1983 Daihatsu F20 4WD from UK and Ireland - Comments

Engine suffered high oil consumption, transfer box leaked oil.

Tyres fell to bits before the tread was worn out due to the heat.

I owned this car when I worked in the Middle East, where it was used only for off-road trips.

The high oil consumption was caused by wear, due to the ingress of fine sand past the air filter. Despite changing the oil every 1500 miles it was always black. I suspect the piston rings were worn.

Offroad the weedy 1600cc Toyota engine lacked the power to tackle deep sand, but its light weight and small size allowed it to get to places big 4WDs couldn't.

The styling reminded me of Postman Pats van. Hardly ever seen in the UK now due to rust, the last one I saw looked suitable only for straining vegetables!

Mine was rust free, I did think about driving it back to the UK when I finished work, but when I was offered the same money I paid for it I decided against it. A 4WD with air-con, but no heater fitted? Ideal for North-country winters!

I have 2 diahatsu f20, one is a soft top the other a hard top that looks like postman pats van, is very good offroad, there was a lot of rust, but it has been sorted.

I also have an F20, absolutely wicked on the beach :) though you do have to rev the absolute hell out of it to get anywhere in the sand. Mine also suffers from heavy oil consumption, possibly due to the high rev requirements of offroad driving in such a vehicle. The rings are likely to be shot. I believe the F20 shares the same 1600 2R motor with some toyota corona and corrola models. Mine is almost dead from rust. It has been used by the sea in australia for many years, including in the water (!) so the rust has take its toll. Mine will also be a soft top soon due to rust : (

I have an F20 and its still in good condition. no rust yet and goes beautifully. it's a soft top. it goes out bush every weekend and goes where the big 4 wheel drives don't. I love the car.

Hi i´m ecuadorian and I have a f20, well, when some friends invited me to a 4x4 adventure trip, I thought that my 1980´s car was too old and... well let´s go. There were 12 cars, and all were about 1999 or newest, but my little tonka was the teacher, I really love my car, it´s a white hard top with many extras, tires, lights, audio system, etc.

I have had my F20LK (soft top) since 1978 and use it regularly for hang gliding. Only 120,000km on it, no rust and the engine is still perfect. I treated it with fisholene and Tectyl 506 (?) all over when new.

Had some trouble with the carburettor coming apart, but re-tapped screws out to 6mm fixed that. (It would cut out going round left turns)

I need a steering box as there is nearly half a turn of play in the steering when driving straight.

Congratulations, I live in Argentina and a F20 TAFT 1980 soft top is my 4X4. It is in original conditions with 70.000 kms. I think that it's the last light JEEP that we can really use in all kind of surfaces without excessive cares.

Bye, Alfonso.

I have a diahatsu scat or f20 1978 was full of rust in roof could have cut the roof off, but repaired it with galvanized iron from the dump painted it navy blue looks real flash only problem is it revs to high on high way would like to change the ratios in the diff what would fit does any one no thanks email is didgemick@yahoo.com.au.

My F20 was acquired as a wreck, it ran (just) and had a broken exhaust valve; the rear floor was shot, as was the drivers and passenger footwell.

Replacing the valve was easy as the Toyota 12R engine was used in many Toyota commercial vehicles, and available off the shelf.

Replacing the rear floor and wheel arches proved more time consuming as this required extensive fabrication work, this is now done, new flared wheel arches have been made, and all this from steel which was discarded from a local factory. All the underside has been rustproofed, and is considerably thicker than the original

Wiring is easy, I took the largest wire cutters to the loom, and cut the entire wiring loom out, new rear lights were fitted, and the entire wiring replaced.

Mechanically, the vehicle is perfect, despite spending more time off road, than on it, the only work required is new leaf springs, if I cannot buy them, I will make them myself.

Great usable classic vehicle in which you can have fun off road, and without the huge running costs of a Land Rover.

I have a Daihatsu Scatt or F20, and was wondering what are the largest tyres are that will go under the guards with flares fitted?

Thanks.

I have recently bought a 1982 daihatsu scat/taft 4x4.

Excellent condition, good motor, and very slow. Still trying to find out about gearbox conversions. I hear 1983 onwards have a five speed. Try finding one in adelaide south australia. Rarer than hens teeth. Possibly some old toyota gearboxes will fit, and engine parts will have to come from the toyota 12r motor (corolla). Any useful parts or info call me on 08 8254 2458 or 0439 433 780.

Happy motoring.

I have an F20 but with a GRP body so no rust problems. It is really cute and has obviously had a lot of money spent on it. It pulled the local farmer's landrover out of the mud the other day (sideways). My son used it to chain harrow our field and being 17 he did it at pretty high speed! He managed to rip out most of the wiring by getting it tangled around the prop shaft, but she still works fine. A remarkable little 4X4 but I have now bought a vintage Tractor so she wil no longer be used around the farm. Anyone interested in a rot free F20? Graham 07711 929013.

Hi all.

Does anybody know where I can get a soft top for my Daihatsu Feroza?

I got it as a present and since I've had it I've had to change the alternator but nothing else - well the front pipe and manifold went recently but I sealed them with exhaust putty and now the car just has added growl :) I was up a mountain in West Cork in it today. Love this car!!!

If anybody has any clue where to buy a soft top please email me :

conorslattery@hotmail.com.

Thanks a million in advance for any information :)

Conor.

I have a Scat Deluxe with 5 speed gear box. Does anyone have a workshop manual that I could buy or somehow copy?

Also can someone tell me where I find the compliance plate?

The only numbers I can find that identify it in any way are on the chassis rail near front wheel.

Regards

Bart Irwin.

I have had my little F20 for 12 yrs now. It spent 2 years on the road and the rest of the time being trialed off road.

I now go tagging in it and regularly finish in the top 3, beating lots of big exotica with every mod you can think of such as diff locks, jack ups, and monster tyres and big V8s.

The only thing changed on my little jeep is the tyres. The body is falling apart, but it still goes every time. I love my little jeep.

We're doing up a 1978 Daihatsu Scat and its fantastic except it has no door locks or ignition lock. Wondering if anyone has any advice on finding parts, or if newer model Daihatsu locks will fit ours?? Email: suncatwave@hotmail.com