1994 Isuzu Pickup Base model 2.3L gasoline from North America

Summary:

A great little truck

Faults:

The heater core sprung a leak and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This review is late in coming because the truck was totaled in a wreck in the mid 2000s. I bought it new, and drove it as a work truck for many years and it was always reliable. I could count on one hand the number of times I had to repair something that wasn't routine maintenance. I was a shade tree mechanic at the time and found my little truck easy to work on. It didn't have a comfortable ride, but I knew that when I bought it. I overloaded it many times and it still gave me reliable service. It was a great truck. Sadly, it was totaled when it was rear-ended. The person who hit it bent the frame up right behind the cab.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th August, 2023

1994 Isuzu Pickup 2.4 from North America

Summary:

Reliable and easy on the wallet

Faults:

Replaced radiator at 139000. Tires replaced with walmart tires and did a valve adjustment at 140000. runs great!

General Comments:

I love this truck. The ride is jarring, but it starts everytime. Did a tune up 2000 miles ago and no problems since. its awesome and cheap to operate. I hope to get 250000 miles out of her.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th January, 2008

29th Oct 2008, 14:13

Update: Now have 159,00. Had an oil leak but fixed it, keep tires rotated and regular maintenance and adjust valves once a year. Goal is to get 250,000 from this little guy. Rides rough but always has. Wonder if shocks would help?

1994 Isuzu Pickup plain jane 2.3 carb from North America

Summary:

Who'd a thuck it

Faults:

I have not had the truck long, but I got it from a friend who has driven it daily for the past two years without a single major repair. tires and brakes excluded.

General Comments:

This thing rides like a steel bathtub, but hey it's a truck.

It starts every time I put the key in and runs great a/c blows ice cold and gets near 20 mpg even with 262,000 miles on it.

It tows a 16ft aluminum bass boat to the lake on a regular basis and is used daily for work in the building maintenance field.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 8th August, 2007

1994 Isuzu Pickup 2.3 from North America

Summary:

It's good for around town

Faults:

This truck leaks oil.

General Comments:

This truck had low mileage on it when I bought it.

It leaks oil up front.

I like this truck because it is not my only vehicle. I use it for commuting to work. It makes me thankful for my 2001 Chevrolet Silverado.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 18th November, 2003

29th Oct 2008, 14:17

Fix that leak, probably the pan. It is cheap and easy fix. That truck will run forever. Just drive it nice and slow.

1994 Isuzu Pickup 2.3 Carbuerated from North America

Summary:

A budget truck that is unremarkable

Faults:

At 71,000 miles the head gasket blew. When I got the report from the shop, they said it had leaked water over a period of time and when it finally overheated, the temperature gauge did not register hot because the it had lost so much coolant the temperature sensor was not immersed in coolant any longer. This is why I did not know it was running hot that day. The mechanic said the gasket failed between the water jacket and the cylinder so I never saw any coolant on the ground at any time prior to the blowup. I had the head welded at a shop where they only work on aluminum heads and no problems since then.

The battery has been replaced twice.

The starter was replaced at 120,000 miles.

The Exhaust Gas Recirculator valve went bad at about 80,000 miles causing it to die at idle since it was stuck open.

The shocks have been replaced.

General Comments:

The thing that disappoints me most besides the head gasket is the low quality of the ride of the truck. It literally beats you to death.

However, it is reliable and cheap to operate.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2003

8th Jul 2010, 08:27

I have 1994 Isuzu Pup, which I bought almost new (4000 miles on it at purchase). I decided to buy the Isuzu after doing some work at a plant where I noticed they had just purchased their SECOND fleet of such trucks. According to the manager there "You can't kill 'em." I don't think you can buy a better truck for the money. I now have over 220,000 miles on the truck and I just changed the timing belt, front and rear brake pads/shoes for the first time! I had one rear wheel bearing leaking a little, so I replaced all the wheel bearings at the same time, also replaced the brake rotors due to a wobble when braking hard.

Aside from that, I've replaced the alternator, O2 sensor, main seals, several lights, driver side door latch and had some carburetor work. Still has original clutch, although it is making a strange noise that I think is the clutch.

Not bad at all for truck that cost me only $6800, like new, and was my daily driver for 12 years. If Isuzu was still making them, I'd buy another.