Experience with fuso 4x4

[farmboy12]

Figure I'll put this in-

We own an A/C and Heat company, and we run 2 Isuzu's-

4500 HD- AUTO, weighs about 12,000# loaded. Not a single problem, 2001 I believe.

5500- Manual, weighs about 13,000# loaded. Only changed the battery 1 once. 1999. This truck, by the way, is the BIGGEST duct cleaning truck on the east coast. Drove to NW Canada from MD to get it.

Both un-breakable.

Can't tell you anything about the Mits, but a very large repo company used to use them. Then they switched to F-450's.


Kyle

 

[Spike-MI]

Wolf-
Info from a 2004 Chevy 2500HD Diesel and Fuso 4X4 owner:
The Fuso is NOT glamorous or comfortable like my leather trimed LT truck, nor is it probably half as fast. However, the Fuso is unstopable! I have towed my 30' tag axle trailer with the backhoe and numerous implements (CGVW approx 27-28000lbs) up hills, off-road in 3-4" of slimy mud. Low 1st gear (the trucks have a two range tranfer case) is about a 1 foot a second wide open throttle. My truck has 112K hard worked miles on it and is has never been in the shop. The brakes are irrelevant because it has a massive engine/exhaust brake that will stop the truck loaded without ever touching the brake pedal. In normal driving I rarely touch the pedal until I am right at a stop light. I had the brakes inspected and they said they looked almost new. The use the sealed drum barkes because they can be submerged. I have seen the Fuso's in 3-4 feet of water pulling loads. For the work it does, it also sips fuel 15-18mpg unloaded, 12-15mpg loaded. I have been pretty impressed for how little it is. It turns on dime too with awesome visiblity.
However, do not think you will jump in it to run the store or take the wife to dinner. Your kidneys will be bounced out of your skelton in about 20 miles. Less on poor roads. I generally find I want at least 1000-1500lbs on my flat bed if I am going any distance. Just FYI.
That all being said, you really have to look at your needs. The Fuso are truly dedicated work trucks built for the most demanding jobs and environments. They are designed to have southern and central americans drive them through nasty mountainous terrain with huge loads and Mitibushi will stand behind them for 5 years/150Kmi no questions asked. Ask the big 3 for that these days, and they will tell you they are waiting on their stimulus check. The Fuso's are not multipurpose like my 3/4 ton is. I can put a 3000lb of shingles in the back and go out to eat in it on the way home. Not the FG. It stays on the farm and the jobsite where it belongs. Hope that helps in your search for a truck.
Spike

 

[WantedWolf]

Thanks for the notes spike. I like to hear about the power up the hills and towing but this is the first good story ive heard. ussually you hear that they were doing 25km by the top of the hill, or the engine overheated.

one thing to correct is the mitsfuso warrenty is 5 years /175000km and even covers rust for 3 years. yep cant get that on an NA truck.

 

[WantedWolf]

And its good to know that the exhaust brakes do thier part,

How "sealed" are the drums really?

 

[wincher]

I have recently seen one of these on an lot but it seemed to be an as is wholesale. I am waiting for a reply from the dealer but in the mean time i was wondering what kind of parts support their is for them and if they are high priced or hard to get. The thing is a 03 with under fifty thousand and was inspected for 08. Looked a little beat but price was right in my range.

 

[WantedWolf]

Hey wincher
It seems that the parts for the FGs are around the same as the newer 1 tons.
$40 brake shoes, 350, clutch kit. But I would recomend picking up a few of the sure to need parts, before you need them. Like oil/air/fuel filters, brakes shoes, u joints, maybe a spare headlight. Dealers are sparse and if the dont find the time to talk to you about a $45000, they likley have less time for a small part. This is just first impressions tho as I havent purchased yet, and havent needed parts. But from what iv gathered im looking for a private sale.
do your reasearch as the dealers Iv spoke to dont seem very knowlegeable and this is a common complaint. good luck and let me know if you find one

 

[Builder]

Wolf-
The brakes are irrelevant because it has a massive engine/exhaust brake that will stop the truck loaded without ever touching the brake pedal. In normal driving I rarely touch the pedal until I am right at a stop light. I had the brakes inspected and they said they looked almost new. The use the sealed drum barkes because they can be submerged.

This has been a real big gripe with me for many years. GM & Dodge are offering an exhaust brake on their 1-ton & bigger chassis (4500 & 5500). Now Dodge has one available on their bigger pickups. Granted, GM started offering a gradient braking automatic 9 years ago, but it doesn't provide as much braking HP as an Ex. brake.

It's about freakin' time, I say. Exhaust brakes are soooo sensible. The way ther big 3 go through brakes and the cost of brake jobs coupled with the American love of towing trailers & RV's makes me wonder what took so long.

Ex brakes should be available, if not standard equipment, on all diesel trucks set up for towing. Come on Big 3, wake up!