Good morning from the USA!
I am purchasing a 1991 Japanese 2.8 turbo diesel MU, and I have a few questions. (Yes, I've searched the forums for this information, but I've been unsuccessful.)
Here are a few picutures of the truck:
https://cdn.motorlot.com/media/W1siZiIs ... 68752.jpeg
https://cdn.motorlot.com/media/W1siZiIs ... 68725.jpeg
In order to determine the gears I currently have, I'm assuming I need to open the differentials. Here are pictures of them:
https://cdn.motorlot.com/media/W1siZiIs ... 68610.jpeg
https://cdn.motorlot.com/media/W1siZiIs ... 68604.jpeg
First, I read the head gaskets often blow on the gas engines and that OEM replacements are highly recommended since the aftermarket ones don't last long. Where can I find OEM differential gasket seals?
Also, what is the top speed of a stock 2.8 turbo diesel?
Where can I order a gear to calibrate the speedometer?
I may need to regear the vehicle. It has 285/75 R16 tires installed. I also heard Japanese vehicles are geared for Japanese roads, where the max speed limit is 60 mph or so. With a 2.8 turbo diesel engine, a Japanese drivetrain, 32.8 inch tires, and 80 mph speed limits in my state, I'm sure I need to change my gearing. Does anyone have any suggestions on gear ratios? Once I determine the ratio needed, where can I purchase the gears?
Speaking of the rear differential, my father purchased at least one locker for his first gen trooper. (I'm 80% sure his Trooper was a 1989 model; it was definitely after 1987.) I can't remember if he bought a front locker and/or a rear locker. (I think these are the pneumatic ARB units.) Unfortunately, he passed away, so I can no longer ask him. Thankfully, I think the parts are still in storage. Will the front and rear lockers from a Trooper work in a MU?
Since the vehicle has oversized tires, it has a "mushy" feel when driving. The steering isn't super-responsive and the vehicle doesn't feel the most stable at highway speeds. Are there any stabilization kits that can be purchased to mitigate these symptoms?
Furthermore, I'd like to purchase a front winch bumper, a rear bumper, and rock sliders. Does anyone else produce such items besides Calmini? (Recent reviews of Calmini have caused me to question whether or not I should do business with them.)
Thanks!
Bill
New MU! Odometer,speedometer,gears,locker, etc questions
Re: New MU! Odometer,speedometer,gears,locker, etc questions
Hi
Looks clean and tidy. Im guessing this is already in USA.
Forget about head gaskets you have to do something pretty bad to blow a head gasket on the 4jb1 engine but gasket sets are available on aliexpress.
Gear ratios are 4.3 or 4.56 You can tell by lifting one wheel and turning it while counting the driveshaft rotations. The answer is half the number
If the locker is for a 89 trooper And this had either a 2.6 petrol or any diesel engine it will fit. If it had a v6 then it probably wont. 89 was series 2 and for USA came with 2.3 or 2.6 isuzu sourced 4 cylinder petrol or a few rare isuzu diesels. These had isuzu diffs. Otherwise it came with a chevy v6 which also ran dana diffs so no good.
Body panels and chassis parts look for the same year Amigo. Most Amigos had the chevy drivetrain but the chassis and body is the same
Looks clean and tidy. Im guessing this is already in USA.
Forget about head gaskets you have to do something pretty bad to blow a head gasket on the 4jb1 engine but gasket sets are available on aliexpress.
Gear ratios are 4.3 or 4.56 You can tell by lifting one wheel and turning it while counting the driveshaft rotations. The answer is half the number
If the locker is for a 89 trooper And this had either a 2.6 petrol or any diesel engine it will fit. If it had a v6 then it probably wont. 89 was series 2 and for USA came with 2.3 or 2.6 isuzu sourced 4 cylinder petrol or a few rare isuzu diesels. These had isuzu diffs. Otherwise it came with a chevy v6 which also ran dana diffs so no good.
Body panels and chassis parts look for the same year Amigo. Most Amigos had the chevy drivetrain but the chassis and body is the same
Re: New MU! Odometer,speedometer,gears,locker, etc questions
Most of your questions crack me up- you wont be worried about the gitterey speedo once you notice all the other Mu traits!
Most rev needles work intermittantly or not at all, speedo will be all over the show but you get use to it. Speedo runs off a cable screwed into the side of the gearbox. Rev guage is an electric signal.
Gear wise; 5th gear is designed for 90km/h according to the gear ratio printed on the sun visor of my Mu.
When you throw 33” tyres on your Mu the speedo will be inaccurate by a bit. Buy a gps speedo if it bothers you - $100 NZD or less.
On a private road, a VERY long road, Ive had my Mu up to 160km/h - it didnt run out of power but it was redline 5th gear.
You can set this up to be good and squishy offroad and handle like a boat onroad or rock solid onroad and shit offroad. Somewhere inbetween will result in a pretty average all round Mu.
Most rev needles work intermittantly or not at all, speedo will be all over the show but you get use to it. Speedo runs off a cable screwed into the side of the gearbox. Rev guage is an electric signal.
Gear wise; 5th gear is designed for 90km/h according to the gear ratio printed on the sun visor of my Mu.
When you throw 33” tyres on your Mu the speedo will be inaccurate by a bit. Buy a gps speedo if it bothers you - $100 NZD or less.
On a private road, a VERY long road, Ive had my Mu up to 160km/h - it didnt run out of power but it was redline 5th gear.
You can set this up to be good and squishy offroad and handle like a boat onroad or rock solid onroad and shit offroad. Somewhere inbetween will result in a pretty average all round Mu.
Re: New MU! Odometer,speedometer,gears,locker, etc questions
Sam your Mu needs tuning. Same engine in my old Bighorn saw 160kph on the Tawa motorway. Not recommended though. At that speed it was using both lanes.
Re: New MU! Odometer,speedometer,gears,locker, etc questions
Alan, its an old Mu thats doing what offroad Mu’s do. Lots of Mu’s have speedo issues. Not sire about bighorns so I wont comment on something Ive never owned.