1989 Isuzu Pickup 4x4 review from North America

CV boots on front transaxle rotted.

A/C pressure switch blew apart.

Very rough/low idle when cold-started.

Brake caliper seized crooked, scored brake disc.

I didn't have this truck very long because of my 6'4" height and back problems; I don't think they intended anyone above 5'8" to drive one of these, and the bench seat wasn't very ergonomic, either. After a two hour trip it was unbearable.

However, everything else about this little truck was exactly what I wanted, and it never let me down. It was sharp looking and unlike the GM's and Fords of the era, the paint didn't bake off in the sun. It did have a jarring ride quality, but if you popped it in 4-wheel and went off-road it would tear through mostly anything the 16" tires could handle. I even put it to work one summer pulling out modestly sized tree stumps.

The 2.6 4 cylinder was actually kinda torquey and wasn't that bad on gas, although it seemed like I was always filling it because it only held 12 gallons. It would accelerate decently if you wound it up hard, but the 5 speed tranny didn't like to be shifted fast, and I think the clutch was getting worn out by that point anyway.

I eventually ended up selling it in favor of a newer Hombre (aka Chevy S10) because it needed new front CV's and axles, a new clutch, and a few other nickel/dime items that would have required an investment exceeding the resale value of the truck.

I had bought it for $1,500, I sold it for $1,500 with only $500 invested in upkeep over 2 years, minus fuel and oil changes. Can't complain!