Isuzu Pup Diesel

[schoolsout]

The problem with the Izuzu's in this area was they were pretty rusty after a few years. I'm also not so sure they were all the reliable. I had a friend that got into the VW pickups with the diesels. They were based on the Rabbit body, got great mileage, but were really more of a car than a truck.

Had a customer that had a fleet of Pups about 100-150 at all times throughout all of his locations. Best truck he has ever owned...couldn't kill them.

There are some dedicated sites for the Pups, I think. It's kind of a "cult" item now so there is a premium for them, if I recall correctly. I looked to get one a few years back, but didn't really pursue it much.

 

[Bird]

If I remember, they were 4 cylinder engines, something like 2.0 litres or 140cu/in, right?

They were definitely 4 cylinder and I couldn't remember whether it was 2.0 or 2.2 liter so I'll take yonyyuma's word that it was 2.2L. Another interesting thing was that a close friend and neighbor across the alley had bought a new 1980 Mercedes 240d (2.4L diesel). We set it and our I-Mark side by side and opened the hoods to see how similar or different they were. They looked almost identical except that (1) the Mercedes engine was slightly larger, (2) Isuzu used a normal looking 12 volt battery and the Mercedes had a loooonnng narrow battery, and (3) the fuel return line was plastic on the Mercedes and steel on the Isuzu. Of course they were both naturally aspirated and I drove that Mercedes a few times and I do believe our little Isuzu had better handling and better acceleration.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I remember Toyota, Ranger, Pup, S-10, Nissan, and a few other diesels. They were severely underpowered.

There were cars also like the Rabbit, Chevette, Escort, ect. Again, dogs.

There is a guy on here that has taken a tractor 3 cylinder engine out of a Jinma and put it in a Mazda pickup, same thing as a ranger. There is a long thread on it.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

I remember Toyota, Ranger, Pup, S-10, Nissan, and a few other diesels. They were severely underpowered.

There were cars also like the Rabbit, Chevette, Escort, ect. Again, dogs.

There is a guy on here that has taken a tractor 3 cylinder engine out of a Jinma and put it in a Mazda pickup, same thing as a ranger. There is a long thread on it.

Chris

I would like to find one in 4wd if possible. I farm and work in construction, spending 40% of my time off road. I currently use my 97 F150 4x4 for this but it get 15mpg @ best and I do not need the capacity of a full size truck for work or just cruising pastures. You are right, they are difficult to find. I think an interesting swap wouldbe one of these motors into a mud boat which are popular in the swamps here in louisiana. My old boss put a 4cyl engine (gas) out of a datsun in one he was building.

 

[Bird]

I once met a fellow, as a result of an accident he'd been in, who had one of the Isuzu diesel pickups. This was after they quit selling them in this country and he had just been involved in an accident that totalled his little pickup. He said he didn't know just what he was going to do because he couldn't think of any other vehicle that he could use as he'd been using the Isuzu. He hauled hay, and I guess sometimes range cubes, into the pasture for his cattle and he could put that little diesel in first gear, let the clutch out, leave it idling, and get out and walk along beside it throwing out the feed or hay for the cattle. I could understand that because I'd seen myself how slow it would go at idle in first gear and still have enough power that there was no danger of it killing the engine.

 

[jonyyuma]

The best Diesel of the 3 have driven was a 82 mercedes Benz 300 td. It is still here with nearly 300k. I always wanted to transplant it into a lighter sports car like a Firebird.It runs like the wind from 50 to 85, which has a pin in the speedo. It still is winding up and flys low......have no doubt it will do 120 with most v-8s from a running start. It is 3 liters and 120 hp from factory. the non-turbos were 85 hp. My kin had a Pup. it ran about like my S-10, but died of rust at 350k as all were exposed to the rust from the japanese transit across the seas...Never saw one with out a rusty tailgate. They sold thousands in Arkanasas, until the year the S-10 came out..

 

[ndrmyr]

I also recall Mitsubishi selling a small turbo diesel in the early/mid 80's, also sold under the Dodge Ram 50 badge. Available in 4x4, and extended cab, they were surprisingly peppy, and accelerated briskly, but were also prone to rust. It is sad that a similar vehicle just isn't sold in the US market today. I suspect that $6 gas prices will resurrect in our market. Many diesels are sold in Europe because of much high gas than diesel prices due to taxation.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I once met a fellow, as a result of an accident he'd been in, who had one of the Isuzu diesel pickups. This was after they quit selling them in this country and he had just been involved in an accident that totalled his little pickup. He said he didn't know just what he was going to do because he couldn't think of any other vehicle that he could use as he'd been using the Isuzu. He hauled hay, and I guess sometimes range cubes, into the pasture for his cattle and he could put that little diesel in first gear, let the clutch out, leave it idling, and get out and walk along beside it throwing out the feed or hay for the cattle. I could understand that because I'd seen myself how slow it would go at idle in first gear and still have enough power that there was no danger of it killing the engine.

The guy who cuts the hay in the field across the street does just that. He has about a 97 or 99 F-350 SRW. Its a stick and a granny gear in it. He just puts it in 4 Low and its so slow he has to wait on it when he is trowing bales in the bed and on the trailer behind it.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

The guy who cuts the hay in the field across the street does just that. He has about a 97 or 99 F-350 SRW. Its a stick and a granny gear in it. He just puts it in 4 Low and its so slow he has to wait on it when he is trowing bales in the bed and on the trailer behind it.

Chris

Pretty much what I will use it for if I can find one. Do not want one too rusty or beat up because I plan to drive it daily. Makes my pickings kind of slim.

 

[RobertN]

Weren't they all in that time-frame though? Any of those non turbo diesels. Even the first non turbo Ford 7.3's.

I remember Toyota, Ranger, Pup, S-10, Nissan, and a few other diesels. They were severely underpowered.