staticfly's ride

[staticfly]

Hey, my name is Evan. Bought this Mu about five months ago. Owned many 4wd's, and decided this was the best for a balance between comfort and off-road performance. Ended up finding the economy and reliability are two more positive factors with this vehicle. I fish and hunt, so don't need ultimate off-road performance. I prefer off-roading with a productive goal at the end of the track, rather than busting nuts and destroying my truck just to have a picnic beside a mud hole (not that this isn't fun, if that's your thing):).

DESCRIPTION
* 93 Isuzu Mu
* 4jb1-T
* Standard 15" Rims with 265 all terrain tires
* Auto - Serviced regularly, and gives no trouble at all (if these ain't doing strange things, don't touch em, just replace fluid)
* Spare power cell - 20 Watts solar charge capability, charger when driving, two 500 Watt inverters (all this mainly for replenishing spot light batteries, pumping water, operating power tools, and saving long walks)
* Pretty decent remote control stereo system, bearing in mind that I still possess an 8-track in my storage unit.
* The interior is mint, and rivaled by none of this year that I have seen.
HAVE DONE'S
* Replaced high pressure power steering line to box, due to fluid leaking out wall of hose (crappy job, and hard to find someone to do ends on hose after major earthquake)$200
* Replaced both front wheel bearings (might have got away with a tighten, but I don't play that game any more. Exceptionally easy bearings to do)$200
* Reconditioned Manual locking hubs (some donger had assembled them wrong, and one was missing a return spring lol)$0, mate at a wrecking yard. Handy hint - NOT TOO MUCH GREASE.
* Still fixing rattles and squeaks inherent to a diesel of this age, due to the aggressive idling nature of compression combustion motors.
* Changed oil and filter after every 4,000km. This motor will let ya know when the time is right, if you listen.
* GPS, just for safety coordinates.
* I chopped out old muffler and welded in a high flow turbo muffler and resonator (the exhaust flow is ultimately limited by the diameter of the turbo, so replacing all of the pipe with larger stuff is just a waste of money, unless it has holes) I did spend money on a nice chrome exhaust tip.

WANT TO DO'S
* Snorkel
* Adjustable shocks
* Spare wheels fitted with aggressive off-road tyres
* Winch, due to 98% of my trips being solo
* Better bull-bars, instead of the girly chrome things made of thin walled tube
* Mount a shovel and high-lift jack on back
* Do timing belt in next 20,000km
* Curtains for back
* Thinking about removing back seats, as I'm anti-family guy, and do some sort of Combo-Bed-Storage thingy.
* Removable tow-ball tow bar
* One of those smelly strawberry things to hang somewhere. I believe these show a high level of contentment with one's vehicle.
* A rubber flare kit, so I don't get mud on my shiny chrome side steps.

Photo0414.jpg

[turnturn]

Welcome. Tidy looking Mu.
Three things -
1) If you remove the back seat also remove the rear seatbelts as they can get a bit funny at WOF time.
2) Yep, remove the chrome bars at the front.
3) Strawberry? Although strawberry rated well I believe that recent clinical trials have shown that "Sea-breeze" to be the highest ranking indicator of vehicular contentment lol.

[staticfly]

Hey, thanks for the heads up on the belts; although I've had this unfortunate WOF experience on a Lada years ago, and you're definitely right.
I shall squeeze the 'smell me' button on the Sea-breeze next time I'm in the warehouse, and let ya know my what I think.
LOL

[jellis]

far out thats clean.
mine started like that.
i wish it still did look like that
nice truck

[staticfly]

Hey, thanks man. I'm kinda fanatical about keeping my trucks tidy; although in summer they take on a natural downgrade in cleanliness. It's been my dream truck for awhile too, and finally found an old 2.8 with rrreeeeaaallyyy low km's; gotta love earthquake damage/insurance sometimes i guess.
Hey, when I get the dolleros together, I might fire a few questions your way regarding the suspension and body lift stuff ie. brands, cost and maybe some methods if ya don't mind. I am quickly learning about the MU mechanically too, so don't hesitate to ask stuff if ya need to. Pretty cool sight.

[Captcol]

Lots of info around here for modifications to these trucks and lots of guys in your area too. Your truck is much cleaner than mine, but then mine doesn't get off road enough so any dirt is hard earned and stays around for abit.

[geeves]

Looks nice
Defiantly do the tow points even before the winch. Without them a passer by cant even pull you out.
I doubt a strawberry freshener would help in my wagon If it would work I would chose leather over any flower smell but thats me. I also had a bad experience with tinted windows so would pass on them as well. I would much rather be able to see on a dark night.

[staticfly]

Hi geeves.
You made me think back to the time I backed into a cement water tank, cleaning out a window and causing quite extensive damage to a terrano, so you've prompted me to do the curtain thing. Need something, as I can live in it for weeks at a stretch.
I have installed four tow points today too, and have tucked my six ton strop deep in the jack compartment, with an optimistic view on getting stuck.
The sea-breeze isn't bad either, but will trial the strawberry first. By the way, what should one expect when sniffing 'New Car Scent'? Never been fortunate enough to smell the real thing.
No need to answer that, as I fully expect to have some far curlier questions for ya in the future.
Cheers

[geeves]

I think new car smells of solvent and still drying fabric dye and setting paint. Only ever driven a new car once
6 ton strop? most snatch straps are 8 ton and at least 20% stretch. Its this stretch that does the work and the reason why when things go wrong the really do. To use a lifting strop will just break things. As it is Ive broken 2 8 ton snatch straps.
Can we have some pics of the tow hooks. A lot of people seem to have trouble doing decent hooks on the front of a Mu.

[shitkikr]

I've had a black '94 MU for 3 years and, so far, it has put up with incredible amounts of torture. I can only wish it looked as god as yours does...

[shitkikr]

... as GOOD as yours does.

[staticfly]

Hey, thanks people for the nice comments on my MU; I've wanted this truck for a long time. It isn't without its problems, as the last owner had it for 8 years, and didn't know too much about maintaining stuff. So far, it has given me a pretty painless/inexpensive learning curve though.

[staticfly]

Hey Geeves
The ones I have installed are just the standard off the shelf kind, in the normal mount position underneath. Not really desirable, but had to sell my welder to go up north to university about six months ago. In looking on this forum, Haven's Mu (Termunator) seems to have the front hook set-up I'm after. I need to have a better look at things. Stuff won't happen fast for awhile....$$$.
I will consult with ya when the time comes though.
In the meantime I will work on getting a proper snatch rope. Not keen on standing in the high country with a tow hook imbedded in my head and a bent chassis.
The ARB front bumper bar looks good, are they the one to get?

[geeves]

Factory bolts in the tow hooks are 10mm Most after market ones are 12mm. Ive bent the 12 mm bolts in one of my hooks. The bolts in all 4 hooks were replaced that week. 12mm have roughly twice the strength of 10mm. Welding hooks on is a real nono but welding up brackets to mount them is fine although I would only be welding bracing and not the main strength member. Google "4wd recovery hook mounting" for a few good ideas.
ARB and TJM dont rate there bars for recovery hooks but I believe this is to prevent liability. Make sure you mount it at least as strong as the hook mounts to it

[stardog]

My 94 MU looked as clean as that once upon a time but not any more must wash it someday and give the carpets a clean to.

[4x4SWANNY]

When i met my wife she had a mu straighter than that. but it cost her over 20k lol
We traded it in for 10k which even now seems heaps...
So how much did ya pick it up for Static i missed that...

[staticfly]

I picked it up for $3000. It's not perfect mechanically (just odd bits and pieces that haven't been replaced), but nothing motor wise and nothing that compromises reliability. Two new wheel bearings, new high pressure end of power steering, and a slogged shackle bush that will be replaced when I extend the shackles. My parents have owned Mu's and Bighorns for some years now, and I love the Mu. It is a really nice all-rounder. I've got a suzuki for the rough stuff, so hopefully it will stay looking alright.
I am very impressed with the 2.8 diesel motor too. I'll just slowly add stuff to it, and ditch the suzuki I'm thinking.