Isuzu Faster Third Generation 1988–2002
| Third generation | |
|---|---|
Isuzu TF 4-door pickup (Italy)
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| Overview | |
| Also called | Isuzu Rodeo (Japan,Thailand *4WD only) Isuzu Faster-Z (Thailand) Isuzu Dragon Eyes (Thailand) Isuzu Dragon Power (Thailand) Isuzu Fuego (Philippines) Isuzu Invader (Sabah) Isuzu Ippon (Israel) Isuzu KB (South Africa) Isuzu Pickup (North America) Isuzu TF Isuzu TFR (Thailand) Isuzu TT Fortigo Chevrolet LUV Chevrolet T-Series (Egypt) Holden Rodeo Honda Tourmaster (Thailand) Opel Campo Vauxhall Brava (United Kingdom) Bedford Brava (United Kingdom) Foton Aoling T-Series (China) Jinbei SY10 (China) JiangLing Baodian (China) JiangLing Hunter (Philippines) |
| Production | 1988–2002 |
| Assembly | Chile: GM Chile Arica Plant Colombia: GM Colmotores Bogotá Plant China: Chongqing (Qingling) Japan: Fujisawa Plant, Fujisawa, Kanagawa Philippines: Biñan Philippines: Santa Rosa (Jiangling-DreamCo) Portugal: Vendas Novas (ITUK) Thailand: Samrong, Samut Prakan Tunisia: Kairouan (IMM) United States: Lafayette, Indiana |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door pickup truck 2-door pickup truck (Space Cab) 4-door pickup truck (Crew Cab) |
| Related | Isuzu Wizard (first generation) Isuzu Panther TBR 52/TBR 54 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.2 L 115 hp (85 kW) C22NE / 22LE I4 2.3 L 4ZD1 I4 2.6 L 4ZE1 I4 2.5 L 4JA1-T 2.8 L 4JB1-T td I4 3.0 L 4JH1-T 3.1 L 4JG2-T td I4 3.1 L LG6 V6 3.2 L 6VD1 V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
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For the third generation (TF), introduced in 1988, the domestic Japanese lineup was divided into two, with the "Faster" label used on rear-wheel drive versions with four-wheel drives now sold as the Isuzu Rodeo.
Rodeo became the name used in most markets for this car, but the profusion of labels for different markets continued. Versions sold in the Americas were called Isuzu Pickup and Chevrolet LUV. In the United Kingdom, the pickup was called Isuzu TF and also Bedford Brava from 1988 until 1991 when the Bedford brand was dropped and it became the Vauxhall Brava. The Isuzu was also sold in mainland Europe along with the Opel Campo. This Opel branding was also utilized in the Middle East, parts of North Africa and some Asian countries.
Holden Rodeo was the only name used in Australasia, with the Isuzu KB name used in South Africa and some other markets. The names Isuzu Faster-Z, Isuzu TFR, and Honda Tourmaster were used in Thailand. A Thai-market SUV based on the TF was sold as the Thairung Adventure, produced in semi-knocked-down by Thai Rung Union Car. Names used in other markets include: Chevrolet T-Series (Egypt), Isuzu Ippon (Israel), Isuzu Fuego (Philippines), and as the Isuzu Invader in the north-eastern parts of Malaysia (Sabah). License built copies have been sold as the Jinbei SY10 series, Foton Aoling T-Series in China, where the car has served as a basis for innumerable local copies, authorized and unauthorized.
In Japan, two-wheel drive versions were called "Isuzu Faster", with the "Rodeo" name reserved for four-wheel drive units. In 1992, an updated version of the 4JB1 2.8-litre turbodiesel with direct injection was introduced; while the original 2.8 has 100 PS (74 kW), the direct-injected version offered 110 PS (81 kW) at 3,600 rpm and 23.0 kg⋅m (226 N⋅m; 166 lb⋅ft) of torque at 2,300 rpm. Japanese sales ended in 1994 without replacement, although export markets continued to receive the vehicle until replaced by the D-Max from 2002.
The TF series received a facelift in 1997. Styling was changed, with a more rounded look at the front, and a new-look dash similar to that used in the 1995 to 1997 model Isuzu Wizard.
Australia
Holden introduced the TF series into Australia in 1988, branded as the Holden Rodeo, following on from the name of the previous Isuzu based light truck sold by the brand in Australia. The Holden Rodeo was initially available with a 2.6-liter 88 kilowatts (118 hp) inline-four. A 2.8-liter 74 kW (99 hp) turbodiesel was introduced soon after. Body styles offered were a two-door single cab, a two-door SpaceCab, with space for two small jump-seats (rarely if ever fitted in Australia) behind the front passengers, and a four-door Crewcab, with space for the driver and four passengers. Several trim levels were available, which included DX (base model), LX (mid-range RWD, top of 4WD range) and LT (top of range, only available as a RWD petrol Crewcab).
The facelifted 1997 (1998 model year) Holden Rodeo came with a new trim level, LT Sport, available as a four-wheel Crewcab only. Airbags for the driver and front passenger also became an option. By 1998 the 2.6-liter engine was discontinued and a new engine was offered, a 3.2-liter 140 kW (188 hp) V6. This engine was available in both rear- and four-wheel-drive. The rear-wheel drive version had the same chassis, and thus ride-height as the four-wheel-drive, but without the transfer case and front axle. The 3.2-liter V6 was the most powerful engine in a pickup truck in Australia until it was replaced in 2003 by the new look Rodeo based on the Isuzu D-Max. Accordingly, this engine was the most popular engine in the Rodeo, and the Rodeo sold very well overall, nearing the sales numbers of the Toyota Hilux, traditionally the best-selling commercial vehicle in Australia.
The Holden Rodeo was updated once again in 2001 for the 2002 model year, with a new diesel engine, a 3.1-liter 96 kW (129 hp) direct injection intercooled turbodiesel. The update was also accompanied by minor styling changes, such as clear indicator lenses, and a different grille.
Europe
In Europe the Isuzu was sold as the TF alongside the rebadged "Opel Campo". In the United Kingdom "Vauxhall Brava" badging was used rather than Opel. These received the same updates as did the Isuzu TF in general markets, and a variety of bodystyles were available, usually coupled with diesel engines.
North America
In North America, the TF series appeared in 1988 as simply the "Isuzu Pickup". Produced at Lafayette, Indiana, Isuzu continued on with the TF until 1996 when it was finally replaced with the Hombre (a badged-engineered Chevrolet S-10). The only engines available were the 96 hp (72 kW) 2.3-liter 4ZD1, the 120 PS (88 kW) 2.6-liter 4ZE1 and the GM 3.1-liter V-6 (designation LG6) producing 120 hp (89 kW) and 170 lb·ft (230 N·m) for the '91–'94 model years. This truck holds the distinction of becoming the last carbureted passenger vehicle sold new in the United States (1994 model year).
South America
As with the previous KB series generation, South American markets again received the TF models under the "Chevrolet LUV" name. The Chilean assembling works began began in 1982, meanwhile in Colombia commenced in 1989, In the assembling process, the local parts usage percentage was high and important for the LUV manufacturing process. In Chile it has reaching 40 percent domestic parts content, meanwhile in Colombia exceeded the 70%.
A successful export program beginning in Chile in 1980s to the Andean Community countries: Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela; and in 1993 began the exports from Chilean assembled units (in the SpaceCab model only) to Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, and Venezuela. In total, more than 220,000 units were produced only in Chile, and more than 300.000 in Colombia. From 1999 and to little success, Thai Rung Union Car supplied the Chevrolet plant in Arica, Chile with the unique body panels from their "Isuzu Grand Adventure" model to make the Chevrolet Grand Adventure and the "Chevrolet Grand LUV". The Grand Adventure was a wagon version of the TF series pickup.
By the late 1980s, supplementary assembly began in Quito, Ecuador by Omnibus BB Transportes (now General Motors Ecuador) with a 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder engine, making 80 horsepower (60 kW).
In October, 2005; was ceased the Isuzu Faster Chilean manufacture. In Colombia, the Isuzu Faster has ceased its production in 2010. The last Faster rolled of the assembly line in May 8, 2010. In both countries the Isuzu Faster was replaced by the Faster's replacement, the Isuzu D-Max, these firsts units were assembled only in Ecuador and later from vehicles coming from Thailand (2014 onwards).
