Need help with a decision

[fenlon]

Hello all, I need a little help. I own a 1990 swb 2.8 bighorn with it's fair share of rust. I just blew out a brake line and decided I'm tired of fixing stuff every other week. I found a 1995 MU for sale with a 2.6 in it and was just wondering which was the better truck. Both run great. It t seems to me that the bighorn has more nice touches (Recaro seats, heated seats, leather steering wheel, etc.) So should I keep fixing the bighorn or is the MU just as good of a truck?

Thanks for the opinions,
Jim

[pig75]

I own a 2.6 MU and a 2.8 MU. The 2.6 is heavy on fuel and does not pull well. the 2.8 is a dream to drive

[fenlon]

Sorry, MU's a 2.6 Diesel

[pig75]

You sure it's a 2.6 diesel? I have herd of a 2.5 diesel 4JA1 but not a 2.6

[fenlon]

I know it's a diesel, I'm just not sure what size. What sizes came in the 95s?

[Roger]

3.1 litre- my '95 is.
Is yours an update or do you have the square dash?
Mabye updates have other engines- I don't know, someone might though.

[fenlon]

I don't know much about the MU yet...I'm going to test drive it tomorrow. Is there any easy way to tell what size it is? All the information in the manual/title is in Japanese.

[Yarno]

The engine size should be writen on the crossover pipe where the intercooler is on yours....

[geeves]

It should have a plate on the firewall with the engine on it If its a 4jb1t then its a non intercooled 2.8 and will look rather familier. If its a 4jg2 then its the 3.1.
Mus are a lot smaller than lwb bighorns but otherwise they share most of the same parts and in your case 5 years and many many miles younger so if you can take the size differance it will see you right.
alan
89 bighorn.

[fenlon]

If it is the 2.8, is it possible to fit it with the intercooler from my bighorn?

[mudgrip4]

Hi Fenlon - not common to find a 95 Mu with 2.8 as isuzu fitted 3.1 motor from late 1993 I think. May pay to check year also. Open your bonnet and look against firewall just in front of steering wheel (for right hand drive). You will find a plate with written on it the VIN number. It should read something like UCS 55DW or UCS69DWM or UCS69GW etc. This tells you the model number, and if you find this and post it here on the site, I will check for you the year of manufacture in Japan and the motor size - some reliable websites available for this. Engine type ( e.g. 4JB1T ) and cc rating (2771 for the 2.8 motor) should be printed in big letters on info plates (amongst the Japanese writing) also stuck to firewall at back of motor. There are still 2.8 motors fitted to Isuzu vehicles new in some parts of world, but not aware of 95 Jap model Mus with 2.8. - Mike.

[geeves]

it can be done but you need to turn the inlet round on the turbo (only if its the original 2.8 turbo if 3.1 or aftermarket turbo this might not work). Mount the intercooler and cut a hole in the bonnet and mount your hood scoop.
Not as easy as it sounds but has been done several times

[Pissy]

I would go for the MU depending on how its drives, if 95 model surely it’s a 3.1 diesel? Also helps to know about service history and especially oil changes for a healthy turbo plus if it has had the timing belt done, if over 100,000kms and there is a good chance that is has no/less rust than your bighorn. Both are tough trucks and “yes” the Mu is smaller but the seats do fold up towards the front leaving a nice size cargo area, although I am bias towards the MU’s.

Cheer

[Andrew]

same here.. go the MU

[oleg]

Were are you Fenlon? In New Zealand or rest of the world? I have Mu(Wizard) for sale with 3.1 TD 4JG2

[fenlon]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm in Japan. I pick up my new MU tomorrow.

[oleg]

You lucky Devil

[fenlon]

I got the MU and I love it!!! I'm spending the weekend swapping lift parts from the Bighorn to the MU. Gonna try to fit my 2.8's intercooler too. ;D Thanks all for the advice.

Jim