobiles.

In Indonesia the F70 versions had a long life, built on several different wheelbases with many styles of bodywork. It was marketed there as the Daihatsu Taft, Rocky, or Hiline when powered by diesel engines. With a petrol engine it received the Feroza name (not to be confused with its smaller, F300-series sibling which seems to have never been marketed in Indonesia).

Italian Version

Called the Bertone Freeclimber with mechanical components by Daihatsu, a BMW 2443 cc turbodiesel or one of two petrol engines (1991 cc. and 2693 cc), all six cylinders, and a Bertone designed body. The Freeclimber is a high-end off-roader, produced from 1989 to 1992.

External links

• Fourtrak review
• Freeclimber Club