OKA 009 has catastrophic failure.

[@RossiTuono]

I drive the first Oka up north. I worked for Travelabout 4x4 tours. He ended up with about 10 Okas as eell as oter configurations. I had stiff gearchanges in one. It was not old and persevered for the whole Perth Broome Darwin Alice Perth 4 weeks with 12 passengers luggage food and camping gear. No trailer. Never was fond of Oka's. This was about 30 years ago. I would go Canter anyday. Or the best units i drove for tours were 25 seat Isuzu 8 ton truks. 1 fridge, 4 eskys, 1 fluro light for the kitchen and 1 three ring gas burner, 2 camp ovens. Now days people over complicate what you need.

[@johnbodnar3720]

Thanks for information, having similar problems, will look into

[@thomo59]

The biggest issue I had was the clutch not releasing properly. I fought this for 3 years before finding what it was, just before having the motor replaced! The gear changes are so much better (though still truck like). There is an inspection plate under the bell housing and you can clearly see the clutch plate and flywheel, this is how I finally worked out what the problem was. I have since found out that the actuator arm is a known issue that either bends of breaks inside the bell housing. I was lucky it broke outside. When the motor was replace the actuator arm was replaced with a much stronger custom model.

[@michaelguerin56]

Thank you. Classic situation … the one thing you did not look at! Been there, done that😁!

[@wa4wd]

It's always the last thing you look at too. We did have work done on the clutch when we bought the truck...just assumed it was fixed properly

[@jaytee5410]

My XT broke the rod from the pedal, in traffic.... I replaced it with some stainless rod with opposing threads and clevis pins, so I can do some minor adjustments inside the cab. It helps.

[@wa4wd]

I had the whole cable replace when the engine was replaced. I am much more confident with it now. It was a prick of a job made easy only by having all the front panels and roo bar removed.

[@jaytee5410]

@@wa4wd Cheers. Pulling the front panels off is a shortlist job. Rust behind them... of course.

[@InoFughaul]

Pain in the bum trying to track it down! Glad you found the problem and it was nothing too serious.... Enjoy!!!

[@wa4wd]

New motor gearbox and transfer case now!

[@InoFughaul]

@@wa4wd lol... Not sure what to say...Ummmm.... Enjoy your new motor gearbox and transfer case! 😐 Edit... How's the diffs? 🤣

[@catherinesarah5831]

If the gear box has sun to rings there’s no need to use the clutch, only to engage & use 1st gear. All the rigid 5 speed trucks I’ve driven I’ve only ever used the clutch to engage 1st, all other changes both up & down I matched engine speed to road speed & the gears have just slid in & out. 🙏

[@InoFughaul]

I know you've had issues but at the end of the day how have you found the QKA. Would you buy another one if that one was written off for some reason or would you go with something else? I am toying with the idea of buying one although I am also considering a Canter or Perentie 6x6 based platform. EDIT: Anything I buy will be pre-Euro 3... ie, mechanically injected, no ECU.

[@thomo59]

That's good question. With the money we spent we could have bought a new Ram or the like. But the Oka is very simple, pretty easy to work on and tough. It is good off road, not uncomfortable. And unique. They are also the same track as a patrol or cruiser so they fit on the dirt tracks well. Bigger trucks may struggle and risk punctures. The uniqueness is a big plus, but also is biggest down side. Unless you buy a brand new one, you have to be prepared to let the moths our of you wallet.

[@InoFughaul]

@@thomo59 I'm not going near a modern engine again. I have had more issues with post 2010 vehicles than I ever had back in the day. Old diesels you just service them and they'll run happily for years. Newer ones you're forever chasing sensor issues particularly in dusty conditions which is where I mostly am! Kinda leaning more to the Perentie now... Parts are plentiful and reasonably priced. I can get a mil rebuilt engine, GB and transfer for around 10-12k. They are the Isuzu 3.9. The most reliable engine I have had anything to with was the 2.8l version of that engine in a 97 Rodeo. PS... Thanks for the reply.

[@thomo59]

We put a new cummins 5.9l 6BT in Oka 009. It is good mechanical fuel pump and the only electric parts are the fuel solenoid and starter motor. That runs really well. There are places you can get them for around $12k. But them there are mods that need to be done to install them. The original perking is just not powerful enough to maintain good highway speed

[@InoFughaul]

@@thomo59 I don't want to feed a 5.9l!!! You'd be leaving your own hills behind you due to wheel spin! 😂 Good luck with it!

[@thomo59]

I don't push the power, but I no longer struggle with hills or head winds. And I am not a risk to other road traffic being unable to keep up the pace. Fuel economy is also not terrible even pulling a 20ft caravan ( and still the hills are not a problem). I had a 110 defender once but never again.

[@ElarMack-ci1of]

Rule No.1. from a mechanic. If your gearchanges are not happening properly always check the release bearing action and release ability. Jack up if necessary to spin it a wheel or tailshaft while in gear. Any clutch drag will be detceted.

[@thomo59]

I trusted the mechanic who did the work. That lead me down the wrong path, until I found out what you said

[@imanenigma3348]

Cable operated clutch. Cheap and nasty. By the way you described your truck's setup, I would add, complicated.