89 Isuzu Pup

[hessmess]

Earlier in the spring I bought an 89 Spacecab 4X4 from another member in LaGrande Oregon. Since then I have been picking up pieces here and there and junking out my old 88 Trooper. Had to make room. Well it's now running and some folks have been bugging me (nicely) to get some pictures up. I have been having some trouble doing the picture thing. I cannot seem to update my sig pictures and info. So here is my attempt to start a thread of the Pup. To date I have picked up the Pup, let it sit, drag it into the garage, pulled down the top end, found a blown head gasket and burned valve, installed a low milage AMC head, stole the tires and wheels from the Trooper temporarly, and ran it through the hills. It ran great and climbed great. My camara died so pictures are limited. Future plans are to install shackle and T bar lift, LSD in the rear, header and oversized exhaust, and fix the small amount of rust on the body. Overall I am thrilled with the truck, I have about 200 miles on it, the MPG is good (18MPG on old gas), the 4WD works great and it is comfortable. So here are some pictures I hope.

[thebigbread]

That's a nice truck, amazed at how well the graphics on the tailgate have held up. Not a fan of the camper shell though, but hey, its still nice.

[hessmess]

The shell could be off in a matter of a few minutes, I like the covered storage. The little rack is really ugly, so I believe its a goner soon. The tailgate graphics are faded a bit, but still good. I like the Isuzu mud flaps. Still getting used to the little truck, had only driven Troopers in the past.

[Cronk]

That's a neat truck! Glad to hear it was saved and that you got it running.

Can't wait for updates. Honestly, I think the topper is cool. Just needs to be a different color to balance with the rest of the truck.

[recon]

isuzu pups rock.your spacecab is super cool recon

[hessmess]

Thanks guys, I am excited about this new rig. It did well in the mountains this past weekend, but I have no pictures as my camera crapped out. The next upgrade is going to be a shackle and T bar lift. I am working on a deal on a LSD, should know about that in the next couple of days. I still have the 91 Trooper in the garage for some minor repairs. While it is in there I stole the tires and battery for awhile.

[tbecktold]

It makes me happy to see this thing resurrected. It's fitting also, when I was thinking about buying this truck hessmess stopped by on a trip through and checked it out for me and we talked several times on the phone about it, I'm glad it went to him.

I think it needs Snowflakes and a little bigger tire though. It has the Big Tire Package, shouldn't it have an LSD? Can't remember the option codes offhand.

[Selahdoor]

Man, if I could get a spacecab, (It would have to at least be running so I could drive it home.), I'd give up both troopers for it. (One of them even runs. But both are in good shape.)

If I could find a DIESEL spacecab, (It would have to at least be running so I could drive it home.), I'd give up both troopers AND a 1/2 ton chevy 4x4 pickup.

[hessmess]

It does not have the LSD option, I even jacked it up to spin tires and it is open. I am afraid my deal for the LSD is not going to work out. The guy who put it up for sale just does not seem interested in getting it going, but I will find one someday! Keep waiting for a second gen to show up in the scrapyard but no luck yet.

[hessmess]

So I have been driving this thing every day now and I enjoy it more every day. I am through all the bad gas and so far the MPG is 18. Maybe the next tank will be better. Spent part of the last weekend shampooing the carpets and trying to get out the tiny rodent smell I keep smelling. To me it is amazing how the upholstry has held up! I have the lift shackles in the garage, might get them on next week. I came across a cruise control and I am wanting to get this installed also. I have been thinking I might get the header on and the 2.25 exhaust too. But I really like how quiet it is now and the power seems good, Have to think some more on that one. Getting older and a loud 4 banger might be annoying.

[hessmess]

Well it is going into the exhaust shop in the morning for a "cat back" system. I was going to have the entire system replaced but haven't gotten the header on yet. The exhaust guy suggested the cat back to get it going and when I get the header on its nothing to hook up to the rest of the system. Going to put the cruise on next week. Daughter is getting married on Saturday so I should get with the program and get her going.

[ervan]

could you give me your steering wheel....
I am interested to have it for my RS Trooper

[hessmess]

could you give me your steering wheel....
I am interested to have it for my RS Trooper

I would give you the steering wheel if I came across a cooler one But the shipping would be......well higher than the highest mountain!

[hessmess]

Got the Cat Back system on, turns out the cat had been oversized by the PO. It runs better and has the lower end power I was hoping for. It seemed to lack power right when engaging the clutch. That is now gone. It has a turbo muffler now and at idle it is quiet. Gets a little raspy at 2K RPM. So I am pleased thus far. The plan this next week is to get the cruise control on. I hope to take pictures of the process, I got my new camera, and it is working as well as I know how.

[hessmess]

Well another update, the cruise control is in the wings but I had a buddy work on the AC today and now it works great. It is an R12 system and we used a product called Freeze 12 and it worked great. He pulled a vaccume and then let it sit for over 2 hours on vaccume and no leaks! Pressured it up and it seems to work great. We have about a month of warm weather left so I will enjoy it as long as I can. Now on to the cruise!

[tbecktold]

WIsh I would have kept it now! What wheels/tires are on it now?

[hessmess]

The tires/wheels haven't changed yet. Well I bought a almost new set of tires off a junker for 10 bucks so its still the 235/75R/15. It will stay that way for the winter I am sure, unless another great deal rolls around. I know you miss it Trent but I am sure happy to have it!

Dick

[tbecktold]

How about some pics of it out and about? What kind of mileage are you getting? Take the canopy off yet?

[ImpulseRocket89]

That is a nice truck! I always wanted a spacecab 4x4 like yours, but they are impossible to find here in any shaped other than rusty junk.

As far as the LSD goes, check www.car-part.com. Just be warned that there are no rebuild parts for the 10 Bolt LSD found in my Isuzu, so if its shot, its shot. Your better off trying to swap in a 12 bolt from a newer year truck. I'm sure there's plenty of info out there on it, but im no expert when it comes to the trucks. If you ever get an Impulse I'm your man!

[hessmess]

Here ya go! Check out this thread.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=55866&p=474979#p474979
I got 18.5 MPG on this last run, went about 175 miles with about 30 or so low range. Went up as high as 8600 elevation.
My Spacecab has the 12 bolt rear in it with the disc brakes. I have one out of New Mexico that I am working on getting from another member.
Thanks guys!

[tbecktold]

Another Pickup?

[hessmess]

You are the first one to even try to see what that is! It is the 86 Trooper I sold to my brother a about 5 years ago.

[squatch]

I really like the color combo on that truck. The brown interior looks much better than the drab grey in most of there trucks.

[hessmess]

Since that photo was taken I have cleaned the carpets and seats and the color is better and sharper. I am enjoying the truck so much I have really ignored the Trooper. If today goes as planned I am going to start installing the aftermarket cruise control in the Pup.

[tbecktold]

Get the cruise control in? Using a factory switch or?

What's the plan once the lift happens? I'm hoping 16" Snowflakes and 235/85/16s personally. Or maybe chrome Vehicross wheels and something roughly 32" tall...
I still miss the truck, but so glad you could give it the love I couldn't