Hey, I'm looking at a petrol Bighorn SWB - well not not in particular but I'm thinking of getting one of these or the isuzu SWB Petrol... swaying towards Isuzu at this stage anyway! Looking to get hold of a early to mid 90's model as they seem to be pretty cheap for what they are...
Got a few questions, it will be 90% off road (just a toy) I'm selling my 1980 SWB cruiser... need something a bit more comfy for family! Whats the petrol motors like for reliability and economy (not too concerned about econ as its only a when I go 4wding toy and the very odd trip to town) also are they easy enough to work on?
What are they like for after market mods? I plan on setting it up pretty good - well, snorkel, lift, decent mud tyres, front and rear bars etc... can ya get lockers or lock rites for them?
Thanks!
Chris
Invercargill
Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
I ran a swb 3.1 Bighorn with a 3" lift, couldn't go higher, and it had SFA flex in the front, and fairly weak cv's, especially once it was lifted and the angles increased. Was ok, but in the rough, the ifs wasn't that comfy really.
Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
see, dave m has given vote num 2 to pajero.... 
Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
Na, I'd go for a swb SAFARI 
Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
Yeah but the safaris cost more to buy... also they are BIG 
, most of my mates I go with drive daihatsus etc so when the safari gets stuck it may stay there! so its either isuzu or mitsi depending which camp I jump in.... Will b getting petrol verison because I like the power! and the comfort of a lifted IFS being not great? I'll b comparing it to a 1980 SWB lifted Cruiser.... it will be comfy in comparison! 
, most of my mates I go with drive daihatsus etc so when the safari gets stuck it may stay there! so its either isuzu or mitsi depending which camp I jump in.... Will b getting petrol verison because I like the power! and the comfort of a lifted IFS being not great? I'll b comparing it to a 1980 SWB lifted Cruiser.... it will be comfy in comparison! Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
Although I like the Isuzu, I'd go for a soft top Paj with diff lock
Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
nzdncjw wrote:Yeah but the safaris cost more to buy... also they are BIG
the 2.8 diesel isuzu mus have a very good amount of power even tho they diesel and waaaaaaay better fuel economy. totally agree with the cv issue i had to change 2 outer cvs and one inner cv and i only had it for about a month and a few trips. very comfy though
Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
I would not go the petrol isuzu - very thirsty as are all 4wd petrols. Best motor is the 4JB1T 2.8 turbo - one of the very best small diesels ex japan - know of one that has done over 1,000,000ks, though they must have 5k oil changes to get the mileage and cannot be overheated due to chrome bore liners.
The 2.8 87-92 bighorn swb or mu is an excellent little truck and has much heavier cvs than some later models. Did 230-240 4wd tracks in a well modified one and it took 3 years to break a cv. You can get front and rear lokkas ex aussie, can do 3" bodyifts which will not limit front articulation in any way, then fit extended shackles to rear and quick sway release sway bar disconnects to front and you've got a very tough little offroader. On club night, mine was 5th in articulation ramp test out of 25 club trucks - ahead of quite a few hiluxes,cruisers etc (though they can be developed more in front end). You just have to know how to set them up and drive them. Very easy to tune - mine ran at 155hp - very good power-to-weight ratio meant exc performance offroad. Good strongly built drivetrain - motor,box, diffs etc. I never busted anything there in nearly 5 years offroading. You do have to drive more carefully - change your style after fitting a front lokka or you will bust cvs.
Very tough, durable little unit and you get alot of bang for your buck. The 2.5 motor mitsi not bad too - esp if you can get the model with the heavier (cast iron - ex canter?) gearbox and clutch.
The 2.8 87-92 bighorn swb or mu is an excellent little truck and has much heavier cvs than some later models. Did 230-240 4wd tracks in a well modified one and it took 3 years to break a cv. You can get front and rear lokkas ex aussie, can do 3" bodyifts which will not limit front articulation in any way, then fit extended shackles to rear and quick sway release sway bar disconnects to front and you've got a very tough little offroader. On club night, mine was 5th in articulation ramp test out of 25 club trucks - ahead of quite a few hiluxes,cruisers etc (though they can be developed more in front end). You just have to know how to set them up and drive them. Very easy to tune - mine ran at 155hp - very good power-to-weight ratio meant exc performance offroad. Good strongly built drivetrain - motor,box, diffs etc. I never busted anything there in nearly 5 years offroading. You do have to drive more carefully - change your style after fitting a front lokka or you will bust cvs.
Very tough, durable little unit and you get alot of bang for your buck. The 2.5 motor mitsi not bad too - esp if you can get the model with the heavier (cast iron - ex canter?) gearbox and clutch.
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mud_slinger
- Hard Yaka
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Re: Isuzu Bighorn buying advice?
buy a mu they are tough mean mud pluging machine. goes well lots a power and torque and i runnin 34 tyres and had her over 2 years and are yet to break a cv quite reliable has taken a beating and still goin strong. nice to drive and i think comfy. my 5 cents 
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