I'm looking to build an off roader with my son, something along the lines of my avatar. I was looking at an Isuzu big horn for the running gear (not sure of yr, but an old one) with a 2.4 motor.
I'm looking to remove the body or chop it to hell, so that side of it doesn't worry me but, the motor has a real bad knock in it that sounds like a piston or big end. I hit the guy up about the knock and he said it was the injectors, either 1 or 2 or both.
I know nothing about diesels but this guy didnt care if I took it for a test drive and it was quiet inside and ran well enough and I couldn't hear anything knocking like you normally would with a big end or piston.
Do injectors get that noisy that they start to bang around ??
Also, if anyone knows of a suzuki body sitting around I would be interested in knowing about it.
Thanks.
Whats wrong with this motor ??
The 2.3 Isuzu turbo diesel is a very heavy and gutless motor... I owned one for a while... took about a kilometer on the flat to get to 100km/h 
Other than that, they seem to be pretty reliable. Pigs to get out of the vehicle tho... you will probably have to drop the front subframe to remove the motor from the engine bay, or remove the sump.
There are plenty of small petrol motors that work well in the 'Zuks... ask some of the Zuk guys... what about a Toyota 4AGE or something like that? You probably want to keep the weight and motor size down to that kind of thing I would think...
Just my thoughts...
Steve
Other than that, they seem to be pretty reliable. Pigs to get out of the vehicle tho... you will probably have to drop the front subframe to remove the motor from the engine bay, or remove the sump.
There are plenty of small petrol motors that work well in the 'Zuks... ask some of the Zuk guys... what about a Toyota 4AGE or something like that? You probably want to keep the weight and motor size down to that kind of thing I would think...
Just my thoughts...
Steve
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Rotazuk
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Junk the motor , from far too many hours on the net in far away lands I have found out that the 4.0 v8 from a caddy bolts to the isuzu gearbox ( petrol bellhousing only I think ) that would give the zuk something to think about .
I have a 2ct turbo diesel in a samurai and you can feel it is heavy in the front , very quick off the line but revs out at 120kph ( with bit tyres ) still wants to pull just too noisy , need higher gears .
Someone said to me the other day a 3sg block will bolt to a toyota gearbox , that would be a good option . Its a toyota thou .
Chris
I have a 2ct turbo diesel in a samurai and you can feel it is heavy in the front , very quick off the line but revs out at 120kph ( with bit tyres ) still wants to pull just too noisy , need higher gears .
Someone said to me the other day a 3sg block will bolt to a toyota gearbox , that would be a good option . Its a toyota thou .
Chris
I want to keep this thing as small as I can, but I still need something that will move those bloody big tyres around. As it will be 100% off road I would be happy with something that did 30-40 mph tops and was low geared.
My son is only 8, I think a Caddy V8, although sounding nice, might be a bit much for him right now.
The idea is for us to have a project together that he will remember long after I'm gone and hopefully an interest that will give him a direction in life later on rather than just hanging around the streets.
I dont know much at this stage about building an off roader. But, I'm inclined to think that by putting bigger wheels/tyres on anything then your gearing would go all to hell, so what I'm trying to do is find out what it is I can use motor/diffs/box etc, what combinations go together to give us a fun project and a reasonable comp/off road vehicle. Although I hate diesels, I thought that may be a good way to go as many people seem to use their rig as a submarine and that kind of thing would be exciting to my son.
Rotazuk I dont get this bit:
>>Someone said to me the other day a 3sg block will bolt to a toyota gearbox , that would be a good option . Its a toyota thou . <<
I have no idea what a 3sg block is from ?
And, are you saying put a toyota up to a zuk using zuk transfer case/box, or are you saying go toyota running gear diffs/motor/box
Thanks for your replies guys, please keep the ideas rolling.
My son is only 8, I think a Caddy V8, although sounding nice, might be a bit much for him right now.
The idea is for us to have a project together that he will remember long after I'm gone and hopefully an interest that will give him a direction in life later on rather than just hanging around the streets.
I dont know much at this stage about building an off roader. But, I'm inclined to think that by putting bigger wheels/tyres on anything then your gearing would go all to hell, so what I'm trying to do is find out what it is I can use motor/diffs/box etc, what combinations go together to give us a fun project and a reasonable comp/off road vehicle. Although I hate diesels, I thought that may be a good way to go as many people seem to use their rig as a submarine and that kind of thing would be exciting to my son.
Rotazuk I dont get this bit:
>>Someone said to me the other day a 3sg block will bolt to a toyota gearbox , that would be a good option . Its a toyota thou . <<
I have no idea what a 3sg block is from ?
And, are you saying put a toyota up to a zuk using zuk transfer case/box, or are you saying go toyota running gear diffs/motor/box
Thanks for your replies guys, please keep the ideas rolling.
3SG is the motor out of an MR2 - turboed I think?? Chris (rotazuk) will confirm 
If you want something fun/easy to build I would stick to the basics, especially if its off road only. IFS (independant front suspension) can be more difficult to get good wheel travel out of - amonst other things against these sort of vehicles. Suprasurf can give you all the info you want in modding a beam axle hilux- which has to be easier than mucking round with a Isuzu. plenty around, plenty of parts
Personally I think a first time truck would have to be a Suzuki. Small and some good options for engine upgrades, swift GTi's, vitara motors etc.
Im sure others will give their opinion. But which ever route you go down, you should get plenty of help off here....
Big wheels are good, and as you say gearing suffers, but also driveline strength can/will suffer. A Zuk on 31's has similar undercarriage cleareance to the bigger 4wds on 35 inch tyres.
Just my (zuk biased) 2c
Rex
If you want something fun/easy to build I would stick to the basics, especially if its off road only. IFS (independant front suspension) can be more difficult to get good wheel travel out of - amonst other things against these sort of vehicles. Suprasurf can give you all the info you want in modding a beam axle hilux- which has to be easier than mucking round with a Isuzu. plenty around, plenty of parts
Personally I think a first time truck would have to be a Suzuki. Small and some good options for engine upgrades, swift GTi's, vitara motors etc.
Im sure others will give their opinion. But which ever route you go down, you should get plenty of help off here....
Big wheels are good, and as you say gearing suffers, but also driveline strength can/will suffer. A Zuk on 31's has similar undercarriage cleareance to the bigger 4wds on 35 inch tyres.
Just my (zuk biased) 2c
Rex
the 3sgte is the turbo motor frm the mr2 the 3sg series is twin cam 2ltr, same as 90-98 celicas and 4cylinder altezzas among others. supposed to be a good strong motor and the early 90s celicas are a dime a dozen, so the motors must be cheep. some hilux diffs zuk chassis... nice place to start.... now for my info, why does everyone use hilux diffs? i was thinking of patrol diffs?
Problem with zuk's is finding a cheap one to start with. Then would the axles carry those tyres ?
If not, would hilux diffs alter the gearing to unusable.
Would Isuzu diffs do the job just as well as hilux, the Isuzu is cheap and I could just wreck out the unwanted stuff to recover some costs, theres plenty of Isuzu 2.4 with blown motors.
I would like to start with a cheap zuk as its a better size for my son, just gotta find one
If not, would hilux diffs alter the gearing to unusable.
Would Isuzu diffs do the job just as well as hilux, the Isuzu is cheap and I could just wreck out the unwanted stuff to recover some costs, theres plenty of Isuzu 2.4 with blown motors.
I would like to start with a cheap zuk as its a better size for my son, just gotta find one
I actually posted this in the Isuzu forum to see if there was anything on this Isuzu I was looking at that I could use.
Going by the amount of replies so far that refer to Isuzu I will take it that even those that own them dont have a lot of faith in there ability/reliability.
I guess I shouldnt be surprised going by the number of them in the paper each week with blown motor/cracked head/needs head gasket etc,etc.
Are there any Isuzu owners on this site, or are they all suffering depression and drunk in front of the tv dreaming of walking to work tomorrow.
Going by the amount of replies so far that refer to Isuzu I will take it that even those that own them dont have a lot of faith in there ability/reliability.
I guess I shouldnt be surprised going by the number of them in the paper each week with blown motor/cracked head/needs head gasket etc,etc.
Are there any Isuzu owners on this site, or are they all suffering depression and drunk in front of the tv dreaming of walking to work tomorrow.
hi there heres an idea, why not look on trade me or some thing similar and buy a whole truck thats too rusty to get a wof. i bought an old swb 83 pajero 2 litre turbo petrol for next to nothing and am going to rally it. give it a body lift weld up the back diff chuck on some old sat tyres and give it death, costs bugger all and is heaps of fun.
I've been looking on trademe, but finding anything in the S.I that is going and cheap is proving a problem.
The Isuzu I have found is about the best deal to date, just not sure about the injectors, or more to the point, if its the injectors making the banging in the motor and I dont see anyone telling me it could be or that an Isuzu is even worth buying for parts
The Isuzu I have found is about the best deal to date, just not sure about the injectors, or more to the point, if its the injectors making the banging in the motor and I dont see anyone telling me it could be or that an Isuzu is even worth buying for parts
The isuzu might be the best one you have found to date but it isnot going to be suitable to lift and run big tires which you have said is what you want to do.
The suzuki option that a few people have said sounds like a good idea you could try and find a body and chassie as everything else is going to need to be replaced, then look out for a pair of diffs, a motor etc.
The isuzu doesnt sound like a good base for what you want to built.
Alot of work goes into builting a truck like the one in your avator, only suzuki parts left in that one is the body and chassis, it has hilux diffs, 4.8 ratios, 2.2 hilux motor and gearbox, hilux springs etc.
The suzuki option that a few people have said sounds like a good idea you could try and find a body and chassie as everything else is going to need to be replaced, then look out for a pair of diffs, a motor etc.
The isuzu doesnt sound like a good base for what you want to built.
Alot of work goes into builting a truck like the one in your avator, only suzuki parts left in that one is the body and chassis, it has hilux diffs, 4.8 ratios, 2.2 hilux motor and gearbox, hilux springs etc.
Ok, I just wrote a huge answer then something decided to send this page to another site... so its all gone 
GRRR...
Here we go again... first up, leave that Isuzu... it just won't be worth the greif... my 2c. I am an Isuzu owner... I have three of them. I think the 2.8TD motor was one of the best and strongest diesels of its day, and most of them are still going well (mine mad it to 360,000-odd km's). The 2.3 was ok, but slow and heavy. Good tractor motor The 3.1 is very grunty, perhaps not quite as quick as the 1KZ toyota 3.0 litre t-d but a very nice engine all the same - although they suffer from little niggles that can if you are unlucky blow them to smithereens internally.
Club Isuzu is a strong (and mostly biased) Isuzu forum with some really clued up people. I would be surprised to think that there was a feeling of no faith in their own toys there... I think most of them are very strong advocates for the Isuzus... sometimes a little too much so
Toyota axles over Safari ones... check the widths... check the prices... check the parts costs... check the weights... its easy to see why if you investigate. Two hilux axles weigh about what the front safari one does. Hilux axles will cost you less than $1k for a pair... price a safari front one. A blown CV in a Hilux will cost around $100 or less... whats a safari one cost?... I think the Toyota option is used because they are cheap and readily available and hard to kill with a Zuks weight and power... and standard Zuk axles might be fine, but where are you at when you blow that Zuk CV? There was a thread on here recently pointing to the fact the Zuk CVs are rocking horse poo to find...
If you use a Hilux axle then you have the following common diff choices: 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.8, 5.3... Isuzu is normally 4.5, so you can go 4.8 and run 33 or 35" tyres ok... if you can find a couple of 5.29s then you could probably push 40's without too much trouble. Having said that, run any ratio and use a dual transfer case adaptor for low-low and diff ratio no longer matters...
I'm running 4.8 diffs and Hilux axles under my MU by the way, so I know they work, and they work well. Why not look at a MU? You can get 2.8TD 5-speeds for around $2k then project build the solid axle under it... I've done all the hard work there, and all the info on the build is here: http://www.4wdstuff.co.nz/mu
Oh, and one more thing... I think the idea that you want to do something together with your boy to give him something to remember you by and some skills and direction in life is commendable to the point of me wanting to buy you a beer. Thats awesome. As a dad I know what you mean, good on ya
Steve
GRRR...
Here we go again... first up, leave that Isuzu... it just won't be worth the greif... my 2c. I am an Isuzu owner... I have three of them. I think the 2.8TD motor was one of the best and strongest diesels of its day, and most of them are still going well (mine mad it to 360,000-odd km's). The 2.3 was ok, but slow and heavy. Good tractor motor
The 3.1 is very grunty, perhaps not quite as quick as the 1KZ toyota 3.0 litre t-d but a very nice engine all the same - although they suffer from little niggles that can if you are unlucky blow them to smithereens internally.
Club Isuzu is a strong (and mostly biased) Isuzu forum with some really clued up people. I would be surprised to think that there was a feeling of no faith in their own toys there... I think most of them are very strong advocates for the Isuzus... sometimes a little too much so
Toyota axles over Safari ones... check the widths... check the prices... check the parts costs... check the weights... its easy to see why if you investigate. Two hilux axles weigh about what the front safari one does. Hilux axles will cost you less than $1k for a pair... price a safari front one. A blown CV in a Hilux will cost around $100 or less... whats a safari one cost?... I think the Toyota option is used because they are cheap and readily available and hard to kill with a Zuks weight and power... and standard Zuk axles might be fine, but where are you at when you blow that Zuk CV? There was a thread on here recently pointing to the fact the Zuk CVs are rocking horse poo to find...
If you use a Hilux axle then you have the following common diff choices: 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.8, 5.3... Isuzu is normally 4.5, so you can go 4.8 and run 33 or 35" tyres ok... if you can find a couple of 5.29s then you could probably push 40's without too much trouble. Having said that, run any ratio and use a dual transfer case adaptor for low-low and diff ratio no longer matters...
I'm running 4.8 diffs and Hilux axles under my MU by the way, so I know they work, and they work well. Why not look at a MU? You can get 2.8TD 5-speeds for around $2k then project build the solid axle under it... I've done all the hard work there, and all the info on the build is here: http://www.4wdstuff.co.nz/mu
Oh, and one more thing... I think the idea that you want to do something together with your boy to give him something to remember you by and some skills and direction in life is commendable to the point of me wanting to buy you a beer. Thats awesome. As a dad I know what you mean, good on ya
Steve
I do agree go with the toyota axles for weight and width but your prices are a little off steve,
CV: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 339952.htm
Complete Rear axle: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 517600.htm
And i have a complete front axle id sell for $600 when i have finished with it in a month
You cant beat nissan for strength either and it makes putting coils on a bit easier
CV: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 339952.htm
Complete Rear axle: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 517600.htm
And i have a complete front axle id sell for $600 when i have finished with it in a month
You cant beat nissan for strength either and it makes putting coils on a bit easier
)
)
Haha... don't sweat it, SupraSurf would be just as helpful and knowledgable anyway
Yeah, mine did the same... but we had Subaru utes and trailbikes... kept me fit, interested and hands on... of course now its only two of those... the fitness fell off when I stopped riding
Still two outta three aint bad apparently
Steve
Yeah, mine did the same... but we had Subaru utes and trailbikes... kept me fit, interested and hands on... of course now its only two of those... the fitness fell off when I stopped riding
Still two outta three aint bad apparently
Steve
So then how would this sound for starters.Remembering I know very little about diesels and was only having a quick look :
Toyota SWB 3 door LX shape (not sure of year), 2.4 T Turbo diesel (whatever that means) was originally 2 T Turbo Diesel, mags, 2 good tyres, winch (I think they are called PTO, comes off transfer case or gearbox) cable looks about 10mm but not in the best of condition, it is operated from the front (at winch) but the arm to engage it is broken off at its mount (guessing if I could figure out how it goes I could re weld it back on). Body has some rust, but I dont care that much as I would be looking to put a zuk body on it when/if I find one, or I could cut the body into a ute as most rust in the rear around door, racaro seats, reasonably tidy inside.
Only thing I can see missing is the windscreen and front drive shaft that was stolen ( ? ), and ignition switch.
Cant hear it running but the running gear is guaranteed good by owner who is also an old friend.
The only things I see that could be a problem are finding a new drive shaft, wiring up some sort of switch, and the winch is in a bitch of a place so it would need to be moved some how, and finding a little zuk body. Also the price : $1650.
I was thinking more around the $300-$400 mark for something to start with, but its leaf spring, already has a winch although I'm not sure what it would be worth, has tow hooks, have no idea what the diffs are worth, etc etc.
Feedback seriously appreciated.
Toyota SWB 3 door LX shape (not sure of year), 2.4 T Turbo diesel (whatever that means) was originally 2 T Turbo Diesel, mags, 2 good tyres, winch (I think they are called PTO, comes off transfer case or gearbox) cable looks about 10mm but not in the best of condition, it is operated from the front (at winch) but the arm to engage it is broken off at its mount (guessing if I could figure out how it goes I could re weld it back on). Body has some rust, but I dont care that much as I would be looking to put a zuk body on it when/if I find one, or I could cut the body into a ute as most rust in the rear around door, racaro seats, reasonably tidy inside.
Only thing I can see missing is the windscreen and front drive shaft that was stolen ( ? ), and ignition switch.
Cant hear it running but the running gear is guaranteed good by owner who is also an old friend.
The only things I see that could be a problem are finding a new drive shaft, wiring up some sort of switch, and the winch is in a bitch of a place so it would need to be moved some how, and finding a little zuk body. Also the price : $1650.
I was thinking more around the $300-$400 mark for something to start with, but its leaf spring, already has a winch although I'm not sure what it would be worth, has tow hooks, have no idea what the diffs are worth, etc etc.
Feedback seriously appreciated.
Interesting - sounded like you had found a Bundera, as they were the only 70-series (which from what you said I am guessing it is) with a 2LT (2LT is the toyota engine code for a 2.4 turbo diesel engine) but they came on coils not leafs and were an SX not an LX
Originally a 2T? Sure it wasn't originally a 2F? That would be a cruiser petrol motor...
That would be an ideal truck - SWB, good suspension base to start with, Toyota reliability, etc... not sure I would bother going down the Zuk road if you had one of these to work with.... spring over and just use it... similar process to Wopass's one as its similar underneath.
They still get good money tho - it doesn't sound like too bad a price... although go shopping first and price the front d-shaft... might get a fright on that one.
Steve
Originally a 2T? Sure it wasn't originally a 2F? That would be a cruiser petrol motor...
That would be an ideal truck - SWB, good suspension base to start with, Toyota reliability, etc... not sure I would bother going down the Zuk road if you had one of these to work with.... spring over and just use it... similar process to Wopass's one as its similar underneath.
They still get good money tho - it doesn't sound like too bad a price... although go shopping first and price the front d-shaft... might get a fright on that one.
Steve
i had a swb landcuiser with a 2l-t and coil springs, some did have leaf springs mine was labelled prado , 2.4 turbo and auto. very gutless but very maneuvreable. had a factory rear diff lock too which was handy. was all good until it overheated majorly going up the old man range and cracked the head.
a guy down here in southland has a lexus quad cam in his and gu patol coils goes very well.
a guy down here in southland has a lexus quad cam in his and gu patol coils goes very well.