............... they get little or no mention in the HUBB but there are a few for sale in the UK.
Some are "special editions" with names such as "bighorn" and "lotus handling"
Most comments I have seen elsewhere say to avoid the 3.0 Diesel and look for the 3.1 litre engine (which is actually 3050cc I believe).

Quite a few appear to be imported direct from Japan (so called grey imports) but others may have been officially brought into this country.

Either way, what is the view on the shop floor regarding these vehicles, their capability, and their weaknesses/strong points?

I probably mean Isuzu, but you all knew that!!
(nor do I know how to edit the thread title).

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Dave

I've worked on older models that are regularly used and abused in the Agricultural world and pretty popular.

I would probably put on a par with the likes of a Toyota Colorado/Prado.

The only thing is you may struggle to get kit for it since it not a 1st choice vehicle for off roading/overlanding.

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Cheers,

Julian Voelcker
Overland Cruisers - Specialising in Land Cruiser preparation and servicing.

Are they full of electronics, in the same way that other vehicle manufacturers (and the whole world of engineering/technology) have swung?

Apart from that, my impression is that quite a lot of the second hand ones are SWB and there are not so many LWB available.

Also, Isuzu appear to have dropped out of the new vehicle market for 4x4 cars.
For new vehicles they are well represented with a pick up truck bodywork model (the "Rodeo" from memory) but they don't seem to be competing with the likes of the Landcruiser or the Discovery/Range Rover.

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Dave

Not sure, but the drive towards better economy is pushing manufacturers towards using more electronics to replace good old mechanical devices - an electric hand brake is lighter than the old fashioned cable, an electric door latch is lighter than a mechanical one.

Yes, most of the ones I have worked on have been SWB.

__________________
Cheers,

Julian Voelcker
Overland Cruisers - Specialising in Land Cruiser preparation and servicing.

I've had two Holden Jackaroos. Both with the 3.0 litre 4JX1 Diesel engine. (Also known as Honda Monterey, Isuzu Trooper, Honda Passport or Acura SLX.)

The first one was an utter disaster. It constantly lit up the check engine light and Holden (local GM) could never work out what was wrong. Then it inexplicably caught fire 11 months after purchase and was written off.

I bought another because I could not afford a Prado/Colorado. It was fine until it was out of warranty. Then it developed a bunch of electrical faults in succession. The last was the famous oil pressure rail sensor and harness problem. The wiring harness goes through the rocker cover and the oil wicks it's way up the sensor wires and destroys the sensor. It's a lousy design but Holden/Isuzu didn't want to admit it. That problem cost over $2500 to fix because lots of parts have to come off to replace the expensive loom and inaccessible sensor. I'd had enough so I got rid of it shortly after.

If you are looking at a 4JX1 engined car, check the 2cm x 1cm plug near the manifold. If I recall correctly it has four pins. If there is any sign of oil leaking from it, run away!

Cheers,
Brett.

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May 2015 - Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track in a 1969 Mini Van.
http://www.facebook.com/TeamBMCAdventures

[QUOTE=bnicho;414006] It constantly lit up the check engine light and Holden (local GM) could never work out what was wrong. Then it inexplicably caught fire 11 months after purchase and was written off.
[QUOTE]

Sounds like a comedy of errors...that Holden.

my mum had one and covered well over 100000 miles in it. Good truck, powerful and comfortable. I used it for towing and it pulled like a train.

I think it was up to about 180k when eventually the chassis rotted away, but then, it was used, abused and neglected!

However, as an expedition vehicle it has limitations as parts availability in the UK and overseas will be very limited.

From late '94 till about '03 the London Ambulance Service used the Vauxhall Monteray as the Duty Officer vehicles.

They were a bit rolly polly and the brakes used to fade out quickly but they were fairly robust.

The off road capabilities were never tested in London though some NHS Trusts used them as back up vehicles for bad weather.

One of those was on eBay last week.

My only concern would lack of spares and mods availability.

I totally agree with Moggy.

Worthy but maybe a bit left-field.

I own one, 1989 looks very much like a Land Rover.... I have it in dry storage at my Arizona ranch. It has 180,000 miles
miles not Kilometers... 4 wheel drive with manual lock in hubs, wench that
really works beefed up/really strong front guard to support wench and possibly saved my life
by deflecting an giant elk I hit in Flagstaff... and a top rack...

Observations: the border guards seem to really like it as I have received big money offers for it each time I cross back and forth into Mexico. Thousands over Blue Book

It might be considered a little underpowered 4 cylinders with air, but this never bothered me because the first gear pull is more than I ever needed
off road and on road it sort of has a Floatie feel I especially like the
from high up view through the wind screen - seems like you are a little
detached from it all ..

No major , unexpected problems other than regular clutch, battery, break replacements, no gear box problems whatsoever. The body is very strong
and feels a little rolly polly , but no matter what I never flipped it.

With rear seats down I can sleep comfortably inside and I fashioned a mosquito net for back doors so it has great mosquito net ventilation.

Great with tinted windows - once I removed all the identifying logos, I am always asked - what is it? Later model Troopers do not have the same
all out safari look - I doubt I will ever sell it. It is almost an antique. And, still runs GREAT.

xfiltrate eat , drink and 4 wheel whenever you can

It's very likely to be the earlier engine, the "3.1" litre that was actually 3050cc and no turbo charger fitted I believe. All assuming that the market in the US for this vehicle was much the same as that in the UK.
They seem to have/had a good reputation for reliability in the UK but there are few around nowadays that have not been to the moon and back on the odometer.

In contrast, the later "3.0" litre engine has a bad reputation here and the UK wisdom says to steer clear of that particular engine. On the other hand, some folks say that Isuzu were (are?) good for dealing with warranty claims and would even go the extra mile and do work at no charge, on a good will basis I suppose.

In any case, the modern offering from Isuzu is restricted to pick-up type trucks, unless I am missing something about their current range of products?

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Dave

Dave, spot on - no turbo - and the later models were, but not as reliable.

As I recall it has 4 wheel high and 4 wheel low - and once I pulled a heavy
boat out of a lake using 4 wheel low, not to mention mudding through when sunk in to the axels great/superb clearance. I have to say the Trooper, at least the model I own, is pretty much unstoppable.

xfiltrate

Just remembered,I used it every couple weeks to haul a long and heavy flatbed trailer heavily loaded with all sorts of trash each week to the muddy dump, through sleet, snow, heavy flooding etc.

The 3.0 Turbo Diesel is the 4JX1 engine I had in my two. Holden were useless for warranty, but that was probably mostly because the dealer "technicians" had no clue about that engine. Lots of info on it here: 4JX1 3.0 TDI - Australia4WD Forum

I believe the later Rodeo/D-Max engine is a different unit and more reliable. But that engine never made it into the Trooper/Jackaroo/Monterey.

Cheers,
Brett.

__________________
May 2015 - Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track in a 1969 Mini Van.
http://www.facebook.com/TeamBMCAdventures

I have a tfs pickup truck (sold as the vauxhall brava in the uk) but mines got the 3.1 turbo engine and a lsd in the rear

Its a great vehicle, watch for rust or maybe cos mines an import it wasn't treated in the factory

but the engine is smooth, economical (30+ mpg on a run) and will pull anything, used alot for pulling trailers

Wish I could have the engine in my Iveco

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Rich

Iveco Turbo Daily 4x4 40-10
Ex Owner LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'