1979 Daihatsu F50 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing whatsoever that could be blamed on the car, only an old battery that needed replacing and a sheared wheel nut.

This is Daihatsu F50, but not as most people will know it. It had a glassfibre Jeep-alike shell grafted onto it in 1986 and goes under the name of 'Eagle RV DB 50'. Okay... so it's a kitcar, but it isn't shoddy in any way.

It's truly brilliant off the road, despite slightly low ground clearance at some points, i.e. the fuel tank, diff casings. Shove it into 2nd low, engage the hubs and it'll get out of just about anything. The axle articulation is only adequate, but it's probably better than the 'Series' Land Rover.

It's amazingly well balanced on the road, probably a lot to do with the short wheel base, short overhangs, and stiff leaf springs. Though of course you'll never corner at more than 35 or 40 mph...

It maxes out at about 65 mph until you die of buffeting from the soft top. But you can still hold conversations in it!

Given its age (24 years later this year) you'd expect everything to feel rough and notchy, but it's a testament to Daihatsu reliability that everything still works smoothly. At 75,000 miles it's hardly run in...

If anyone's interested, there are photos of and info about the F50 here - http://www.geocities.com/ibrokemytelescope/daihatsuf50.html.

I have a 1983 F50, for over 5 years now, yes it's true that it has remarkable offroad capabilities, in fact I've been tortured it from the time since I bough it.

The car is well constructed, the chassis is very rigid, and the body roll is slight. Compared to the 1977 CJ5 JEEP, which I had earlier, the F50's has better handling and the parts is tougher than the CJ5's.

The car dimension is quite tiny, but for some cases, it helps much, like when I drove it through the bushes, and for sometimes I drove it over the cliffs.

What is very remarkable from this car is its low gearing, which can support go-anywhere vehicle.

Yes, the car is lacking of comfort, its noisy.

Yes, A Daihatsu F50 is really a strong car. the minus points are almost every F50 will start rusting under the dashboard in the corners and and your feat in the corners.

The body isn't good resist against the European weather.

Mechanical the 2500diesel will go on and on and on.. yup it's like an old landcruiser engine only a smaller bore.

The worst part of this old 4wheel drive is I can't find any maintenance book. there should also be a English company who made glassfiber body's for it..any info?

I have a 1980 F50 great car, I have owned it for 17 years, it has towed a two ton tandem trailer for over 80,000 kilometers and has just clocked 400,000 k, still going strong, have rebuilt the motor, trans,rear diff, 250,000 ks ago. Still take it up the bush and goes where $45000 L/cruises go, All my mates love "THE DAIHATSU"

Paul H

Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia.

The English company making GRP bodies for Daihatsu F20/F50/F70's is IJF Developments of Rishton near Blackburn Lancs - web address http://www.grp.co.uk/four.html.

My father's got a 1979 F50 2.5 diesel 5 speed fitted with their Saxon Crusader estate body which is now for sale if anyone is interested. Contact me on stephen@sthopwood.freeserve.co.uk for any more details.

I own a F50 2.5 diesel that has completed over 300.000 miles all mechanics are original except for the Saxan Crusader body from IJF developments the body is the prototype from IJF and is over 10 yrs old, I have not had any problems with the body or mechanical components I have owned the vehicle since 1981 and is used in my business The vehicle was featured in The International Kit Car Magazine and they want to do a follow up, The only problem I have Is getting Spares. I have just had new road springs made by Owen Springs of Doncaster and the set only cost £280.00 pounds including Vat and Bushes. The only other comment I can make is that this 4x4 is a cracker!

David a muttock The Six Counties Deer Group England.

For the last 4 years I have owned a 1979 Daihatsu F50, 2.5 Diesel 4 speed. Up until then the Daihatsu had one owner from new and from Austraila, so the body work is in very good condition, original panels, no rust. Over the last 4 years I have carried out modifications.

* Five Speed Gearbox

* Front Disc Brakes

* Straight through Exhaust (BigBore4 rear box)

* Dragon Alloys

* BF Goodrich Mud Terrain 235/75/R15

* Fitted Side Steps

* Checker Plating

* Raised Air intake

* Sprayed from Meadow Green to British Racing Green

* Fitted Power Steering off a Daihatsu Fourtrak

* Fitted 2.8 TDX Turbo Diesel Engine

* Tuned Fuel Pump.

Through making these slight modifications I am happy with the out come as it now a superb all rounder 4x4.

If you would like any information regarding the above, or pictures please contact stevensneo@aol.com.

I agree!

I have owned an F50 based kit car since 1997 and find that it is great off-road and ultra reliable. It has now covered over 100K miles and still going strong. Mine has a Jago body fitted. To see pics of my car look here >>> www.fl4t.com <<<

It is a shame that the original bodies fitted to these cars always rusted badly.

Dave.

Tough little brute, good workhorse. Overinflation of the tyres makes for improved road handling! Noisy and rough, but never wears out, tows well although a bit light for serious towing.. easy on fuel as these things go.

I am a daihatsuF50 owner from malta since 3yrs.i apriciate if someone give me details where I can find parts.thanks.

Matt.

http://www.daihatsu-drivers.co.uk/node/532 <---- my baby bought september 2005... since these pics were taken its had some eagle stickers n stuff added not by me I might add.. but this old gal is used every day.. and still only has 76k on the clock so I guess the engine should be good for a few more K's.

I now have my dear late Father's 1979 F50 tray back and it's an absolute gem. Everything appears in wonderful order, but I'd like to know where I may be able to get a workshop manual. Any suggestions?

Hi guys I own a 1980's Daihatsu F50V It is fully original stock as tough as a rock, but none the less needs TLC. Anyone interested who wants to buy this dream project beast off me make an offer and it's yours. Southwestwa@hotmail.com

Long Live the Tanks.

G’day.

I have a 1979 daihatsu F50 4x4 I’ve had it since 1987.

Everything on it is original. The main problem with this model is rust, but I have this beaten I think. I live in a dry area of northern Australia.

The engine had to be overhauled because some silly fuel attendant filled it with petrol, so I had to replace a burnt out piston and replaced all the rings and bearings At the same time, that was about five years ago.

I own a Daihatsu F50 (1979) Still doing fine. If somebody can let me know a suitable power steering unit and a brake pump with servo for this, it is a great help. I have a copy of the instruction manual. If some body interested can scan it and email.