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1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

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1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:54 pm

Description:
New here and in the 24 hours of owning my truck I have already found so much useful info on these forums - enough to the point of fixing 2 of the 3 issues it has for a grand cost of nothing :D

My names Hayden, 24 years old and I live in Queenstown working as a local scenic pilot. This is my first truck and I'm loving it! Drove it up from Invercargill yesterday where I got it from (just over 2 hour drive), and already had it on its first offroad mission with 2 friends trucks (the 2 Hilux's in the pics). Loads of great trails around Queenstown so lots of fun to be had this summer. This is my second vehicle so won't be my daily driver, main reason for purchase was for some fun and also going up the ski fields to save the massive amount of stone chips my other car already collected this winter just been :(

Its pretty stock at the moment, and will stay that way for a while other than snorkel which I have ordered from Mudstuck. That doesn't stop me from starting to compile a wish list though ;)

Modifications and Accessories:

Suspension: 2" lift
Body Lift: Factory
Tyres/Wheels: Factory wheels with 265/75r16 Achilles XMT tyres
Traction Aids: Superwinch manual hubs
Bullbar: Factory with plastic cover removed
Spot lights and Lighting: Aftermarket front spotlights
Communications/GPS: Hand held 2 way radios
Dual Batteries: Single only
Engine: Factory with Airflow snorkel
Exhaust: Rear muffler removed
Sound system: Not really worth talking about
External: Factory
Internal: Factory (but very well specced being an Irmscher)
Other: Recovery hooks front and rear

Pictures

See posts below
Last edited by jafaandproud on Tue Jul 14, 2015 5:52 pm, edited 3 times in total.
jafaandproud
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Vehicle: 1994 Isuzu Bighorn Irmscher 3.1TD Automatic

Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:03 pm

Some new pics here. I have put on an Airflow snorkel, and removed the plastic trim off the bullbars. Also got a few bins in the back filled with the essentials; snatch strap, tow rope, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, gumboots, spade, etc, etc.

Next stop will be to upgrade to some bright LED spotlights (these ones are a bit useless), front bash plate (protect sump and front diff), replace a leaky seal on my rear diff which is letting water in (first on the list actually), fit my second tow hook for the front, get some custom tow points made for the back.

Image

Image

Image
jafaandproud
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby geeves » Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:47 pm

nice pics. Which seal is leaking in the diff?
Pinion seal is much easier if you have access to a hoist.
Sanding your knuckles before starting work can help. That way you cant skin them
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Tue Mar 04, 2014 7:49 pm

Thanks

From what I can tell, it is the pinion seal. I'll probably just give it a crack in my driveway, doesn't seem like it will be too hard (famous last words)

Unfortunatly I have some problems with my other vehicle as well so now I have to work out which one gets priority to be fixed, tough call...
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby geeves » Wed Mar 05, 2014 1:54 pm

I did a pinion seal in my bighorn a few years ago Its not hard but do ensure there are no children in earshot. Lying under a car trying to tap a seal in while holding it perfectly square may cause the emission of words not normally used. Took me 2 hours to get that seal started but you might be lucky and get it first time.
The book says to replace the crush washer under the pinion nut at the same time This is the preload on the pinion so setting it wrong can destroy the diff. If you count the turns on the nut as you take it off you can reuse the existing washer by putting on the exact same no turns rather than by the torque. Lots of others will now come up with many good reasons to not do it that way but it worked for me
Sanding your knuckles before starting work can help. That way you cant skin them
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Fri Mar 07, 2014 2:56 pm

I have been meaning to do it for the last 2 weeks now and keep procrastinating so have booked it in to get done next week - I generally find if I procrastinate work for more than a few weeks then I'll never do it haha
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Fri Jun 06, 2014 1:31 pm

A couple of pics from our most recent trip. Into the Nevis from the Bungy road, along The Horn Range, down to the hut on the Doolans Creek Left Branch, and up Coal Pit Saddle.

Amazing trip with such varied conditions from loose rock, mud, sodden grass, ruts, ice, snow, rivers... Best trip I have done yet

Here's some pics along the way:

Crossing the Nevis:
Image

Crossing the Nevis:
Image

A very frozen "puddle" up on the Horn Range:
Image

A splash through some mud by the hut:
Image

Crossing Doolans Creek by the hut, the exact moment my front number plate got ripped off:
Image
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby geeves » Fri Jun 06, 2014 6:38 pm

use the upload image button at the bottom of the post
Sanding your knuckles before starting work can help. That way you cant skin them
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Tue Jul 14, 2015 5:48 pm

A bit has changed since this post.

I now have:

- Rated tow hooks front and rear (2 at each end)
- Superwinch manual hubs
- 2" suspension lift
- 265/75/16 mud tyres
- New front spot lights

Bit of snow fall a few months ago
Image

Lift + new tyres
Image

New tyres
Image

Local club trip up to Macetown
Image

Club trip up the Godley Valley at head of Lake Tekapo
Image

Near the head of the Godley Valley
Image

Looking back down the Godley Valley
Image

Towing out a stuck 80 series between Poolburn and Serpentine
Image

Crossing a slip on the way to Macetown
Image
jafaandproud
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby geeves » Tue Jul 14, 2015 7:47 pm

Your getting out and about?
Sanding your knuckles before starting work can help. That way you cant skin them
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:16 pm

Yep it's been a busy last couple of months with trips most weekends
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Tue Jul 14, 2015 8:54 pm

Oh and can't forget this one, taken by Beulink Photography while we were out hunting for the Aurora Australis

Image
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby Downhillnz » Thu Jul 16, 2015 3:53 pm

^^ That is an amazing photo.

Those top photos look like an amazing place to go.
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby Tekanawa » Wed Sep 16, 2015 4:39 pm

Hey awsome photos !
I also live in NZ and I'm looking at buying a bighorn as well, hopefully this weekend. I live in the north but I am planning to study down south. Are you finding your bighorn good off-road ? Also do you have any places you could recommend going down south for road trips !
If I do end up coming down south next yr, would be cool to see your mods and take advice and apply them to my truck :D would save me some hassles haha ;)
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Wed Sep 16, 2015 8:24 pm

There is a huge abundance of tracks around Otago and Southland, I have only done a small number of them. I will say the majority of them involve multiple river crossings so a snorkel should be high up on the priorities.

I find mine great off-road. It's main downfall was ground clearance which has been solved with a simple suspension lift, and that gave me room for bigger tyres as well. It's only downfall now is that it doesn't have an LSD.

Best thing I can suggest is these forums and some others that specialise in Isuzu. There's so much information online for them. Also join up with a local 4wd club and start easing yourself in to some of their easier trips. I personally never go out off-roading on my own, so I always have someone to tow me out if I get too brave haha, and a club environment is great for that kind of thing.

Hit me up if you are ever down my ways, I'm always keen to get out and hit some tracks and trails
jafaandproud
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Vehicle: 1994 Isuzu Bighorn Irmscher 3.1TD Automatic

Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby Tekanawa » Thu Sep 24, 2015 10:24 am

Okay thanks I will make sure I have a snorkel, I do have a list already :D but it's more or less prioritising them...
Would you recommend the suspension lift? I've been looking at a body lift, but I'll do more research and find out.
Yes ashame they don't have an Lsd or lockers 8-) wishful thinking..
Well I do have an Isuzu bighorn now, 1993 not much diffrent with from yours expect it's black and is the imerscher model..
But I will hopefully next yr be down that way so I will. Be great to find other 4x4 enthusiast !
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby mattmannz » Fri Sep 25, 2015 4:16 am

How did you find the mudstuck snorkel?
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Re: 1994 Bighorn 3.1td automatic

Postby jafaandproud » Fri Sep 25, 2015 6:19 am

Didn't fit for some reason, returned it and got an Airflow one from my local 4x4 shop
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