Budget Overland Build Ep4:, 1 Step Forward 2 Steps Back. ROAM Overlanding

Our last visit to Paul's workshop to see the Isuzu, the engine was in pieces and he found some pretty dodgey stuff inside the engine; even though the whole engine itself is actually in pretty good condition, a new timing chain and seals and gaskets were on the top priority for the KB300. Now with all of that done and the motor cleaned up to a beautiful condition It was time to collect! Well Until the gearbox gave us issues next. A new thrust bearing was necessary, so when we returned from our trip could collect and take her home! Until we got a limp mode on the highway and ended up needed to flatbed the truck back to the workshop, due to a blockage in the oil feed line to the newly refurbished turbo.. Needless to say Andy was crushed; but a week later we would be able to get the Isuzu back on the road and head off on its first adventure!
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[@christophersaul]

Oh dear! Definitely a learning experience and a chance to create some good content! Not being very mechanically minded, I'm certianly learning something from these episodes.

[@RoamOverlanding]

Hahha us too Chris! The learnings are strong with this one… first lesson, have a mechanic friend check out the vehicle before you buy it, it’s cheaper to buy him lunch and a couple beers 😂

[@itsmeBISHNOI]

😂😂😂 really enjoying this build up…and smile on Andy’s face… IMB

[@martinlotter]

So excited for this build series! Love to see this Isuzu become a weapon of an overlading vehicle!💪

[@brodieoates8015]

Been hanging to see Andy's 4jj1.

[@secdetau]

Like every build 2 steps forward 1 back, then the wait for parts 2 weeks turn into 6. But when it comes together WOW 👌

[@RoamOverlanding]

😂 yup! Hopefully we can keep the momentum!

[@leenderdhoutzager9389]

Glad to see the progress, looks great

[@RoamOverlanding]

You and me both!

[@africaoverlandadventures]

Glad you guys can still laugh about it in the end..

[@mekerekatjiuongua]

I was waited for another video bout the isuzu!

[@Janneman361]

Good to see an update on this project. I'm really interested in what the cost is for all of this. Would you be sharing that in a video? What was your own pocket. what was sponsored etc.

[@RoamOverlanding]

Absolutely; we are going to try and be as transparent as possible; its obviously a unique situation where people are typically more likely to help out and be generous with their time. So its tough to put monetary value on it; but we will try our best to get all the correct figures so people have a realistic expectation of what everything costs; I think we will make a whole episode dedicated to the cost of buying and restoring the vehicle; and a separate one for upgrading it.

[@Dizzyish]

That would be a great insight for all, looking forward to those episodes.

[@kr-lp2nj]

Hopefully it wasnt too much of a money trap this bakkie. There is only one "older vehicle" i will recommend and that is a d4d engine. 2.5 or 3L,the 3L is the one you really want,2.5 is very slugish like a farm tractor. Great thing is that engine is in the fortuner also,if someone wants a suv rather than bakkie. Those engines are fantastic. Just get new injectors if its on 350k,clean the intake manifold and your good to go. Obviously wear and tear parts need servicinig like balljoints,bushings etc. Another engine that is bulletproof is the 3rz-fe. They came in hilux of the 90s and early raiders up until 2004 i believe,when the d4d took over in 2005.

[@francoisrossouw1656]

Aah shame man Andy at least after all you are still positive.

[@jamesmazurstudios]

I hope I'm wrong but my gut is saying, "sell it". Try and recoup the money you put in and buy a better pickup before you go all in on bolt-ons. This is advice merely from my own experience building 5 overland vehicles and having over 20 used cars over the last 30 years. It can be MUCH easier to start over that it is when working with such a blasted build platform.

[@stephanusdutoit111]

Agree

[@labourlawact7826]

I dunno if it's just me, and I don't want to sound negative, but being a diesel technician myself and having worked in a diesel bakkie vehicle repair facility before, I'm just very disappointed in this vehicle 😢 Truly an informative video on how NOT to buy a second hand vehicle. I personally bought an 8 year old car privately from older people in 2009, and this car still runs perfectly, although it's 22 years old. Good luck guys, you'll get her right. Eventually, after overspending mega $$$. 😊👍

[@jamesmazurstudios]

@@labourlawact7826 And a blocked oil return line with a new turbo??? Who doesn't inspect, clean or replace the oil lines when rebuilding a turbo? Attention to detail is everything on a rebuild so I am 100% convinced this engine is in for rough ride. Let's be very clear...a bottle of degreaser should not be the impressive part of an engine rebuild.

[@labourlawact7826]

@@jamesmazurstudios Exactly my thoughts. When they raved about how clean the engine looks, I thought ja, on the outside maybe... When we replaced turbo's, the turbo supplier refused any sort of guarantee or warranty if the turbo oil lines were not replaced with new ones ex original dealer equipment. Shame, these guys first got badly ripped off by the seller, and now this. By the time this thing breaks down in the middle of the bundus in Botswana, they would've spent as much as Anthony's Hilux (or more ) Who buys a second hand vehicle, and then has to rebuild the motor and gearbox? Shame, I actually feel sorry for them 😢

[@RoamOverlanding]

Don’t speak out of turn; youre making a lot of assumptions here. I enjoy seeing your feedback but the slew of insults towards me and the people working on the vehicle is unappreciated. It’s not your money we are spending and it’s not your time. The mechanical team working on the vehicle have gone above and beyond and sponsored lots of their time to help out. The turbo repair center it went to had somehow disappeared and closed over night, and weren’t there to take the turbo back for warranty. So the mechanic paid to have the turbo rebuilt, he has also given us huge discounts on the labour charges, meaning basically now after the turbo has made 0 profit on the vehicle. Yet he still greets us with a smile and tries to help where he can. So just have some respect for the process and the people involved. We have a vision and plan for the vehicle and we are still well within our budget. I don’t need you to love every decision we make or every episode, but I need you to be respectful of the people and the process, give your feedback sure, but imagine people slinging insults your way and you’ve been working your ass off on a project. But yes lesson learned, bring a mechanic with to buy a used vehicle.

[@ianabrahamson785]

You guys are very patient, was there any sort of warranty from the guys that sold you the vehicle. These thing you had done wasnt a cheap exercise

[@RoamOverlanding]

Unfortunately our dealings with the dealership we got the vehicle from havent been great. But it is what It is, we have also embraced the project and are committed to seeing it through

[@tsponge101]

Shame Adrian, the rabbit hole gets deeper. Did they do a compression test and check the injectors? Essential on older diesels. Pity about the oil line to the turbo.

[@RoamOverlanding]

I think with the injectors we just kind of have to wait and see if they give shit. For now its all running like a dream. What do do suspect is that the previous owner intentionally disconnected the speed sensor to stop the Kilo's from climbing on the vehicle; so the bakkie could have 500k km on it, instead of 280 we have no idea...

[@labourlawact7826]

Injectors can crack a piston, or burn a hole in it. If you're unlucky. On the other hand those injectors are super expensive. Pity you didn't get the older KB 300 with mechanical fuel injection. They're way cheaper to repair. Good luck with the project anyway, it's quite interesting. 😊👍

[@mekerekatjiuongua]

FIRST🔥🔥🔥

[@Fergus_Afrique]

I’ve been waiting for this update. So it’s not all good news but you’re both laughing your heads off which I find hilarious but it’s truly the only attitude for undertaking this vehicle build. For sure there won’t be many solo trips being done to remote places in the Isuzu for quite a while 😂😂 Keep laughing

[@RoamOverlanding]

When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade right? 😂

[@Gunships.]

is it this Isuzu in specific giving problems or are all Isuzus like this, i've looked at a 2015 Isuzu KB 300 D-Teq LX and watching these videos make me wonder if she will bring problems in the future.

[@RoamOverlanding]

Its this particular one and how it was maintained before buying it. Isuzu's are actually incredibly robust and reliable vehicles.

[@Gunships.]

@@RoamOverlanding apprecitate the quick and swift response, she is really such a beatiful car and with only 400k km on her, thanks for this, and excited to see how this build treats you, btw i showed my dad the hilux build and his like hooked on trying to make his Hilux a Overlander now.

[@RoamOverlanding]

Hahaha 😂 my advice if you want to buy a 4x4; take a mechanic friend or family member with you who can properly check the vehicle out.

[@SKIKR]

Hi Adrian, what am i missing here, this KB was mutilated beyond recognition whnlen it came to most of its internals,was all of this disclosed? It seems as if this was sold as a "Voetstoots", pre 90s to say the least! I am speculative that the spend might be close to the purchase price of your Hilux original price. Why are you guys not talking to the pitfalls of dealing with a dodgy dealership? Has it been over 6 months in terms of the CPA? I think your viewers need to know about this as many would have looked at this series and wanted to carry on a similar project. Feel for Andy, sorry chaps.

[@RoamOverlanding]

I see the concern but we are nowhere near the value of the vehicle yet; but we budgeted about 100k to fix and upgrade the vehicle. I think we will go slightly over budget. Paul helped out a huge amount on the fixing of the engine; so that’s at about 25k which really isn’t bad considering it’s got new seals gaskets, timing chain and turbo. Remember the big lesson for everyone at this point is that it is worth bringing a mechanic along to check a used 4x4. But for us; we are in it and committed. But confident it’ll turn out well. But we do have more support than most. The series is also abit behind on the reality of the situation: so for example, we have already had our first weekend camping, the canopy is on and we are already looking at how to build the little camper setup in the rear. Next week the vehicle goes in to get the 4x4 system fixed and we replace the front and rear brakes. A lot of the parts that we need to replace we are upgrading at the same time; so this is stuff that most people would do anyways. Like upgrading the suspension and brakes, put on a canopy and install a new head unit and some seat covers etc. we want to do the same exhaust too just quieten up the current free flow job. Honestly we will show the total budget and where the money went, and also advise people where they could save money by buying right the first time. It is what it is; but at least we have some content for you guys to watch, when this truck is good to go, it’s going to be awesome. Code name Old Soldier even has a ROAM sticker already 😂

[@SKIKR]

@@RoamOverlanding ahhhh was really feeling the pain on Andys face 😢 😕. Keep it up bro, this adds a new dimension to your content. Thanks 😊

[@ktm690endurorally]

Been looking at finding this workshop but no luck 😂, any chance giving the name? I found a Paul’s workshop but they said was definitely not them…. I am looking for a great shop that can rebuild a 4x4 but looking for someone reputable

[@RoamOverlanding]

What 4x4 do you have bud? And where are you based?

[@RoamOverlanding]

The workshop we ended up using that got it right was called AG diagnostics and services, they specialise in Isuzu

[@ktm690endurorally]

@@RoamOverlanding thanks so much for the feedback 👌

[@nickw1322]

If that was bought in the uk you'd be able to say no that's not fit for purpose and have your money back or have the selling dealer sort it with all those issues. Still it's given you a chance for some content! How did the workshop not have it fully sorted and ready for you after a month?! Leaving the most crucial part still not working and the the turbo issue on a engine that's been out!

[@RoamOverlanding]

I don’t have anything bad to say about the workshop; the dodgey part is that the company who rebuilt the turbo closed down and disappeared over night so we had no way to get a warranty. The workshop then paid for the turbo to be rebuilt again; they have been nothing but amazing and hard working on this project so I won’t say anything bad about them. The vehicle is unfortunately the thing that makes it so damn difficult at times, but we all think it’s going to be a great vehicle once we have worked out the kinks

[@arnopieterse]

As soon as an engine comes out of a truck, its no longer a "budget" build...

[@RoamOverlanding]

It has to happen to more trucks than most think. But you just scale the series to whatever suits your situation. In our case we needed to do a bit extra; but some people wont.