Isuzu question
Tennesseean,
Everything Dieseltrooper said (did you pick up that Trooper on the used car lot, Dieseltrooper?). Like he said, you'll only find the TD Trooper in '86 models. Diesel pickups are much more common and span many model years. Isuzu made a few different diesel engines. Both of ours have the c223 inline 4, which is known for its longevity/reliability and a friend gave us a spare engine.
My wife's '86 Turbodiesel Trooper gets close to 40 mpg, if driven carefully for maximum mileage. My '83 P'up (pickup) will get just a hair under 50mpg. Though both vehicles use the same basic engine, the TD Trooper has a turbocharger and is considerably heavier than the P'up. The Trooper also uses full size 15" truck tires, whereas my little pickup uses 14" tires.
The pickup's driver's seat sit much lower to the ground that the Trooper's and hence, makes it feel like the little truck goes much faster. Almost like a go cart!
As far as mechanicals go, do all of the usual stuff: Listen carefully for bad engine noises (but remember, it's a diesel ... it will be much noisier than a gas engine!). There shouldn't be any knocking under accelleration. It shouldn't produce excessive smoke at normal throttle positions, but will produce black smoke if you give it excessive throttle at any speed. If you see a little excessive bluish smoke at a cold startup, that's ok. It indicates valves or guides are getting a little worn, but should go away quickly. The motor should still last a long, long time. A lot of smoke which doesn't go away could be a tired engine. Another thing which can cause excessive startup and driving smoke is trouble in the injector pump or injectors. Sometimes this can be cleared up with fuel additives.
CHANGE THE TIMING BELT!!!!!!! This is IMPORTANT, and yes, I'm screaming! They should be changed every 60,000 miles. If the belt lets go, you will ruin your engine. The c223 is an overhead valve engine - not an overhead cam - and a lot of folks think it doesn't have a belt. Wrong! It does have a belt and just like its overhead cam cousins, if it lets go, the pistons will hit the valves and lunch the motor.
Another thing to look for is rust. Isuzus have a reputation for rusting out. For some reason, this seems to affect the old pickups much more severely than Troopers. I make it a point to squirt the undercarriage with oil whenever I work on it. I squirt everything, frame, body, running gear! It makes a short-term mess, but does keep the rust down!
If you have the room, I'd also advise you to look for broken parts vehicles if you can drag them away cheap enough!
IMHO, getting your diesel vehicle is only the first half of the fuel shortage preparedness equation. The other is fuel storage. Start making those preps now. Find some good, solid 55 gallon steel drums and smaller plastic barrels. Build a small fuel shed. This will help keep your fuel supply from prying eyes and also help stabilize temperatures which is good for storage. If you are going to keep substantial amounts, build an small earthen berm around it to prevent spills from spreading. This isn't eco-nut or "green" advice; it's common sense. Diesel is much safer than gas, but it will burn fiercely if ignited. You don't want a spreading diesel fire to consume your house! I've already got my pumps and barrels, but am still looking for other storage options. Maybe a big old, condemned propane storage tank would work. I haven't had any luck finding a midsized metal fuel storage tank (cheaply) yet.
Lastly, sock away spare oil, air and fuel filters. Get an extra timing belt or two. Store extra Rotella diesel lubrication oil and fuel additives/stabilizers.
Best regards
Doc
