personal experiences with 4x4s namely ISUZU MU

[gleem]

I have 4k ish to spend. want a SWB diesel 4wd. So it seems like its either a padjero or isuzu mu.

Pretty keen on the mu's as they look the best on paper with small body and large engine 2.8t or 3.1t.

Any way. All info on the net goes against each other. Apparently the 3.1 uses alot more gas for the extra 300cc, has a weaker head and uses a different injection system.

In terms of the truck itself it seems they are well built, reliable, Reasonably light, cheap parts etc

As for the mitsi it seems less reliable but better off road. thats all i know.

I want all unbias opinions from people who hace actually owned one or done a fair bit of work on one.

Use for all round towing, offroading and mostly around town diving.

Thanks

[eskimo]

A mate has had a 3.1TD MU for the last 5 years, mint truck would take it over the Paj any day, brilliant offroad with a bit of a lift and some good tyres.

[Stu-]

Mu FTW.

Don't read into the head issue too much. Its the later Bighorns that are shit. 2.8's are pretty strong as is the 4JG2 3.1. Heaps of easy mods for hp too

[h8wrxs]

Mu ftw in my opinion too

mate of mine had one here in aus, our goal each weekend was to get it stuck, and normally we failed

but i would recommend an 80's 2 door land cruiser, they go anywhere and are cooler than a mu i think

they quite often come up pretty cheap, had a quick look on trademe then but couldnt find any examples

[no_8wire]

Mu - Never had any issues in mine and it copped some abuse. It did sweet jumps too...

[Mr Revhead]

The Isuzuengines leak oil worse than a 3sge so keep it topped up

[Stu-]

Your semi correct but not all of them are bad. The early 3.1's are awesome engines, its the second gen onwards that you need to top up daily. Its amazing that all the later model issues didn't come up during pre release testing as it seems to happen regardless of the k's

[Mr Revhead]

Yeah I'm not familiar enough with them to know the difference between generations etc. I just know that all the 3.1 Isuzu engines in MU's and Bighorns I used to service all leaked a LOT more than the earlier 2.8s.
You'd think that later versions would be an improvement!

[panda_dan]

I have no experience with the Mu, sounds like most people like them, but i'll go in to go into bat for the old Paj. I've had 2 and they've both been outstanding.

Both have been 4d56 2.4 diesel turbo 5 speed manual, auto hubs

Just as happy offroad as on. Don't much like going over 110kms but a comfy ride nonetheless. Tow all day too

Plus my second one was an exceed model with heated leather seats, rear LSD, elec windows, bigger discs etc

Don't hesitate to snap up a Paj!

[TRD Man]

Had quite a few MU on the yard years ago. They never gave trouble whilst we had them and, most importantly, we never saw them back for warranty work either.

Having said that, before I refused to stock any Mitsubishi we had a few Pajero also and cannot recall any major issue.

[Quint]

Don't hesitate to snap up a Paj!

Had the smaller pajs and they are an excellent little wagon, wouldn't hesitate to buy one again.
MU are great off road from the few times i've played in one.... though I did end up putting it into a ditch on gravel

[audi man]

I have had a bighorn with the 3.1 diesel turbo engine for about 2 years now and it been bloody awesome its been used to tow my supra and my boat with no problems.

[gleem]

ok great. didnt know that about the later gen 3.1s. Im planning on having it for years and years. Car i get some info on fuel consumptions between the 2.8 and 3.1. cheers. Also i have found it hard to get the stats on 4x4s. I want weight and power between the versions and models on surfs, mitsi, mu etc

[Bling]

www.google.com

If you can't find it there you either aren't looking hard enough or the information doesn't exist.

[Stu-]

Can't give you fuel figures on the 2 bighorns in our family as they're all modified and the pumps have been played with.

[Santa'sBoostinSleigh]

i saw some bros up mt egmont who got their mu stuck, they tried driving 2 wheels on one side of snow bank and 2 on the sealed road, the 4x4 system wasnt in their favour...

[gleem]

ive googled and googled. They change from forum to forum and wiki isnt helpfull on this

[loose_unit]

I had a 91 2.8 for about 2 years. Leaked plenty of oil and was a bit smokey but it never gave up the ghost. Mine was seriously gutless until it came on boost, think the 3.1's are alot better off boost.

[loudstealthGT-Four]

i saw some bros up mt egmont who got their mu stuck, they tried driving 2 wheels on one side of snow bank and 2 on the sealed road, the 4x4 system wasnt in their favour...

like the surf on the grass

[Bling]

Zing