The Mu build

[Jezza]

Well I thought I should post the progress on my mu

This is where it all started
A 1994 XE 3.1 TD with 2.5"exhaust, polished alloys and a fancy wood steering wheel, straight from Japan.

Then I somehow became addicted to 4wding, so I got a body lift done, fit some 32's, some bar work and a snorkel. It's amazing how far a set of decent tyres on a standard truck will take you


2 years down the road I had been thinking of doing some real modifications, and that motivation came from failing my WOF for not having a cert plate for raised suspension (even though the suspension is standard ) so this started the 28 day build up.
On the list is....
-Swap out the auto and chuck in a manual (water isn't a good friction modifier in auto's )
-extended shackles
-3" fuel tank lift
-some 33" tyres, probably some maxxis bighorns
-ball joint flip and torsion bars wound up
-sway bar disconnects
-sill bars maybe
Now to see how much I can get done

[Taz]

Good luck man. Bet the WOF guy wouldn't have been all to pleased to be told he was wrong. Wasn't at AA testing station was it?

[pajeroboy]

good luck,should be very easy to get done inside the 28 days,but my question is are you going to get the cert plate that he has asked for even though he wrong,as its on the paperwork? or are you going to let the 28 days pass then go for a retest?

one of my mates has got a lifted mu running 34's,goes pretty well

[furnace]

Great little 4x4 the MU,i had a very modified one for over 7 years,i lifted mine about 5inches,suspension and body lift,the best modification i did was a set of ARB air lockers front and back,makes up for the IFS front end,boy do they climb with a set of lockers and a set of simexs

[Jezza]

good luck,should be very easy to get done inside the 28 days,but my question is are you going to get the cert plate that he has asked for even though he wrong,as its on the paperwork? or are you going to let the 28 days pass then go for a retest?

I needed to get it certified anyway but what pissed me off was that the guy didn't know the difference between a body lift and a suspension lift , yeah i'll be taking it for a retest within 28days.

Small progress tonight, managed to get the gear box in, just need a new cross member then shes all go

[pajeroboy]

good to hear u making progress.
it makes u wounder if the ppl fixing/doing warrents even though what they doing.lol

[fweddy]

Jezza If you need Isuzu parts be in touch, I might be able to point you in the right direction. My bro-in-law who also has a MU knows a guy with lots of zuzus where he gets his steady supply of parts from.

[Jezza]

Jezza If you need Isuzu parts be in touch, I might be able to point you in the right direction. My bro-in-law who also has a MU knows a guy with lots of zuzus where he gets his steady supply of parts from.

Cheers an extra source of mu parts is always good

Great little 4x4 the MU,i had a very modified one for over 7 years,i lifted mine about 5inches,suspension and body lift,the best modification i did was a set of ARB air lockers front and back,makes up for the IFS front end,boy do they climb with a set of lockers and a set of simexs

Your old mu looks like a beast http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/node/541, How hard were the lockers to find? I never knew they made them.

Small update. Got a manual cross member today, just have to weld the mounts on and fit it Just have to learn how arc weld upside down

I also picked up something to do in the future

After a quick check she looks all good so I'll just give it the old dulux overhaul for now and find the diff, axles and hubs later on

[aroma]

looks good
hint for arc welding up side down i found out at work wind the amps up seems to work for me and mine look like a seagulls been around

[furnace]

Jezza If you need Isuzu parts be in touch, I might be able to point you in the right direction. My bro-in-law who also has a MU knows a guy with lots of zuzus where he gets his steady supply of parts from.

Cheers an extra source of mu parts is always good

Great little 4x4 the MU,i had a very modified one for over 7 years,i lifted mine about 5inches,suspension and body lift,the best modification i did was a set of ARB air lockers front and back,makes up for the IFS front end,boy do they climb with a set of lockers and a set of simexs

Your old mu looks like a beast http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/node/541, How hard were the lockers to find? I never knew they made them.

Small update. Got a manual cross member today, just have to weld the mounts on and fit it Just have to learn how arc weld upside down

I also picked up something to do in the future

After a quick check she looks all good so I'll just give it the old dulux overhaul for now and find the diff, axles and hubs later on

The Air lockers were quite hard to find at the time [ this was about 8 years ago now ] the rear was no problem but the front was,they did not make them..The ARB people altered a Holden Rodeo one for me...No problem these days you can buy them off the shelf
I really loved my little MU,IT GOT THRASHED for the whole time i had it
The old MU is till going strong and is up the NI,it is easy to spot as has got a OLD MAN EMU windscreen banner in bright yellow

[fweddy]

Jezza If you need Isuzu parts be in touch, I might be able to point you in the right direction. My bro-in-law who also has a MU knows a guy with lots of zuzus where he gets his steady supply of parts from.

Cheers an extra source of mu parts is always good

Got the details - Gavin is your man. I'll PM you

[GotFlex]

hows the build?

[Jezza]

hows the build?

It's going well but I won't make the 28 days, I'm not to worried though as I'll just take it somewhere else and get them to do a decent inspection on it.

One big step forward tonight, just took the mu for its first drive around the block with the new manual I'm really impressed with the ol' isuzu engine, it really hauls ass can't wait to really give it hell once the clutch settles in and I get the crossmember mounts welded up fully

[petefj40]

hows the build?

It's going well but I won't make the 28 days, I'm not to worried though as I'll just take it somewhere else and get them to do a decent inspection on it.

One big step forward tonight, just took the mu for its first drive around the block with the new manual I'm really impressed with the ol' isuzu engine, it really hauls ass can't wait to really give it hell once the clutch settles in and I get the crossmember mounts welded up fully

Looking good!
Is it entered in Sheffield this year Jezza?

[Jezza]

Looking good!
Is it entered in Sheffield this year Jezza?

This year? no, but next year you may have some competition
Well my gear box swap is all done, just got the final welding done at 4wd accessories last night, Boy did I have some fun driving it back to the workshop with no exhaust!
Going to start on the shackles and sway bar disconnects this weekend

[GotFlex]

ooHHHH pleease post some picks of the disconects as im very keen to do this too!!!

[Jezza]

Well I managed to do the fuel tank lift today, was only able to lift it 50mm which is a huge improvement on what it was. I picked up all the steel and 18mm bolts for making my shackles, so i'll get them done at work this week. Last off all my tyres and rims are on there way! 33 Wranglers on 15x8 -30 black rims .
I did take a load of photos but discovered there was a nice oily fingerprint on the lens, so they didn't turn out

[Jezza]

Well I managed to get abit of work done in the weekend. I've got the shackles in and the fuel tank lift done.

The gear box cross member is all in.

I finished of the trim and found a great spot for my intercooler water spray button

Almost ready for cert