Need Toad advice

[JohnEd]

For years now I have pondered my ideal Toad.  It is a Isuzu type medium truck in 4X4 with the cab-over a smallish D engine. 16 or 18 foot box.   I am sure I have seen these things in 4X4 and i have talked to a couple 4X4 enthusiast friends and they say they have seen them somewhere.  One suggested it might be a model from the Australian market.  Things like the Unimog keep slipping in.

Does anyone have any info on these trucks?  Out of production?  Manufacturer?  Good/bad?

Thanks,



John

[HB of CJ]

GMC sells Isuzus with a GMC nametag.  Also UD, Misubuchi (sp) Fuso, and others make fine models.  4X4 optional if memory serves.  UD makes a particularily fine light/medium GVW 500,000 mile service life truck line.

We once did some serious bidding for many USPS contract mail routes and the UD product appeared to be the best truck for the application.  Very well made.  Hope this helps.  HB of CJ (old coot)

[TomC]

We sell both Fuso (Mitsubishi) and Isuzu. They maybe built well, and I believe they do have an all wheel drive option-but-if you're out in who knows where-how will you get servicing on them (even with Isuzus being sold through GMC).  I believe you'd be much happier with an American made 3/4 or 1 ton pickup with all wheel drive.  You could buy a cab and chassis and still have a 16ft box with cab over (since it isn't a cabover that has to tilt) storage.  Then with the likes of either a Chevrolet, Dodge or Ford, you'll be sure to be within a few miles of the nearest repair shop.  Personally-I would choose Ford with their excellent new 6.7 liter V-8 Diesel that puts out 400hp and 800lb/ft torque-enough to be able to TOW the bus if it breaks down (think about that!).  I have a friend with a F250 crew cab all wheel drive that he pulls his fiver with and weighs in at 23,000lbs.  He gets 10mpg towing at 75mph (don't believe an '04 or '06 could get that).  Good Luck, TomC

[JohnEd]

Thanks Guys,

I spent an hour hunting and poking around and missed UD completely and Fuso 4X4 didn't show up in the model line where I was looking.

I am a far piece from knowing anything substantial about the current crop of Detroit iron.  What I have read and people I have talked to indicate that they are getting their act together.  That is good to see.  400 HP would indicate to me that they still understand the American psyche.  500,000 mile service life is a whole other mind-set.

Armed with this new info I am finding that the UD and FUSO hold their value really well and there seems to be few for sale.....anywhere.  They are well represented up here so I guess they are hanging on to them.

Again,  thanks,


John