Shitrak update - 600 miles in 3 days in the nasty winter

[scooters]

OK, since collecting the Shitrak on Tuesday night I have now completed 600 winter miles in it in the last 3 days and here are my findings.The Shitrak was an early example of a ‘Lifestyle’ SUV and Daihatsu’s entry into the non hairy arsed farmer market. By 1996 – the year of my upmarket model the ELi the car had such refinements as Electric Windows, a button for unlocking the boot from the driver’s seat!, a stereo! And…with an hour and some spanners and screw drivers the roof can come off giving you the sort of hairdressing beach lifestyle any self respecting urbanite would crave!!!....only…..under the veneer it is still a highly agricultural vehicle…which might not be such a bad thing.I will post up some photos but let me give you a quick review first.I’ve done 600+ miles in the last 3 days – through serious blizzards, deep snow, off road and on motorway and though very cold temperatures – last night in particular driving from St Albans to Edinburgh up the M6/M74/M8. The car feels a lot bigger and more powerful than it is – bigger because you actually sit quite high and it looks like my one may have been jacked up an inch or so (quite a common mod). It feels powerful because it is a fairly light weight vehicle. The 1.6 engine s a roarty affair which tappets away quite happily – to be honest you would not want any more power with the set up the car has it would probably make it a hairy handler.The interior is surprisingly comfortable and cosy – if you are over 6ft then it would be difficult to find a decent driving position – the sears are well supported and absorb the more choppy moments. Driving position is good with excellent visibility and it is easy to see what is going on round the car. The controls are all in easy reach and simple enough although many of the bulbs behind some of the switches are out so you have to learn where the controls are. The fibre glass roof is solid and well insulated – the heater is very effective as you would expect form a Jap. Previous owner had taken out the carpets and replaced with rubber – a good idea in the cold as the damp just causes problems.Exterior is decent enough – good headlights but I would fit some low level driving lamps for blizzard driving – I might do this this weekend – roof mounted ones would be hopeless as they would serve to illuminate the flakes and mesmerise the driver. Ice can build up on the headlights. The windscreen wipers desperately need some of those rally fins in these conditions. They suffer from icing up – every 30 mins I had to stop and chip the ice off them – mind you it was so cold last night that I had 100% windscreen washer in the bottle and it was still freezing the moment it touched the screen. Body work is in excellent fettle having been recently undersealed – a small amount of bubbling at the bottom of the off side windscreen – I will inject some wax into this.The engine is a reconned unit with only 30k so far on it – seems solid enough – might need a new clutch soon though as it did slip slightly but this might have to do with the -17 degrees last night so will leave it till it is warmer and make a call.The Shitrak is essentially an engine strapped to a very strong chassis and as such, lacks the refinement of later hairdressing SUVs but this is what makes it an idea contender for an entry level 4x4 or a cheap ute – yes the luggage space is non existent but this would never be your main form of transport – bloody handy in the snow and ice and going to the dump etc though.The ride is ok in 2WD and more refined than you would think. In 4DW it becomes choppy and you have to feather the clutch gently. This is a SWB lightweight agricultural vehicle so it will never be as smooth as an XM or and normal car for that matter but ….as it proved time and time again this week – it will get you where you need to go – and will do so within the national speed limit.I must say – I love it! What a great wee truck – the reputation it gained as a failed hairdressers SUV is exactly why it is good as a work horse. You can even get a roof rack for it to sort the lack of luggage with 4 passengers. This afternoon we got the 3 year old, the baby and the pram in with minimal hassel and tackled the icy streets of Edinburgh – great wee nipper. MOT next month but as I only paid £500 for it I can live with simple repairs – parts are cheap as you like for these things as many 2nd hand available and service items widely and cheaply available.Will I keep it beyond the winter? Well, we will see – I have 6 cars now and I may keep it just ‘cos it is quite useful and the fact is that the Mrs won’t let the kids in the moggy (no seat belts) the daf (the same) or the Golf ( rear lap belts)will get some photaes up this weekend

[trigger]

It sounds like £500 well spent, And the perfect week to test it out as well.

[Mr Lobster]

Sounds like you got a good 'un there then! If its been ok this week then it should be ok with whatever you can throw at it.

[scooters]

indeed - pig to drive at speed on motorway but no worse than a SWB Defender. Am very tired today after yesterday's marathon though!

[Tayne]

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[dollywobbler]

AFAIK, they don't have a centre-diff so I agree. Unless the going is very slippy, keep out of 4WD. You might find it also gets very hard to make tight turns in 4WD.

[Gompo]

Good review. I always prefered these to the competition from Suzuki.