Offroad-Express

So as I do I buy trucks then flick em off then buy something else then flick it off again, and I'm currently in the process of selling current truck..

Which means I'll be looking for another soon.

I've always liked the shape of the 1st gen bighorns.
Wide body.
How good is the running gear and the 2.8 TD models??

You often hear people say Isuzu build trucks so they have to be tough but how big are the cvs, diff's etc?

Cheers

talk to mattman on here he is the isuzu guru for me lol

Lots of parts inter change between 1st and 2nd gen.

Motors and diffs and boxes are tough but now a 1st gen will be over 25 years old so will have done some kms.

Check out WWW.clubisuzu.com for everything you need to know.

They take 32s with a 2in lift and auto lockers are easily available.

I run 33in simexs with a front locker and tight rear LSD and a 2in suspension lift and go most places. Good value for money trucks.

Rear diff's are easy enough to come by.. finding a LSD/auto locker for the front is a bit of a mission.

Can't complain, for what you pay for them they're cheap. Parts are cheap and the seem to go alright with a bit more boost and drive quite nicly on the road.

Bang for buck- these are awesome! some claim the 2.8 turbo diesel is the most fuel efficient 4wd they have owned.
Given their age now, the odd injector pump is starting to leak, but this is common on many different brands, so don't be shy.
Can still get suspension lift kits from USA for them too.

Cheers guys, there is 1 I am keen to look at close to home, claims to have done just over 200ks but I'm picking that to not be true..

Asking price is fair.

How gutless are the 2.8 turbos?

Front and rear auto lockers are available off the shelf. Rear lsds are available but will need shimming or new clutches at this age and mileage.

The 2.8 and 3.1s aren't powerhouses but strong solid motors. An intercooler is a must.

I have a 2.8 MU, so might be a little lighter than a Bighorn, and I have no issues motoring along. The only time I wish I had more power is when passing a B train that's doing 90. I do have an intercooler (easy to retrofit) and a 2.5" downpipe (rest of the exhaust to come) I'd call a 2.4 Surf gutless, not a 2.8 Isuzu. But it depends what you are used to driving every day, if you drive Ferraris.....

Soooo I've found a 91 1st gen wide body s model.

Its focking immaculate.
1 owner for 15 years
155 ks

Fingers crossed it all goes ahead

best of luck,
they will never have the cult following of the 1st gen surfs but they are getting pretty rare, especially manual diesel ones,
looking at buying one as a daily

Yea mine will be just a daily, with some tweeks.
Can't realy compare it to the 1st gen surf.
Owned 1, thrashed it, loved it, my favorite ride but not a practical every day truck.

I like the retro look of the wide body 1st gen bighorns, 5 doors, recaro interior, cool dash

did you end up with one j .......looking at one maybe for me boy ...

Yep I bought 1, then flicked it off again, had it for maybe 5 months.
Was a cool truck. Had after market 16" alloys, bfg muds.
It was an immaculate truck.
I just didn't like driving an auto, I don't mind autos but it needs to have power which this didn't.

Had bad blow by, would fill up a 750 ml catch can every tank of gas.
But never missed a beat, started easy, fitting the catch can stopped any smoke issues it had.

Ide definitely own 1 again but must be wide body again and must be manual

cheers mate