Daihatsu Rocky
It was the dawn of the present-day SUVs, say around 1990. The huge Chevy Suburban and Blazer had been with us for some time, but they hadn't yet crossed over into the auto-buying mainstream. The Ford Explorer and Mazda Navajo were brand new. The word "craze" did not apply to the old behemoths, but when mid-sized SUVs like the Explorer debuted, their sales took off like rockets.
At the same time, the Suzuki Samurai was on the outs because, like Mayberry's Otis Campbell, it had a reputation for being a little "tipsy." Yet there seemed to be a market for a compact SUV, especially for thrifty folks like yours truly.
Enter Daihatsu. The name "Daihatsu" is a combination of the first kanji for "Osaka", and the first kanji of the word "engine manufacturer." When put together, they are pronounced "dai hatsu." With only two vehicles in its American lineup (1988-1992), Daihatsu struggled to keep up with the established brands. The company only offered the compact Charade and Rocky. The Charade was a car, and a bit plain at best. The Rocky was a small SUV that, had it been a bit more refined, could have been a big hit in our market. Comparing the Rocky to the more-familiar Samurai just seems natural here.
I had the pleasure of keeping a new Rocky for a few days as a test vehicle back when it launched. In addition to highway driving, I took it off-road on some farms, but nothing real serious. My attitude was to return the vehicles in as good of shape as I received them, if not better. So forging streams and jumping dirt mounds was out of the question.
The Rocky had the tight, well-built feel of all Asian vehicles of the time. All the pieces fit together well. If I had not been in need of a pickup truck with an open bed to tote smelly fossil fuels around in, the Rocky would have been a good candidate for my next vehicle.
Its styling was pleasant enough. The character lines all flowed together, door hinges were concealed, and the wheel arches and large tires were macho enough to say "rugged" without being a Jeep poseur. The design looks clean today.
Like the Samurai, all Rockys were two-doors with manual transmissions and four-wheel-drive. The Rocky had a five-speed; the Samurai had a four-speed. Air conditioning was extra. The Rocky was also available in different open-roofed configurations; the one I drove featured a hinged hard top over the front passengers. A soft canvas top covered the back, and a rear hardtop was an option.
The Rocky was just big enough to live with. I enjoyed the Samurai (aka SJ-410) that we rented in The Bahamas, where there were no interstates and the fastest speed limit was 45. But back here in the States, a little more mass is needed to feel safe above 55. If you've ever caught a wind gust while in a high-profile vehicle, you know what I mean. At least the Rocky felt adequate on the highways of middle Tennessee.
The low points of the Rocky were its lack of power and poor interior design. With just 1.6 liters and 94 horsepower, doing burn-outs while leaving the drive-in were impossible. Zero to 60 times were, well, leisurely. Top speed? In one of these vehicles? Uh-uh, not while I'm in it.
I'm not a big guy, but my right knee almost became sore from bumping the obtrusive radio/HVAC control housing. To live with a Rocky, some form of padding there would have been necessary. The radio was way too low to safely reach while driving; most newer vehicles have reversed this placement of the radio and A/C controls.
Our final verdict of the Rocky was that it was a glorified Samurai, and maybe a bit better planted on the road. Today, a new Rocky-type vehicle could be a success. Just give it some decent power, a few comfort goodies, and please remove that awful knee-knocker.
The first image is from Wikipedia, the second is from DougFreeze.com, and the third image is from Industriebedarf-hesse.de.
--That Car Guy (Chuck)
Shawn on June 16, 2009 at 11:43 AM
I always admired the Rocky when new in magazines, but didn't get to see one until a trip to California at the time. I don't think Daihatsu's distribution was very good. In a medium-large city like my own St. Louis, you couldn't even buy one. Maybe it was for the best, I always heard the Charade was a dog. With better a better dealership network maybe the Rocky could've been a better challenger to the aged Samurai.
I also remember reading years ago that the producers of the film Rocky actually sued Daihatsu for use of the name. Not sure what the outcome was but it was somewhat of a stretch.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on June 16, 2009 at 01:17 PM
If only they'd offered a "Bullwinkle Designer Edition" option package, . . .
...m... on June 16, 2009 at 05:35 PM
...ohmigosh, that interior is *fantastic*!..
...there used to be a fleet of tiny daihatsu trucks swarming the grounds at texas a&m university back around the time daihatsu was experimenting with the american market - not much larger than golf carts, really, some with closed van-backs and some with short shallow pickup beds...i always thought they were neat little cars which looked fun to own for their bare-bones simplicity, but i've never seen them beyond that physical plant fleet: they were probably kei cars imported for off-road use only...
CJinSD on June 16, 2009 at 11:37 PM
The Suzuki Samarais sold in the US were 5-speed equipped SJ413 models. The Samarai I rented in Costa Rica in 1995 had a 5-speed too, although judging by its top speed of 110 kph it might not have had as much power as the US version.
A friend of mine had a Daihatsu Rocky that he bought new and kept into the mid '90s. By that time parts had become an issue, as Toyota had long since pulled Daihatsu from the US market. I think the Rocky went to pasture over unavailable front brake and wheel bearing parts. There was hope that the front end shared its design with Toyota pickups, but it wasn't the case, IIRC. Today the internet is a big help in finding obscure stuff, but it didn't even dawn on us to look at the internet for car parts in 1995, and I think that was when my friend gave up on a Rocky that was worth about $50 as a trade in since it didn't have brakes.
natureb on June 17, 2009 at 09:01 AM
I loved my Rocky. I live in Maryland but I purchased my 1991 Rocky new in Guam when I was stationed there. I was shipped back to California where I finished my duty. Drove it back to Maryland. I has been to from NY to Florida. I had it for 12 years with 152K miles. It lived through two Clutches, three sets if tires, three sets of front brakes (original back brakes shoes). The death nail was a broken timing belt that I purchased about two weeks before it broke.
In your blog you stated that it was compared to the Samurai but it was compared to the Suzuki Sidekick/GEO Tracker. The problem was Daihatsu did not team up with the an American car company like Suzuki did, so they were fighting an uphill battle. The other fault was that from 1989 to 1992 there was no changes in the product. Hyundai tooks there bumps in the road and kept improving their products.
All the things that you had problem with the Rocky was the best things about the Rocky. But you forgot one thing about the rocky. First, to get in the back seat, you need to step sideways because the center beam was in the way. As all my friends who sat in the back. One of the coolest things about the Rocky, is they give you a screw driver with the jack kit. I was like lego set that can be taken and configured differently.
Overall, I enjoyed the vehicle even going up the mountains of PA. I would loved to have another one if knew that I could find the parts easy.
Thanks for the memories.
natureb
natureb on June 17, 2009 at 09:21 AM
Sorry, there was something that the Samurai influenced the Rocky, the turning radius. I think I may have done a dozen U-Turns in the Rocky but you need a football field to do it with. I became a pro at the three-point turn (sometimes four-point if it was tight) The wide wheel base (this would never tip over even if you hit a turn at 100mph)was the cause of this.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater on June 17, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Wouldn't the initial RAV4 qualify as the latest revision of this? I don't think you could get much smaller/lighter and still qualify for tolerable IIHS crash ratings...
Also, early Dodge Raider/Mitsubishi Montero? That might be pushing the definition a bit, but they were also available with smaller 4-cyl motors and 2 doors, and more legroom...
DamnCat on June 17, 2009 at 12:37 PM
This is a little off topic I would love some insight on this...
What ever happened to the small Japanese pickups? In the 1970's there were little Datsun and Toyota trucks everywhere. I would love to have a small pickup but there just doesn't seem to be anything like these now. The Japanese trucks all look like American trucks (the Mazda actually is a Ford, I think) or look like SUVs with half the roof removed. Isn't there a market for the small, basic pickup?
That Car Guy on June 17, 2009 at 12:45 PM
To DamnCat: I did a post on the Ford Ranger/Mazda pickup on this blog a couple of months ago. I agree with your sentiments entirely; I'd love another small pickup. The new Toyota is actually very close to the dimensions of the Ranger.
That Car Guy on June 17, 2009 at 12:47 PM
DamnCat: Here's a link to the Ranger post:
http://www.carlustblog.com/2009/04/ford-ranger.html
iowavette on June 17, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Yawn.
Chris Hafner on June 17, 2009 at 02:31 PM
iowavette: "Yawn."
This seeming disinterest contradicts your willingness to evidently read the piece, leave a comment, and validate your identity.
Anthony Cagle on June 17, 2009 at 02:39 PM
*snerk*
roger h on June 17, 2009 at 02:43 PM
A Charade was my first new car. Loved it. A little slow on hills but, got over 42 mpg on the highway (never got that with my Geo Metro). Air conditioning, power windows, comfortable seats.
I traded it in when the US market was closing and I was worried about parts. Got a Justy 4WD that was fun but, never as comfortable. I still have the Justy though.
roger on June 17, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Agree with you completely about the daihatsu being underpowered and a bit rough, ergonometrically, but I think you missed the point about the samurai. Suzuki (and I now drive a V6 Grand Vitara) made the best-ever 4WD and did so at its first attempt to crack the 4WD market. The three-cylinder two-stroke LJ50, circa 1973, took me places I wouldn't even consider in the Land Rovers and Nissan Patrols I have also owned. It looked cute, but the "toy" look shouldn't detract from its performance off-road. The only other vehicle that compared with its clambering, unstoppable instinct to crawl over any and all obstacles is the Hafflinger.
Suzuki stuffed the pooch by switching to the samurai and discontinuing the LJ50. They should have kept both lines going -- the four-stroke for giddy girls going to get the hair cut at the mall and the two-stroke for off-road expeditionists (and manly blokes) like me. Killing the LJ50 was such a dumb decision it's a wonder [no politics].
Tommy's Dad on June 17, 2009 at 05:52 PM
I love that second picture- reminds me of a "generations" picture, there's Grandpa in back, then Dad, then the youngest up front. What a charming little truck! I imagine the knee-knocker would be a problem for me too, but if I could deal with that I see this being fun and useful in a dozen different ways. Well, mostly just fun.
Matt Groom on June 17, 2009 at 07:29 PM
I always liked these small, jeep-like trucks. Modern Jeeps are too big and too damned expensive for a utilitarian vehicle I intend to take off road! The problem has always been the power plant was always about as powerful as, well, a plant.
I had heard that the Suzukies were given a torqued-up version of their largest motorcycle engine, and having looked under the hood of a Samurai (but never having driven one) I can see how that could be possible. We certainly didn't have any Daihatsus here in FL, but a whole lot of Geo Trackers and Suzuki Samurais.
If somebody would build one with a Diesel in it, I'd be at the dealership on payday.
Jim on June 17, 2009 at 08:03 PM
I'll give this comment here, but could also apply over on the Ford Ranger post.
It's predecessor, the Courier is the one I miss. I believe it was the inverse of the present Ranger/Mazda B2000/B3000 series, in that the Courier was built by Mazda and rebadged a Ford.
Damn Cat's got it right. The innumerable small Japanese trucks which rolled the roads in the '70s and early'80s just flat rocked. Anvil reliable, economical, entertaining and amazingly useful. All truck, no toy.
I'd love to see a modern, minimalist version of those.
Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX
CJ on June 17, 2009 at 08:10 PM
I remember the small pickups too. A lot of construction companies around this area (Vancouver, B.C.) had them in the late 70s/early 80s after the first gas spike. The Ford Courier was made by Mazda. It got driven by a lot of construction foremen/estimators/inspectors who needed to zip around between jobsites and maybe bring out a few pieces of equipment or materials. However, it seems that small pickups just don't sell the way large pickups do when gas is cheap. GM made a small pickup called the S-10 for a while but I haven't seen any around for some time. It could just about have been carried in the bed of a Nissan Titan or Ford Super Duty.
Toyota and Honda are great car companies, but not everything from Japan is great. Companies like Suzuki and Mitsubishi have been trying to break into the North American market bigtime for years, but it hasn't happened. That's probably because their products just aren't that outstanding, but in the case of Daihatsu you also have to wonder about the marketing. A car called the Charade? Why not the Phony or the Bogus? A mini-Jeep called the Rocky? Maybe a larger-size version could have been the Bullwinkle.
Cynedra on June 18, 2009 at 07:10 AM
Matt - I have to disagree with you on the no Daihatsus in Florida. My brother and family bought theirs in Lakeland in 1990, and it is still going. They have had some issues with getting parts, but eventually it happens. I am hoping he will get a chance to review this article and make a comment on it. I would have got one myself back then, but I'm addicted to automatic and got a Mazda B2200 instead. My BIL still has that truck and it is still going too.
Jason on June 18, 2009 at 10:33 AM
I liked these Diahatsu and also thought well of the Samarai, but owned neither. The Samarai didn't have a tipping problem until Consumer Reports manufactured it. I have to say though, the best iteration of the small but capable 4WD was the 2 door Montero/Raider. I test drove one and almost bought it but changed my mind as I really couldn't stretch the budget at the time, and this was a used vehicle after production had stopped. A very cool vehicle that is very capable.
Jason on June 18, 2009 at 10:34 AM
Oh yeah, I hate to be a pest, but I have been promised an MGB article here and I am still waiting. I know it likely was bumped due to the GM/Chrysler news, the death of Pontiac, andother legitimate posts like ths one, but is it coming or do I need to write it myself?!
That Car Guy on June 18, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Jason, it's written, and I'm finalizing the credits, then it'll be edited and posted when they can. Sorry about the delay.
David Colborne on June 18, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Daihatsu just came at a bad time. They tried to get established a year after Hyundai and Yugo taught dealers to be wary of new brands and all that quality problems they can bring - this is unfortunate since, compared to those two, Daihatsus were bulletproof.
As for small SUVs and trucks... whodathunk that we'd wake up one day and be nostalgic for the vehicles of the '80s?! In all seriousness, though, yeah... it's strange. You can get a disposable car in just about any flavor you want now, but you absolutely cannot get a disposable SUV or truck anymore. It's a pity because, if given half a chance, I'd love to buy one. It'd make my numerous trips out in the desert far more interesting.
Grover R.. on June 21, 2009 at 09:42 AM
I have a 1991 Rocky and it is still on the road. It has been one of the most dependable things I have ever owned...absolutely amazing. A lot of fun to drive, but the worst thing about it is its turn radius...A U-turn is totally out of the question!!! But, parts are getting real scarce and the dealership is still flabergasted when I bring it in for service...I'm just waiting for something big to beak down that can't be repaired, but until then, it keeps on ticking and serves me well. Don't know what I'm going to do without it!