Rugger, Blizzard, Feroza, Rocky

fweddy · Post by **fweddy** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 10:18 am

What info can you give regarding these vehicles

I figure Feroza is the NZ new equlivent of the Rocky both 1600 and marketed by Diahatsu.

The Rugger and Blizzard also seem to be the same vehicle and have 2.8 turbos and are marketed by Toyota.

The 2 Toyotas seem a more robust vehicle than the 2 Diahatsus - what else can you tell me about them and the preferences between them?

Toyhatsu · Post by **Toyhatsu** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 11:33 am

Jerrys got a rugger so he can give you first hand knowledge, but the Blizzard has a 2.4 turbo diesel (2lt) while the rugger has a 2.8 turbo diesel (dlt dl51 etc). The rugger/blizzard is a good beefy if basic vehicle with some versions having beam axles and leaf springs all round as well as a good sized chassis. They are known as a daihatsu fourtrak in the uk where they are a popular alternative for the land rover defenceless as a farmers vehicle. They have a good following over there and there is a web site which relates to them http://www.daihatsu-drivers.co.uk.

Jerry might be able to tell you if the blizzard has got hilux running gear or if it has the same diffs,gearbox etc as the rugger. If the blizzard has hilux running gear then you could use the hilux lockers etc. If not then my pick would be the rugger as it has the 2.8 turbo which is more powerful and not as likely to crack heads as the 2.4 td in the blizzard.

If you are looking to go hard then the blizzard/rugger is probably the better choice, if only because of the beam axle front and rear. A possible alternative is the pre 94 prado swb with coil springs and beam axles all round, but with hilux running gear so no probs with getting lockers, gearboxes etc.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Mon Oct 23, 2006 2:57 pm

Happy enough with my Rugger (NZ New Rocky/Import Rugger), happily towed 2 competitor vehicles at the deadwood yesterday one was on a trailer attached to a ute....

Articulation is ok given they are leafs (newer ones are coils)

Good Points: Suzuki Sized with a 2.8 turbo diesel,

Things to consider are that parts are sometimes hard to find, off the shelf bits to add on are hard to find as well, if you were looking for a good vehicle to mod look at a vitara/escudo or a swb early prado or swb landcruiser

echothreezero · Post by **echothreezero** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:48 pm

I recently bought a Rugger and it is proving to be a good truck, however, I trashed the front diff a couple of weeks ago pushing it a bit too hard up some terraces.

I havn't pulled the diff apart but I assume the spider gear has gone. Where can I find a replacement diff? Are there any more common diffs from other makes that would fit?

Cheers.

Since this pic was taken a winch and decent m/t tyres have been added along with several less noticeable changes.

muddy · Post by **muddy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:00 pm

Before spending dough on a weak diff - consider getting hold of a pair of hilux axles. A couple of local ruggers have done that (SOA) and the wider axle allows the extra height without getting too "tippy". Added bonus of stronger driveline, & easy to get parts. Try for low ratio diffs though..

echothreezero · Post by **echothreezero** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 2:09 pm

That's the sort of info I'm after. Any links to people who have done this so I don't have to figure it out as I go? I have very little experience working on 4x4's (but am about to get some it seems) as all my previous spanner-slinging experience has been on sports cars.

Which axles work? Are there any issues with certing ? (the truck is still wof'd and used on the road between off-roading events).

Cheers.

Sorry if this is a bit of a thread hijack.

muddy · Post by **muddy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:50 pm

Sorry - can't help with the detail - but it would need a cert. Makes a pretty good truck tho - strong enough to take lockers & more horsepower further down the track...