Beater...with a heate...1994 Isuzu Rodeo
 

Life's curve balls have me again....

My committed daily driver is now a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo, 4 door 3.2 DOHC v6, 4x4 5 speed manual.

Initial investment 400.00
Upgrades: Tires, 300.00
Plugs, Fuel Filter, shocks x4, sway bar end lengths front, serpentine belts 100.00
Dynomax straight through glass pack 30.00
Synthetic fluid for transmission and transfer case 20.00

As she sits, $850.00, running, driving, functional.

First MPG check was 14.5 mpg.
With Tune up, tires, fluids, as of this morning 17.8

My goal considering daily commute is 65% of the time at 45-65 highway speeds, 35% at 15-25 mph stop and go is 23 combined.

As purchased....
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps014a83ca.jpg

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps093288a0.jpg

I ditched the spare tire rack. Right now, I have rim, but no tire, and the assembly rattled like crazy. Spare can stay in cargo area.

As it sits now:

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa34a732c.jpg

The fender trim is going away. I am undecided on the roof rack, but really don't plan on needing it so it may go to help streamline things....

I like these early-90s Isuzus. Anyway, since it's a '94, have you never considered a Diesel swap?

Life says this one needs to be a "start and run" consistently vehicle. I am struggling to find time for little projects, so a diesel swap is far to committed and involved for the time being. I am anxious to do some little things to clean up the aero, and some underhood modifications, such as ditching the belt driven fan, air box modifications, etc. I did gut and pressure wash the carpet, seats, and such a couple weeks ago. As dirty as it was, I figured I dropped a few pounds of weight... :)

An electric fan is better, and can be had for cheap. One of the most popular setups is out of the Ford Taurus, and other popular options come from the soccer-mom vans with dual-zone air conditioneer due to their dual-fan setup.

Pull the crossbars from the roof rack even if you decide to keep the rack. You can put them back in a few minutes if needed, and they're out of the way the rest of the time.

Add discs to the wheels. The crossbar removal is free; I got discs for my wheels for about $80 for four.