-88-'s Garage! :D

[-88-]

Taking measure of how many zu's I already have; how many more I want/may end up with. Versus my hectic schedule and gross inability to hardly keep up with one build thread, as updates occur my new game plan is a single garage for all my isuzus. Then if, when, or as I do something truly unique I'll host a build thread on that particular project. So a body lift, suspension upgrades, run of the mill stuff will be found in here, but a rocket powered drivetrain build will get its own thread so others may follow my lead a might bit easier.

It all started with the pickup truck. I had no affiliations with isuzus at this point, I was simply looking for a cheap truck to replace an old Cherokee. The role of this truck was to be field running, fence mending, highspeed offroading, prerunner type, and semi-daily driver. I stumbled across a 1995 Isuzu pickup for a good price, 2wd, fuel injected, and something different.....Don't see many isuzus round here it'll be fun being even more of an oddball(or so I thought).....Well I figured out why, supremely limited suspension travel. I was prepared for the limited aftermarket, (itdidntsayjeep) but such limited front travel to boot. Boy a kick in the teeth eh? Oh well I steady kept rocking the dude, and stumbled thru the interenet until finding the zoo for a little more guidance....instead they lit a burning passion.

It all started out like this. Pretty much stock, drop in bedliner, tool box, and super awesome after market stero by 1985 standards. Bedliner vanished instantly, old headache rack turned up, and some spare offroad lights were mounted; thus Frank was born.

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Then came a tasty rear-end collision that bought one heck of an expensive set of tires on some axiom wheels, and some suspension components.

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[-88-]

Now with that weakened, bent, inadequate rear bumper, something had to be done...I fabbed up just that something, I was never happy with the final design far different then what was in my head. Strength and protection was far superior to stock so its been serving well, but will still be revisited one day.

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Since my fab tools were all geared up I started on some rocker protection. These I was very much satisfied with, a few design tweaks, but just aesthetics so very much happy about'em.

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Then came a big day as I bolted up numerous parts I'd been hoarding, making a huge transition in the appearance of the truck. Amigo fenders, bumper trim, new grill, wheel spacers all sorts of goodies.

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[-88-]

Then came a sad snowy, mostly icey day riding back home from work. The tread wrights inspired a little too much confidence as I found myself doing 60mph on 1-2inches of solid ice. My slip in judgement was indeed rewarded with consequences. Tractions broke, and I lost it for a bit....regained traction for a short bit, just long enough to get a better direction of travel b4 absolutely no control. Hit the ditch sliding at a 45d angle b4 the driverside tires dug in and flipped the truck a full 360, we skidded a bit b4 the tires dug back in and we flipped again onto the roof of the cab, and rolled over the passenger side onto all 4 again. It was freaking awesome, and I truly wish you could've been there....especially as Isuzu triumphed once more, fired right back up and finished the twenty mile trip home like nothing happened.

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This event certainly turned a new chapter in Franks existence, but he is far from being written off. I have a general repair in mind for the cab, nothing super fancy, just enough. He'll be de'modified to a modest level. Move to the sole position of field truck. A less beaten, but heavily utilized position.

[-88-]

Somewhere along the process of making Frank more awesome, but before squishing him this is Isuzu thing had more then engulfed me. I absolutely had to have more, much more, many, many, many more....but how? Wifey, buy one for the wife brilliant.....There was one in the classifieds that'd I had been eyeballing in need a smidgeon of repair b4 travel....in SC....damnit. Oh wait it got fixed, and I jumped on it like a bi*** in heat....quickly convincing the wife it was for her, and the trip would be fun. So on the first of the year we were off, a new year, a new trooper, a new baby, and a wife for me. We flew out to meet grobrooks whom just welcomed the addition of a beautiful baby girl to his family. We were welcoming the addition of his shiny trooper to ours, and on the way home getting hitched. In honor of everyone, and everything happening me the the new wife opted to name the new trooper after the new baby, as such Adda was welcomed to our family, and grobrooks.

We picked her up fairly humble, grobrooks had done a mild lift with a spring spacer and tbar crank, and some new treadwrights.

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Included in the back of the trooper were a few extra bits and pieces including some calmini lift springs. Went to work right away improving her stance a bit more, and playing musical wheels and tires with the truck. Painting the stock trooper spider webs wheels black as they transferred over to the pu't.

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Not much has gone on, or been done since. Adda still remains fairly humble, a matter of time well there lack of. Lots are in plan, and one day I'll be able to start knocking down the wish list for her, one day she'll be more then brag worthy even by the high standards of the zoo. Humble or not we've been having a blast with her.

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[-88-]

Only 2 isuzus tho.....is that enough? Especially with one being squished? Uhm no not even close, must have more, 2 will not do. Patience does tend to pay off and yet another has been found and added to the collection. In need of love, but should be well suited there after to take franks place as my daily......but certainly not in stock form. Picked up cheap with a blown head gasket....2.6 no surprise eh? At some point he was in the hands of a Mexican, nothing wrong with it, but his presence is certainly noticeable. Otherwise I once more have a nice stock pile of parts that will slowly be rounded out as a complete lift. The head gasket repairs are far underway and hopefully he'll be running in a matter of days. In the mean time 'Tin Cup' is yet a very nother happy addition to my family.

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[DSUZU]

Lookin good so far. I've gotta know, what's that behind the dog? Red w/white top. ?????????? Dennis

[-88-]

But why stop at just THREE? WHY NOT FOUR? Well aside from a brief break for dinner absolutely no reason! Rounding my clan out at four, atleast for the time being, another 3rd gen trooper! This one a 2002 2wd auto, not really sure what will become of her. She's aged terribly for how old she is, and her tranny is most definitely on the way out, but I love her regardless....and in homage and tribute to Creeper of naming'em after old broads we'd all love to bang I give you Betty White.

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I invite you stay tuned, but please don't do so at the edges of your seats.......what will be next!? Some mod work, yet another isuzu, the answer to dennis' interrupting question? Well that one yes, but afterwards? Who knows?

[-88-]

Lookin good so far. I've gotta know, what's that behind the dog? Red w/white top. ?????????? Dennis

1958 2 door, Buick special, 351 nailhead, 3 on the tree.

[DSUZU]

Man, you've got a collection of iron there. I thought maybe '57 Chevy, but now more rare. Just saw a sweet 55 Buick hardtop wagon last Sunday. Dennis

[CREEPER]

Betty White?! LMAO!!

[-88-]

Yes....In homage and tribute to you......named her after an old broad we'd all love to bang, an for whom she mostly resembled. If you look at her and don't see the strong similarities, then maybe I need to lay off the lsd? (The drug not the diff)

[CREEPER]

Yes....In homage and tribute to you......named her after an old broad we'd all love to bang, an for whom she mostly resembled. If you look at her and don't see the strong similarities, then maybe I need to lay off the lsd? (The drug not the diff)

Dude!! I love her as an actress, but.....no urges to hunch her! Maybe I just have no taste!

[-88-]

Okay named her after an old broad /some/ of us would love to bang....... In all honesty tho money may play into my temtations, I mean she's almost out...and with Betty White money you know how many more zu's I could add to my garage?

[CREEPER]

I want the fender flares if you decide to part out! Lol!

[-88-]

You'd be short the one rear piece on the p-side door. Otherwise I believe they're all present and in acceptable condition.

[DSUZU]

the the answer to dennis' interrupting question?

Hey, you don't want questions, put up blue tarps before you take pictures! You made this thread "-88-'s Garage", therefore EVERYTHING in the "garage" is fair game. Dennis

[-88-]

I'm most amused you didn't catch that the first time around. otherwise i was only referencing ur canid ability to break up the stream of isuzus....You do arise a very valid point however, at no instance did i specify this as a isuzu specific garage....So when i get home, I'll share as to why i don't have enough tarps.

[-88-]

Okay here comes some more (most) of my garage.

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This still isn't it...

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There maybe a few more roaming about, but I'll call it quit on my baby.

[CREEPER]

OMG I GOTTA PAINT THAT TRACTOR!!!

[-88-]

I gave you the little one.....you want to do the big one? It's cuz of the CREEPERBILT grill huh?

[-88-]

Did a quick mock-up......looks like alot of work to make it fit. IDK if I'ma invest that much effort or not, I paid 4g so I might need too.....desicions, desicions, desicions. Mostly this thread needed some sort of activity....This is the best I got ha.....i hate my job.

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*edit:corrected puragya photos

[fischerry]

Cut it up right down the middle then sleeve it. And start on the head light hoops and repeat why not it'll be one of a kind.

[-88-]

......And well oh crud the garage is still growing.

Thanks to a Canadian eskimo that sometimes rooms with Santa Clause, a central Texan that enjoys cheer a little too much now has yet another zu. 92isuzupickup (ross) is like a zu bloodhound, he is constantly finding gems across multiple nations....in localities that make you wonder, using resources that can only be magic.

This time around he came up with a 92 or 94 (I've got mixed information to iron out) spacer. Just a few hours from me in DFW, but 2wd auto....well okay bit of a tough sale. I just so happened to have plans that were putting me in the vicinity, & 4x4 is just a bonus to me why not atleast put some eyes on the truck? He didn't look too bad for the vintage seen some better & some worse. Nothing too 'tampered' with any where another good sign. Fired him up sounded good, nice & smooth.....i had places to be tho with no time for a test drive.....wifey was already crying.....

okay so fairly clean, and the place definitely seemed willing to deal.....4banger automatic tho? I haven't had one of those in over 10 years & it was absolutely horrible. Okay we'll see what the zoo has to say. I didn't get the number of responses I'd hoped for, but the ones I did carried alot of weight. Well shoot i guess with the opinions received, it wouldn't be a a complete waste of time to return for a test drive, with a "number" in my head....

Well okay idle seems a little high...no tach, not a familiar engine, but pretty good lurch dropping to D. So very strange mini truck 4banger with auto....of we go. Hey not too bad off the line....little more go pedal. Well go ahead and shift....come on shift...ooooooomph, oh there it is finaly. Next gear come on now...... So shifting a little high & with a decent jerk. Not right, but not bad especially by 1990 standards. Proper filter & fluid change with new solinoids should be right as rain.

Okay so test drive went pretty good. Get the auto into spec & i think i could live with it. Especially with my intended use, more commuting then 'work'. So fairly clean bodied zu, reasonablish miles, rarity of the spacecab vs auto, no carpet, decent ding in a fender, dash vents all broke, no 4x4 (only a bonus for the criteria 2day). The price isn't bad, but once you test drive...ya'know you gotta have it. Let's hagle! Got him down to 1900 out the door with TT&L. That's about or a little less then 1600 for a decent spacecab.

Sweet let's head home! Drove modestly out of the metroplex traffic area...made my halfway home safety point & pushed him a little harder. Not like i stole it, not yet anyways, SOB white smoke. Did I mention the temp gauge is a little wonky? So I really have been timid with him, even 'pushing'...grab an off ramp. Smoke not making it out the tip of the pipe, coming thru the flex pipe & possibly a few other joints. So most likely have a clogged cat. Seemed more like steam then smoke, but water & oil checked out fine, & power never seemed too adversely affected...screw it let him cool down & try again....otw home another test, a big hill, big enough & steep enough there's no 'babying' up it really.....After the first incident i was dreading it, but not much I could do about it besides be as gentle as possible.....well no luck got more steamy white smoke at the top. Dodged into rest area at the top & repeated previous inspection & actions. Tranny either looks pretty new or well steam cleaned.

Well sob......my problems now. Plan of attack.Get head gasket set, see what's going on there. New timing belt, waterpump, t-stat combo to cover my butt. Maybe remove smog, hollow out cat, new exhaust later on. Tranny service filter, fluid, new shift solinoids?This should get him on the road & reliable, then I can turn to fun stuff & amenities....

so with out further ado i give you José Rosé! Why José Rosé? Well José because by planetisuzoo standards this trucks going the wrong way José....Rosé because of the red & a strange tip of the hat to Ross (92isuzupickup) for finding the truck. OLÉ!

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Long term plans after the previously discussed maintenance issues are resolved. Lower ride height, nothing severe a 2-3 inch drop, easily reversed. Given the increased rarity of spacers nothing too detrimental will be done....figure out flooring & A/C vents tx is HOT! chrome package, big window doors, idk what sort of wheel/tire nonsense I'ma do yet. Good tunes, may have a head start here pioneer 6x9s in the back & what i think might be a good deck, currently inop I'm pegging loose wire fuse is good....custom paint & graphics by corporal Coley's paint brigade. Get him to finaly fix my tractor thingy when he's here too. Tach guage of some sort, i trust autos with RPMs less then sticks.Delta top end cam grind, 4 into 1 header(dennis?) super xtra long term, turbo? Somebody wanna shoot me in the head b4 i bury myself alive under isuzu's?