10k: 1984 Isuzu P’up DLX 5spd Survivor
We recently had our eyes on an 84 Isuzu Pickup Diesel ‘survivor’ car, but the buy-it-now was insanely high and the auction was ended early (probably sold off ebay). But no one really wants a glacially slow oil burner from the 80s – so we found this 1983 Isuzu Pickup with manual trans and gasoline engine, in Omaha, NE currently bidding for $5k on ebay reserve-not-met.
In a pleasant departure from recent advertisements, this ebay ad is cohesive, well written and has excellent photographs, taken during the day! The Isuzu P’up (short for pickup) was in fact the second generation Isuzu “Faster” – we aren’t sure what it was Faster than- perhaps a diesel rabbit, a forklift or a 3 legged mule. This particular example has only 18k miles on its odometer and looks mighty minty.
This Pup is powered by a 1.8 liter (the 1.9 reference in ad must be a typo) G180Z inline 4 gasoline engine that puts out 80 puppower and is mated to a 4 speed manual transmission. All of the pups are put to the pavement via a driver selectable 4 wheel drive transfer case. Simple, basic and efficient.
Inside this pup looks like a decent place to be – the seats are still in great shape, the dash looks uncracked and we’d love to get a peak under the 80s vintage tennis-grip-style steering-wheel-wrap. The new owner will need to spend some time debugging the non-functioning a/c, but in the mean time can stay cool by rolling the windows down with hand cranks (no power windows to break on this pup!).
Overall this P’up looks to be a good deal if the reserve isn’t too high. It won’t be a rocket ship – but it can be used to haul junk, maybe some light towing and certainly be capable in light snow. The only downside to having a truck in this nice of a condition is that you wouldn’t want to haul junk, tow junk or hoon around in snow…its just too clean.
Regardless, the manual trans, all wheel drive and excellent condition will make any new owner proud and happy to drive it around.
See another pup for sale? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
I like it. Quite a bit, actually.
Many years ago, I had the Chevy Luv version of this truck. Except mine was black, with oversize tires on those same white mag-look steel wheels, huge multi-color stripes and 4×4 graphics everywhere, and a fiberglass black cap to match the faded paint. It was pretty beat up, but it just kept going.
Things to know: It's not very big inside. If you have legs, you *will* whack your right knee on the parking brake handle. Repeatedly. Even now, my knee hurts just thinking about it.
It may not be quick, but it's a very capable little truck. There isn't much to break, so it's pretty reliable. However, if you bring it anywhere near the Northeast, it will spontaneously start to rust. That is why these trucks no longer exist here.
The A/C doesn't "just need to be recharged." At best, there's a leak somewhere. More likely on a 28-year-old Isuzu, a significant and likely expensive or NLA component needs to be replaced. *Then* it needs to be recharged.
Until then, continue to enjoy those vinyl seats until cooler winter days arrive. And no, those small roll-down windows aren't going to help much. Been there, done that.
I bought the insanely high priced survivor pup off ebay and was pleasantly surprised to find it even better than described a purchase i will never regret —-Greg S.
Greg S. – excellent, please send us a few photos along with a description of the buying process. Did you get it shipped or pickup in person? mail@dailyturismo.com
It was shipped to me by the seller and I will go through some of my pictures and send them the buying process was excellent the folks at Texas Exclusive were awesome (Eric & Megan Wells)
theres many photos of my truck that I have posted on isuzupup.com its a site for pup owners
Overall this P'up looks to be a good deal if the reserve isn't too high.