Late Intro

[JoeIsuzu]

I originally had my intro as the main page of the website, but that's long gone. So I'm posting this as my Introduction to the group, and to test/demonstrate how to add photos to a post with the new forum software.

I bought my '83 P'up brand new in September 1983. The '84 models hadn't made it to the dealer yet, so an '83 looked good to me. Had a new job, and we needed a second vehicle. I was sold on diesels--we already had an '80 VW Rabbit, and really liked the mileage. I was leaning toward a diesel VW pickup, but it just didn't seem enough like a truck. I drove a Mazda B2000 diesel, and it seemed like a tin can. Then I drove a DX model P'up, and was amazed at the difference. It wasn't quite what I was looking for, but it was the only one on the dealer's lot, and he wanted too much money for it. So we went to another dealer (at that time, there were three or four Isuzu dealers in Memphis!). We hunted for a P'up with every available option, and the LS seemed to fit the bill nicely. After some fierce "negotiating" we ended up buying for about $9,600 -- this was about $1,000 less than originally priced. I'm hoping I can find a photo somewhere it a scrapbook, I remember making some. If I do, I'll post them.

Over the years, the truck has been great. The only major unplanned maintenance was when the transmission bearings went out, around 85,000 miles. I'm fairly certain this was due to a shop using the wrong lubricant, but couldn't prove it. Now the rust is getting the best of it, at least in the bed. And I am having some performance issues, but nothing major.

When these started getting scarce, I was having trouble finding mechanics who knew anything about them. I thought it would be great if we could get in touch with other P'up (and LUV) owners, and exchange ideas. I had been a member of the IsuzuTD group on Yahoo! but that just wasn't enough. On a whim, I discovered that the domain "IsuzuPup.com" was available, and decided to start a site sometime in the summer of 2004. I ran the site on an old Pentium 166 for a while. I learned about forum software, and started this forum on August 12, 2004. The forum still runs on a regular PC (a Celeron 2Ghz machine) in my living room.

Here are a few photos of the truck...

The good side...

Photo from the Forum banner...

This is a serious WORK truck!

The P'up and me...

So, there's my "Introduction". Better late than never, right?

Let's see yours!

Jack

[MilesTugoh]

Hi Jack,
Great post and idea to encourage others to post their intro with pictures of self and P'uP.. Unfortunately my camera is not available now, one of those extended 'loan' situations .. I will be taking it back soon and post some pics of me and mine .. Since my truck is identical to yours I could just crop you out of the . no that wouldn't be right.

I'll get back to you with my own pictures. Thanks for the work you do that benefits us all on this site.

Regards,
Miles

[JoeIsuzu]

Here's what I need to do on my P'up...

1. Fix the cruise control. Normally, this would be at the bottom of the priority list, but I don't want to drive 1,300 miles to/from the meet-up in Charlotte without cruise control.
2. Get the IP and injectors cleaned and rebuilt.
3. Attack the rust on the bed...eventually get it repainted.
4. Repair or replace the heater core. Based on the carpet stains, I think it's leaking.
5. Upgrade the exterior mirrors. Power mirrors?
6. Upgrade the transmission to a later-model 5-speed.

Jack

[JoeIsuzu]

1. Fix the cruise control. Normally, this would be at the bottom of the priority list, but I don't want to drive 1,300 miles to/from the meet-up in Charlotte without cruise control.

Well, that got done before the trip to Charlotte.

I hit a milestone while driving over to our meeting location...

This almost slipped by me, I happened to look down right before it rolled to 200000.1.

Jack

[Torkjunky]

Just getting broke in.

[reidxv]

Great site Jack: New member here working on my intro as we speak. Keep up the great work !! Pete

[Gamedragon11290]

Good job on this site... It has been and will continue to be the greatest Isuzu Pup Enthusiast site on the internet.

[JoeIsuzu]

Good job on this site... It has been and will continue to be the greatest Isuzu Pup Enthusiast site on the internet.

Heheheh... Thanks. That's not hard when it's the ONLY Isuzu P'up Enthusiast site.

Jack

[Gamedragon11290]

Just telling it like it is. This site is great!

[puttputtinpup]

Just a little bit of trivia...the 2nd picture of Jack's truck was one of two used in the design of the IsuzuPup.com t-shirt

[Gamedragon11290]

Well I might only be 17 but My main source of income is by working with computers and building custom machines along with being a freelance IT so a complement from me is a very good thing. This site is put together very well and has brought a bunch of people with a common passion together... Not a lot of people could pull that off. Nice job... and as A side note Maybe we can have a truck meet again (hopefully somewhere a teeny bit closer to FL so my parents will let me go) and I was thinking that maybe we could, get this, Get together an Isuzu PUP poker run and raise some money for Saint Jude Children's Hospital or a similar cause and make a good impression on the community. (My mother and I work for Domino's Pizza and we had put together a motorcycle poker run at Crystal River Harley Davidson for the same cause and it wasn't that hard to set up...)

[margaret fishman]

Jack , This is Margaret: How u Do'in, I am so jealous ,u have cruise control ,and ur trucks a year older than mine. That is so unfair !

[JoeIsuzu]

Jack , This is Margaret: How u Do'in, I am so jealous ,u have cruise control ,and ur trucks a year older than mine. That is so unfair !

Margaret, the cruise control was aftermarket. It has since been removed, because it flexed the throttle cable and eventually caused it to break.

Jack

[handyman30728]

Great site Jack keep up the great job you do running it

[JoeIsuzu]

A while back, I posted this "to-do" list...

1. Fix the cruise control. Normally, this would be at the bottom of the priority list, but I don't want to drive 1,300 miles to/from the meet-up in Charlotte without cruise control.
2. Get the IP and injectors cleaned and rebuilt.
3. Attack the rust on the bed...eventually get it repainted.
4. Repair or replace the heater core. Based on the carpet stains, I think it's leaking.
5. Upgrade the exterior mirrors. Power mirrors?
6. Upgrade the transmission to a later-model 5-speed.

Some of those items have been done for quite a while. Others, more recently. Here's what I've recently completed:

• Replaced all bolts on the pressure plate (fixed the noise it was making)
• Replaced rear main seal.
• Replaced/upgraded A/C system (last summer).
• Replaced original radiator with one from an '86 automatic (last summer?).
• Replaced differential, rear axle seals and bearings. Cleaned and lubricated adjusters (last summer?).
• Upgraded stereo (head unit, front speakers, rear subs).
• Had my shop go through the entire front end and replace all worn parts (bushings, ball joints, etc.).
• Had the shop replace brake pads and rotors.
• Replaced pinion seal.

It's now running and driving better than it has in many years. It's getting about 36 MPG around town, consistently. Power is good, and NO squeaks, squeals, creaks, clunks, or rattles. And, the A/C is keeping me really comfortable. So, I'm putting together a new list, and hope to get as far as the new bed and paint by its 30th "birthday" this September. Here's my updated to-do list:

1. Adjust valves.
2. Hard-wire (and hide) the garage door opener.
3. Repair or replace leaking power steering pump.
4. Repair hail damage on roof and hood.
5. Upgrade the exterior mirrors. Power mirrors?
6. Replace bed.
7. Paint. I'm still not sure if I want the original "clown paint" or maybe just make it all the reddish color.
8. Have the injectors cleaned and rebuilt.

Jack