Daihatsu Rugger

The Daihatsu Rugger (Japanese: ダイハツ・ラガー, Daihatsu Ragā) is an off-road vehicle built by Daihatsu between 1984 and 2002. The Rugger was also called the Rocky in most export markets, and Fourtrak in the United Kingdom. It has also received a series of different names elsewhere, which is why it is often referred to by its model designation (F70 for diesel variants or F80 for petrol variants) to distinguish it from its various siblings. In Japan and the US, the Rocky name refers to the smaller F300 series of Daihatsu vehicles.

This article is about the export model Rocky/Feroza. For the unrelated Japanese market Rocky/Feroza, see Daihatsu Rocky.

Daihatsu Rugger (F70/F80/F90)
1990 Daihatsu Taft GT (F70, Indonesia)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daihatsu
Also called	Toyota Blizzard (LD20) Daihatsu Rocky Daihatsu Fourtrak (United Kingdom) Daihatsu Taft (4WD version, Indonesia) Daihatsu Hiline/Feroza (RWD version, Indonesia)
Production	1984–2002 (Japan) 1986–2007 (Indonesia)
Assembly	Ikeda, Osaka, Japan Sunter, Jakarta, Indonesia
Body and chassis
Class	Off-road vehicle Mini/compact SUV
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (Hiline/Feroza) Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1598 cc HD-C I4 (Feroza)[1] 1998 cc 3Y I4 2237 cc 4Y I4 Diesel: 2765 cc DL41/42 I4 2765 cc DL52/62 turbodiesel I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,205 mm (86.8 in) (short wheelbase) 2,530 mm (99.6 in) (long wheelbase) 2,800 mm (110.2 in) (long wheelbase, Indonesia)
Length	3,655–3,715 mm (143.9–146.3 in) (short wheelbase) 4,060 mm (159.8 in) (long wheelbase) 4,500 mm (177.2 in) (long wheelbase pickup) 4,520 mm (178.0 in) (long wheelbase, Indonesia)
Width	1,580 mm (62.2 in)
Height	1,830–1,905 mm (72.0–75.0 in)
Kerb weight	1,250–1,850 kg (2,756–4,079 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Daihatsu Taft (F10/F20/F50/F60)
Successor	Daihatsu Terios/Taruna

Model history

The F70/F80-series Rugger was made in the same mold as many of its Japanese competitors at the time. Dimensionally it was very similar to the short wheelbase variants of the Isuzu Trooper, Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Pajero, and Nissan Patrol, although unlike most competitors the Rugger could seat five rather than four.[2] The ladderframe construction with leaf sprung live front and rear axles was also typical. The four-wheel drive system required the driver to get out and lock the hubs when selecting the 4WD mode, but as of 1991 the F70/F80 switched to automatic locking hubs, engaging when the driver moved forward 2 to 3 metres (7 to 10 ft).[3] A transfer case provided five extra low gears for crawling through rough terrain.

Two wheelbases were built, with the longer one (F75/F85) stretched by 325 mm (12.8 in), making it shorter than most competitors' long wheelbase models. There were no four-door models, excepting those developed by Daihatsu's Indonesian subsidiary who also used an even longer wheelbase. There was a softtop model, a hardtop, a wagon, the long wheelbase version with a higher roof, as well as a rarely seen pickup truck on the longer chassis.

1984–1991

The first model was sold from 1984 to 1993, replacing the F10/F20/F50/F60 series Taft. It was available in short wheelbase form with a convertible softtop or removable hardtop (F70/F80) and in long wheelbase form (F75/F85) with fibreglass top. The extended variant, called Rugger Wagon, could carry up to eight people in the back, facing each other. Three engine options were available: a Toyota 2.0 L 3Y petrol engine with single overhead cam and single carburettor producing 65 kW (87 hp; 88 PS) and two 2.8 L diesel variants: a naturally aspirated variant producing 54 kW (72 hp; 73 PS) and turbocharged variant producing 65 kW (87 hp; 88 PS), both featuring overhead valves. The turbodiesel appeared early in 1985.[4] Part-time four-wheel drive was standard on all models. A Toyota diesel-engined (2L) version was sold in the Japanese market as the LD20 Toyota Blizzard.

The 1984–1991 diesel models were available in short wheelbase F70, long wheelbase F75 and F77 pickup. In 1989, the DL-series diesel engine underwent a number of changes including a timing belt replacing helical timing gears, rectangular headlamps and four-wheel drive engagement in high range using an electric switch via a vacuum pipe. The code for the naturally aspirated model changed from DL41 to DL42. Later an intercooled version of the turbodiesel engine became available, with power increasing to 75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS) DIN or 85 kW (114 hp; 116 PS) JIS.[5] In 1991 the Rugger/Rocky switched to automatic locking hubs.

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  1985 Daihatsu Rocky
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  1987 Daihatsu Rocky 4WD (F70)
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  1988 Daihatsu Rocky (F70)
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  1989 Daihatsu Rocky 2.0 DX (F85)
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  Daihatsu Rugger 2.8 Turbodiesel EL (F75V)
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  Daihatsu Rugger
• 
  1990 Daihatsu Fourtrak

In Indonesia, the F70 model was built with a variety of names including Taft GT (short wheelbase), Rocky (F75 long wheelbase) and Hiline from 1988 (mostly rear-wheel drive models, F69 model designation). The GTL, first shown in 1986 and later with the addition of "Hiline" badging, had a locally developed five-door station wagon body which was built on a longer wheelbase than available elsewhere. The rear doors had sliding rather than wind-down windows.[6] There was also a mid-wheelbase version called the GTX sold from 1986 until 1988, when a similarly equipped four-wheel drive version called the Taft Rocky replaced it. The short-wheelbase rear-wheel drive model was originally called the GTS (Hiline GTS from 1988). The Hiline GTL was also available in four-wheel drive option. All Indonesian-built F70s received the 2.8 L naturally aspirated DL diesel engine with 53 kW (71 hp; 72 PS) at 3600 rpm. The first model of Taft/Rocky/Hiline was built in Indonesia until 1995.

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  1990 Daihatsu Taft GT (F70)

1992–2002

The second model was introduced in 1991 and became available for export the following year. The redesign, including a new dashboard, was carried out by Bertone, who also got to develop their own luxurious version to be sold in certain European markets.[7] Among the changes was the replacement of the early leaf spring axles by independent front suspension and a coil spring rear axle. The spare tire was mounted somewhat lower, improving rear vision, and on left-hand-drive models the spare was finally moved to the right.[7] The petrol engine (now in the F90-series) was enlarged to 2.2 L, with a small power hike to 67 kW (90 hp; 91 PS). This motorization was first shown in Europe at the September 1993 Frankfurt Auto Show and was only sold in the United Kingdom.[8] Meanwhile, the 2.8 L turbodiesel engine was now only available with an intercooler, with power remaining 75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS) DIN. In the Japanese market, 85 kW (114 hp; 116 PS) JIS was claimed. 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 after F70 production ended in 2002.[9]

• 
  1992 Daihatsu Rocky 2.0
• 
  1996 Daihatsu Rocky SE 2.8 TD
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  1995 Daihatsu Rocky SE 2.8TD (F78)

After a year's hiatus in Indonesia, the independently sprung F73/F78 arrived to replace the earlier models in 1996. As before, there was a longer, five-door version as well as a pickup truck available in addition to the three-door models sold elsewhere. The rear-wheel drive petrol-engined version, called Feroza (not to be confused with its smaller, unrelated F300-series sibling which is never sold in Indonesia) was introduced in 1993. The post-facelift F70s with a five-door body received new bodywork from the B-pillar back, with proper wind-down windows in the rear doors.

The 1.6 L petrol-engined Feroza was discontinued in 1999[10], then it was replaced by the more modern locally built Daihatsu Terios-based Taruna, still with the same 1.6 L HC-C petrol engine. The last Indonesian-built Taft model was made in 2007.[11]

• 
  Daihatsu Hiline 5-door
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  Daihatsu Hiline 5-door
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  Daihatsu Hiline 5-door
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  1995 Daihatsu Feroza
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  Later model Daihatsu Feroza
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  Later model Daihatsu Feroza
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  Daihatsu Feroza 5-door

Bertone Freeclimber

Bertone Freeclimber 6td (Italy)

Assembled in Grugliasco, Italy for European sales, the version called Bertone Freeclimber used mechanical components by Daihatsu, although it was powered by a BMW 2443 cc turbodiesel or one of two BMW petrol engines (1991 cc and 2693 cc), with a Bertone modified body. The first Freeclimber is a well-equipped, high-end deluxe (luxury car) off-roader produced from 1989 to 1992. In France, where only the diesel was available, the importer Chardonnet offered an even more luxurious version. Named after a perfume by Nicolas de Barry it was called "Blue Lagoon", and was available with either Alcantara or leather interior.[12] Bertone built about 2800 Freeclimbers, of two generations.[13] The Freeclimber II was based on the smaller F300-series Rocky/Feroza.

References

1. "Review Feroza 1993, Mobil Idaman Anak Muda Tahun 1990an" (in Indonesian). Cinta Mobil.
2. Kießler, Bernd-Wilfried (1992), Daihatsu Automobile: Erfahrung für die Zukunft (in German), Südwest, p. 68, ISBN 9783517012254
3. Kießler, p. 70
4. Verhelle, Tony (1985-02-07). "63e salon voor bedrijfsvoertuigen: Geen schokkende dingen" [The 63rd commercial vehicle exhibition: Nothing shocking]. De AutoGids (in Dutch). Brussels, Belgium: Uitgeverij Auto-Magazine. 6 (140): 17.
5. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (5 March 1992). Automobil Revue 1992 (in German and French). 87. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 224. ISBN 3-444-00539-3.
6. 4 alasan utama membeli... Daihatsu GTL Family Wagon [4 principal reasons to buy...] (brochure) (in Indonesian), Jakarta, Indonesia: PT Astra International, Inc: Motor Vehicle Division
7. Kießler, p. 71
8. Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1994 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1994. p. 653.
9. "Daihatsu Fourtrak (1984 - 2002) used car review". rac.co.uk.
10. Alfan, Charis. "Daihatsu Feroza" (in Indonesian). Mobil Motor Lama.
11. Anjungroso, Fajar (2018-08-31). "Generasi Terakhir Daihatsu Taft di Indonesia" [Last Generation Daihatsu Taft in Indonesia] (in Indonesian). Jakarta, Indonesia: TRIBUNnews.com. Archived from the original on 2019-04-19.
12. Bellu, René, ed. (September 1989). "Salon: Toutes les Voitures du Monde 90/91". l'Auto Journal (in French). Paris (14 & 15): 261.
13. Petrány, Máté (2017-12-15). "The BMW-Powered Daihatsu by Bertone". Road & Track.