Which is cheaper to maintain, the Isuzu Pickup or the Isuzu Pickup?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Isuzu Pickup is cheaper to maintain — about $3,859 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 1.8L I4 and the 2.6L I4?

Across 32 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Isuzu Pickup or Isuzu Pickup?

The Isuzu Pickup has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The Isuzu Pickup has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1987 Isuzu Pickup vs 1995 Isuzu Pickup — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1987

1995

Engine

1.8L I4

2.6L I4

Drivetrain

RWD

4WD

Transmission

manual

automatic

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

120hp

Torque

—lb-ft

150lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

95 mph

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

Curb Weight

—

3,450 lb

Max Towing

—

4,500 lb

Max Payload

—

1,450 lb

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$6,852

0.11 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$10,711

0.18 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEIsuzu Pickup — Saves you $3,859 over 5 years (56% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

Cylinder Head Gasket Failure (2.6L I4)

— hrs

— hrs$1,495 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.3 hrs$360 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Timing belt service

3.5 hrs$370 / 5yr

4.5 hrs$430 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.0 hrs$380 / 5yr

Camshaft Wear (2.6L I4 High Mileage)

— hrs

— hrs$700 / 5yr

Clutch Kit and Flywheel Resurfacing (Manual Trans)

— hrs

— hrs$650 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$240 / 5yr

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.5 hrs$185 / 5yr

4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr

Water pump

2.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

3.2 hrs$210 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Spark plugs

0.6 hrs$170 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

1.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure

— hrs

— hrs$260 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Alternator

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.6 hrs$125 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

1.5 hrs$114 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.2 hrs$76 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr

Ignition coil

0.8 hrs$80 / 5yr

Harmonic Balancer Deterioration

— hrs

— hrs$158 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

Transmission Mount Collapse

— hrs

— hrs$130 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

Isuzu Pickup

No fluid spec data available

Isuzu Pickup

brake · DOT 3 Brake Fluid

coolant10.00 qt · Isuzu Long Life Coolant

engine_oil5.50 qt · Isuzu Genuine 5W-30 Diesel

front_diff1.50 qt · 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil

power_steering1.00 qt · Power Steering Fluid

rear_diff2.00 qt · 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil

transfer_case2.50 qt · Transfer Case Fluid

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Isuzu ATF III

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

1987 Isuzu Pickup

1.8L I4

Isuzu Pickup is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$3,859 over 5 years)

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.