Read this it may help

Heres a wee list of potential problems I put together for another prospectivr Trak buyer............

1. Many older traks suffer BADLY from rust...as I mentioned in my posting..check under wheel arches and behind plastic arch trims..also under carpet
in the cabin (do not be afraid to get the seller to lift the carpets..also in the rear end compartment floor behind back seats. Rust within 30 mm of body mounting or seatbelt mounting is an instant M.O.T. failure.

2. Leaking fuel tanks are also a real problem..the steel they used to manufacture them was crap.Its a pain to remove one and repair it ..if it can be repaired (I know cos I've done one)

3.The wiring harness chaffs on a chassis cross member just in front of nearside rear wheel (again this happened to me)..its a potential fire hazzard. If you do buy this car..get some of that polysterene pipe lagging from BandQ and lag the harness at potential friction points.

4. Check all the obvious things work e.g. lights ,horn, heater.indicators,rear window demister, etc.

5,. Have the seller demonstrate 4 wheel drive engagement for you. There is often a problem with the 4wd indicator light in the cabin (it often dont work)..not really a problem as long as 4wd engages..you have to lock the front wheel hubs manually before engaging 4wd.(unless it has automatic hubs)

6. Take the vehicle for a long run (at least 5 miles).Get it it up to 70mph ....listen for any strange knocking noises when changing gear or accelerating/decelarating.In fact any untoward noises at all should raise your suspiscions.I know we are talking old vehicle here..but they can be expensive to repair if there is a major problem. I paid ?1000 for my 87 track and promptly spent another grand sorting it out..and its' still a rust bucket . Make sure TEMPERATURE of engine remains normal and does not overheat.

7. 4trak engines are great..they will go forever if regularly maintained..they require regular oil changes (every 3000 miles)..check for smokey exhaust..get seller to rev
engine hard and you check out the exhaust...if white or black smoke is exsessive..walk away (blueish smoke suggest a set of new glow plugs is required). Remember that emissions are part of M.O.T. test and they are getting stricter (although if it has a recent M.O.T. then it should be ok.You can use engine additives to keep engine clean.

8. If you can ..get under vehicle grab hold of the main propshaft..near the flange where the prop meets differential (rear axle) ..give it a good old yank about..there should be no or very little movement of prop.

9.Check shock absorbers are ok and look at general condition of springs and steering linkages etc..again if it has recent M.O.T. these should be ok.

10. Dont be pressured into buying if you are not happy with anything....there are loads of 4 traks about and its worth finding a good un ! ..try searching on www.autotrader.co.uk for Daihatsu,Fourtrak and see what you come up with..I bet you will be suprised.You can stipulate distance from you, price etc.

Hi folks

Heres a contribution to get the forum started...

The wiring loom on the 4trak is clipped underneath the vehicle on the nearside. Just in front of the rear wheel it goes up and over a chassis cross member...on older vehicles it can get chaffed with the constant rubbing on this cross member. Personal experience has shown me that if this happens a major short can occur. This is a potential fire hazzard.11 of the 24 wires that run through the loom melted together on my vehicle causing huge problems with the wiring.
I urge all 4trak owners (especially those who have older vehicles)to check their wiring loom.

Contamination of rear brakes.........Another annoying problem I have experienced is the failure of the rear half shaft oil seals..if this happens axle oil will get into the brake drum and contaminate the brake shoes..instant m.o.t. failure.

Replacement seals are available from Millners for pennies.
You will have to strip down the brake and use a puller to remove the the half shaft..very easy to do.Replacement of seals is a cinch !