97 3.1 Bighorn Engine, any tips or info please

[deano2]

Righto, I have ventured into the big brave world of Bighorn teritory. I have purchased, yet to have it delivered a 1997 Big Horn SE Lotus.
What is the difference between this model and the previous 3.1, that is 92 - 95 model to the 95 to 97 model.
Does it need any special treatment,
Does any one know if they have electronic speedos or are mecahnical, plus what does the SE stand for?
Do these models have any characteristics about them?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Deano

[Dave]

Speedo should be electronic like the earlier versions, very handy to disconnect when off road, since you shouldnt be paying RUC's anyway (have yet to try this myself).
The only special treatment it needs is regular off road use

[deano2]

Thanks for that, I actually have a mate who is an Auto electrician he said no problem with a switch. Of course I will only do this off road,
and where I live (Buller - West Coast) this should not be a problem with the off roading.

[geeves]

The SE and Lotus refer to the equipment spec in this case its just green paint and a slightly uprated suspension Theres not any differances between the irmshire and lotus that realy matter. The later 3.1 engine had electronic control of the injectors how much differance it makes I dont know but they do go well.
Change the oil every 5000 and use a good diesel oil Change the oil filter every 10000 and the fuel and fuel filters every 20000 and youl get a good run

[deano2]

All this is appreciated, and yes it is a greenish colour with the bottom band goldie silver.
You mentioned the suspension being uprated, cold you explain more please, plus do you know of any web sites dedicated to the Bighorn regading its specs please?
Thanks for your input so far.

[Dave]

Try this site, it allows you to compare differet models/years.
also.http://www.auto.vl.ru/catalog_eng/isuzu/bighorn/

Had a look at my speedo last night and it has 3 wires coming off it, you may be able to hook your switch up so that only the odo. is disconectable and your speedo still goes.....

[deano2]

Thanks Dave, that site is the ticket, just what the Doctor ordered. very interesting stuff on the specs.
Yeah that sounds right, apparently you can do that to the speedo, the marvels of modern technology. One thing I reckon is they forgot to take into account the Kiwi "can do just about anything" attitude
Thanks again for the info.

[tourist]

AFAIK, the latter model has slightly wider track.

[isuzumudman]

A word of warning.

The speed sensor on the transmission has 3 wires. Power, Ground & Pulse. Pulse is a square wave which goes first to the speedo/odometer and then to the ECU.

At the ECU the pulse is used to determine OD characteristics. I.E. If you unplug the speed sensor from the trans I understand that you will not go into OD with an auto.

Feedback please.

[toady]

This topic is probably done and dusted since it hasn't been commented on for a while, but, I have a friend, that would tell you that for an auto 3.1 you want to run a switch off the earth and one of the other two wires. In the off position speedo doesn't work and auto will not go passed 2nd gear. By momentarily switching the switch when third is required, speedo will come alive and auto will use other two gears. Flip the switch off again and speedo dies and top two gears are now available. This will need to be repeated each time the vehicle comes down to first gear. Funnily enough dropping to second doesn't stop it from going back into the top two gears once you've done it the first time.
As long as you position the switch in a easy to reach position, it works ideally so that if you forget to turn it back on after offroading and are stopped for a check, it's just a case of turning it back on again. Also in stop start traffic (while offroad of course) you have the option of leaving the switch on. While switch is off Transmission warning light will flash. You get used to ignoring this after a while.