Hi, I’m from Malaysia (MY) and I’m thinking of importing either L512s or L210s (those 3 door 4wd models).
As u might have known, in MY there’s a HUGE market for Dais (rebadged as Perodua there) but they never got a 3 door / 4wd version (since it’s for mass market - people’s car sort of thing) and there’s no snow (duh…) they don’t really need this platform. This is why I’m so interested in it, cause it’s super rare here (there are a few imported ones). I’m really itching to import one myself, the 35 year rule (cars can only be imported if they are <5yrs / > 35yrs) is nearly there for L512s, and we already can import L210s.
What I’m really afraid is rust (there WILL be and it can be fixed), and most worryingly, PARTS. Especially the suspension and drivetrain, mainly, the 4wd transfer case, drive shafts, rear diff, long shaft etc (stuff that makes the 4wd works, basically). I’m not too worried about the other stuff like body parts, lights, engines etc cause they have produced a lot more FF versions of these cars. Correct me if I’m wrong.
So my question is:
Are there other Dai (4wd) models that share parts with the L series cars and how interchangeable they are?
4wd models I have no idea about being from Australia. The only one here I really know of is Marty’s one from MCM. Mick who is on the forum did a Sirion/storia 4wd conversion from a 4wd into a 2wd in EU. Possibly there maybe some crossover there. Possibly.
thanks @evilhighway for responding. the 4wd model was not from Australia, at least, I don’t think it was. I remember it’s only for JDM, used primarily north of Japan due to the snowy conditions there.
I stumbled upon MCM’s black 4wd Mira’s series when doing some research, really well done. Their new aftermarket headlights were bought from Malaysia, what we call “Taiwan spec”, because (surprise surprise!) Dai ori headlights (or any kinda new OEM parts) are really expensive here, that’s a fun fact.
One of the reason we have to import the 4wd (3 door) model to our country instead of just modifying our Perodua Kancil model is because (a) we don’t officially have it here at all, so our road transport ministry database doesn’t have any record of it (b) it is illegal to fundamentally change the primary look of the car, for example, u swap in a 3 door shell to a 5 door model (c) since there wasn’t an official 4wd model here, it’s illegal to do it like MCM, changing the floor pan to accommodate the 4wd shaft. if we wanna do it, we have to go inspect and register it which is really hard and expensive for approval.
4WD Daihatsus were exported to Switzerland where mountainous winters faciliated a market for them. Stricter than average inspections and higher than average expendable income generally assured better vehicle maintenance than that in most European countries
the most important thing for AWD parts is rear parts. rear axle, drum, suspension and related to handling parts didn’t available in new condition. only can get used but super rare base on request to half cut workshop. rear shock still can get new from KYB SR from Japan. for front parts straightly bolt on with FWD version.