(first posted 4/12/2013) Quick: Name an American-built pickup truck from the late 1990s that is not called Ford, Chevy, GMC or Dodge. OK, then, I mean yesterday, before you read the headline. Would you have guessed “Isuzu Hombre”? If so, you are a better person than I am.
I am a sucker for oddball vehicles–you know, the kind that languish in showrooms and within five years are remembered by virtually nobody. Today we have such a vehicle. Just how obscure is this one? Wiki asserts it may be the rarest North American pickup of the ’90s. Wiki’s editors note that there is no citation for that fact, but is one really needed?
Poor Isuzu. Other than the Trooper of the 1980s and the Rodeo SUV that you read about here last week, have they ever been able to build a vehicle that more than a couple of hundred people in the entire U.S. can remember? In a way, Isuzu is sort of like Peugeot–revered and successful throughout the developing world, yet unable to even sniff at success in America. And poor Paul–is this an American or Asian truck? I’m glad I am not managing the CC index.
From 1988 through 1995, Isuzu built its own pickup (cleverly named the Isuzu Pickup), in Lafayette, Indiana. Related to the Rodeo (also built in Lafayette), the little truck was known worldwide as the TF (or third series) pickup, and as the Faster in its home market. It could have been the vehicle with more worldwide names than any other, including the Chevrolet LUV (Americas), Vauxhall Brava (UK), Isuzu Dragon Eyes (Thailland), Isuzu Fuego (Phillipines), and so many others that I have tired of looking them up and re-typing them here. After the 1995 model year, production of the vehicle was discontinued at the Lafayette plant, although it continued to be built for another seven years elsewhere in the world. One may presume that Isuzu figured to sell more Passports through Honda dealers than it could sell pickups (sorry, I mean Pickups) through its own dealers.
So, you ask (and quite reasonably): Why is he talking so much about the TF series that came before the Hombre rather than the Hombre itself? The answer is that the TF at least had more than four paragraphs written about it across the entire internet, which is more than we can say about the Hombre. Really, now, a show of hands: Who out there has ever even HEARD of an Hombre? And be honest. Let’s see – six . . . seven . . . eight, back there by the door . . . OK, it looks like eight.
I will confess that I was one of the vast multitude who’d have lost a $5 bet on the existence of this car. Then, about two weeks ago, I stumbled across this one, which was parked next to a downtown Indianapolis parking meter. There was something odd about the grille on the green “S-10” I was approaching on the way back to my own car–it looked vaguely like a grille on some Isuzu models. Then I saw the “Hombre” badges on the doors and tailgate.
Photo source: Wikipedia
“Holy Crap” was all I could think. I whipped out my phone camera and started to document the automotive equivalent of finding an okapi (a rarely seen African animal that resembles both a giraffe and a zebra) in the wild. Just who exactly would be driving an Isuzu Hombre in downtown Indianapolis?
You have probably figured out that these were produced on the same Shreveport, LA assembly lines as the Chevy S-10 and GMC S-15 that came out that same year. Why they chose not to call it either an S-5 or an S-20, well, I can’t say. I also can’t tell you how the Hombre got completely different front fenders, front bumper and rear bed quarters than its line-mates. Undoubtedly, the GM product planners expected the Hombre to be the style (and volume) leader of the line, which required having fender flares at all four wheel openings. Or not. I quit trying to figure out the thinking of GM product planners a long time ago. Or could this have been an Isuzu project with enough of a budget for some unique sheet metal? Again, I have no answers; however, I can tell you that this is a 1999 or 2000 model from the revised grille. Does this mean I’m now ready for the exams to be certified as a national expert on this little truck? This is just sad.
Motor Trend gave this vehicle a look in its April 1996 issue. They liked the low price (around $11,500) and the fender flares (seriously), but wished that an automatic transmission would have been among the options available with the 2.2-liter four–but really, who needs an automatic when they have fender flares?
I tried unsuccessfully to find some production figures. Maybe MCT, our production number guru, can help out here. I did, however, stumble across a fabulous sentence on a timeline found on planetizuzu.com: “1996 – Isuzu’s sales peak in the United States. The Isuzu Hombre pickup was introduced.” There you have it. Isuzu was humming along, minding its own business and doing just fine, when the Hombre crashes the party and starts everything swirling down the drain. Clearly, the introduction of the Hombre marked the beginning of the end of Isuzu vehicles being taken seriously.
I have been trying to take the Hombre seriously, but I just can’t. I have, however, begun to develop an appreciation for its camp factor. I’ve never considered myself a big fan of this generation of S-10; how can you drive a pickup that looks so much like a big carp from the front? But the Hombre is, well, just different. You’ll certainly not find another one on your street. Or City. Or County. Or . . . oh, never mind. In fact, I did a search on AutoTrader.com. Would you guess that there was not a single Hombre for sale within 200 miles of my zip code? I sort of like the little thing, but I simply will NOT go more than 200 miles for one.
So, just what do I like about it? It’s simple, it looks better than an S-10, and if you find one it will absolutely have a stick shift. And say whatever else you will about the thing, it is undeniably unique. But there is one more reason–but dare I state it? OK, then. I know you’ve been waiting for this throughout the entire piece, so here goes: Because it’s one tough Hombre, that’s why.
I had a purple S-10 for years (traded it with 148,000 on the clock – it brought back my faith in Chevrolet and GM), but would have loved to get hold of a Hombre; if only because I wouldn’t see myself coming down the street from the opposite direction on a daily basis. And, collision damage aside, it’s an easily cared for collectible. All the necessary parts are available at you local Chevrolet or GMC dealer (or Autozone, NAPA, Advance Auto, Pep Boys, etc., etc., etc.).
I have one bought it brand new in Feb 1999, but it’s a 98 paid 8900.00.
Just out of bankruptcy, I figured this cheap little truck is an ideal way to rebuild my credit… But I had to make a deal with myself, if I bought it is have to drive it till it died…
It’s January 24th 2017!!!!!! It’s not dead yet!!!
I beat this truck beat it and beat it…. I wanted to get my next truck, OK?
I haven’t. Hanged th oil since September 2009, had to change oil filter once though it got so clogged th oil was spewing from around the rubber gasket on the filter, just last month an upper “factory original” ball joint ripped from casing (someone hit a curb and fractured it sometime ago)… The other upper ball joint still tight and rubber boot intact.
Anyway I’m just posting this on a break from installing it’s first new clutch and pressure plate, (only 140.00 bucks for a new set). It never left me stranded until the ball joint went, obviously that’s not the manufacturers fault, I wreaked into the back of a full size 4X4 in 2001 & put an s-10 hood grill fenders and core support on it and repainted it, the s-10 bumper is actually already on the truck, as an Isuzu, Isuzu simply added a plastic cover to give it their unique weird look.
As much as I tried to kill this truck, I’m glad and proud that I bought such a pick up.
I actually just bought an almost mint (interior and exterior) purple 96 Isuzu hombre with 59k miles and a clean title and can find anything about it anywhere! Was trying to see how much it’s worth and I can’t even find one for sale. Hopefully the rarity brings the value up lol
The front looks exactly like the 1st-gen Chevrolet Apache S-10 from Brazil. You see many of those here in Chile…
The Isuzu TF was sold in Germany as the Opel Campo.
Yup, for reasons only GM knows, this was just the South American (and apparently European) styling of the S-10…
The Brazilian Chevrolet S-10 was designed by Jack Finegan and his team at General Motors’ design centre in Brazil. After it was completed, the Isuzu division picked up the same design for the Hombre.
Never heard of these, but do remember the equally forgettable Isuzu Ascender (based on the Chevrolet Trailblazer).
I saw one of those about a week or two ago.
I saw several of those in Costa Rica.
There are at least two of these in Indianapolis. A fellow I know has one. I’m pretty sure it’s an extended-cab model. White.
I’ve seen one here in Wichita.
I wonder if this was a follow-up to the Isuzu Pup.
That would be “P’up.” Not sure if the apostrophe makes it more or less cutesy.
I posted a well-used example to the cohort a while ago: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58964864@N00/8036241862/in/photostream
The P’up seems to have been offered from 1983-88 as the U.S. version of the 2nd generation Faster, followed by the “Pickup” (3rd generation Faster), and finally followed by the Hombre.
I also know that in 1981, the Isuzu built Chevrolet LUV was redesigned and it continued into 1982. By that time, the Chevy S-10 was introduced and Isuzu was setting up dealers in the US, mostly on the west coast to sell the P’up along with the I-Mark sedan (based on the T car and a continuation of the Buick/Opel by Isuzu). And there was a diesel engine option on the Isuzu
P’up from 1982-87.
D-pressin’. I’d be much happier reading about the 3rd gen Faster/Pick-up.
BTW, the model name Dragon Eyes is very amusing. “I just bought a new Dragon Eyes, wanna go for a ride?”
“SURE!”
Isuzu Dragon Eyes! Everyone would remember this truck if it had that name.
There’s one of these, a gold-ish colored one with the black bumpers that I see at a low income apartment complex, most of the time with a flat tire. Every couple of weeks, the tire is aired up and an old man will be driving it through town.
Isn’t it interesting, in the 1970’s, Ford had the Courier which was a rebadged Mazda and Chevy had the LUV which was a rebadged Isuzu. Fast forward to the 1990s and the reverse was true. Mazda pickups were simply rebadged US built Rangers and these were basically S-10s.
GM not letting Isuzu have an automatic in the Pickup is sort of like Ford not letting Mazda have the four-door version of the Navajo/Explorer.
“We’ll be happy to let you have a re-badge of our hot selling truck for your showrooms. But only in a configuration no one wants to buy.”
I think the Mazda B3000 & Navajo were sops for dealers, for I can’t fathom why else Mazda execs would risk sullying their good name in selling a Ford-built product under their brand. For my part, I’d buy a Mazda3 in a heartbeat over the similar Focus, regardless of packaging, because according to CU surveys, Ford forgets “Job One” way too often. Cars, the 2nd most costly purchase most people ever make, can get very expensive in time & cash if every part isn’t 6σ quality. Not just final-assembly, but the ENTIRE supply chain, has to be on the ball, all the time.
There was a time when it was decided that a 2-door SUV was a “truck” and a 4-door SUV was a “car”. A truck was subject to the “chicken tax”, so Mazda had Ford build the 2-door in the USA.
You must be referring to the Customs Service in 1989 reclassifying 2-door SUVs as light trucks. Before that, the Japanese merely imported the chassis w/o the bed to circumvent the tax.
Quote from the Chicken Tax article on Wikipedia (q.v.): “As of Nov. 2010, the 1964 tariff of 25% still affects importation of light trucks. Robert Z. Lawrence, professor … at Harvard University, contends the chicken tax crippled the U.S. automobile industry by insulating it from real competition in light trucks for 40 years.”
Speak for yourself here but Ford Rangers are cockroaches of the road.
My ’92 2.3L 5speed is slow but it just won’t die and I see many, many of similar and older vintage on the roads every day.
Glad to hear it. I know someone who has an old Ranger too (1st-gen), & what may be a saving grace is the relative simplicity of the type; cheap parts & simple maintenance might compensate for factory quality problems.
I was going more by Ford’s general reputation, which has had its highs & lows. Surprisingly, CU says the recent Fusion Hybrid is supposed to be stellar.
“… why else Mazda execs would risk sullying their good name in selling a Ford-built product under their brand…”
Really? Ford trucks have a good rep, and Mazda was also bailed out by Ford at one time. And owned controlling interest.
Now, they are controlled by Toyota. So, if not for being subsidized by larger company, they’d have went under.
Mazda said it chose to take only the 2-door. At the time that they thought the 4WD MPV would cover the 4-door segment; when it became obvious that what the market wanted was the 4-door Explorer, Ford didn’t have any 4-door capacity to spare.
I am going to peg this one as a 1998 model, due to it having the revised-for-1998 interior (which was the rather plush Sonoma version) and the older style outside mirrors, or should I say mirror in this case? In 1999 the S-10-Blazer-Sonoma-Jimmy-Bravada and obviously Hombre got larger exterior mirrors.
Sad to say, whenever I see one of these little Hombres (which is pretty rare), it’s always in a sad state of condition
I recall the Pickup being rather popular back in the day, especially in the South. The Mini-Truck scene also really loved them too, as it seemed that you always saw customized ones, both on the road, and on the cover of like, Mini Truck Magazine or something like that.
I went with 99 because it appeared that the front end on this one was used only in 1999-2000. I thought the 96-98 used the simpler grille shown in the photo of the Red Hombre in the piece. However, with something like this, either the grille or the mirror could have been changed at some point, so who is to say. Do you have anything showing the bolder grille on the 98? If so, I will happily defer to your wisdom and will pass the title of CC Hombre expert.
Good point. I had noticed that the red truck and the black truck in the pics you shared show both mirror designs, but then the grilles are different and then I can see where you would have came to your conclusion. It is entirely possible that one or the other had been changed, but I can’t say I have ever seen one of these where the older mirrors were put in place of the newer design.
Of course, stranger things have been known to happen…
For what it’s worth, I’m probably the only one who would notice such a detail anyway 😛
You’re not the only one, LOL. I don’t recall ever seeing a single 1998+ S-10 or Blazer, etc. without the new mirror style, but given Isuzu’s hand-me-down status with GM it wouldn’t surprise me if the Hombre was used to clear the parts bins of the old-style mirrors.
Incidentally, the old mirror design was prone to severe vibration at highway speeds once they loosened up a bit at the pivot. I had a lot of customers complain about it.
Hmm… a trip to Google Images showed me the new mirrors did come along in 1999, not 1998. I stand (self-) corrected!
Technically, the small TF series pickup truck built by Isuzu was labeled as P’up (not ‘pickup’) in the US, and was generally referred to as the ‘Pup’ truck. Here’s a recent Junkyard Find from TTAC on one:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/12/junkyard-find-1984-isuzu-pup/
From what I could find, the 2nd series Faster (KB) was the P’up but the 3rd series (TF) was the Isuzu Pickup, as on this ad.
Nice parking.
One of my neighbors has the only up-optioned Isuzu I-350’s (The more recent, and just as rare Isuzu badged Colorado) I’ve ever seen, quad cab, 4wd, bright yellow. It seems like most are the I-270, standard cab, 2wd versions, very much like the Hombre. I think the major advantage of the Isuzu (much like why people buy the Suzuki Equator over the Nissan Frontier) was not only was it a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the Chevrolet version, they also had a longer warranty.
I met someone who had an Isuzu I-350–the only one I’ve ever seen on the road. He bought it at the only (or last) Isuzu dealer in town, which was also a Chevy dealer at the time; he admitted the only reason for buying it was the cheaper sticker price, since he would be taking it to the same dealer regardless. (The dealer is now a Hyundai/Subaru dealer.)
Wow. I consider myself a good enthusiast, and usually know about all the odd ducks, but I seriously did not know about the I-350’s existence until I saw this post.
I never heard of a Hombre and never saw one here in New Jersey. That front end looks more Ford Rangerish then anything.
The only Isuzu Pickup that I recall in large numbers was the 1980’s Isuzu P’Up Space Cab, which was a nice looking little truck, especially in that Space Cab configuration.
Very nice find and article by JP!
I’ve seen a few around Pittsburgh over the years. Those rear fender flares ended up on the S-10 crew cabs, then again South America had S-10 crew cabs before we did.
After their attempts at selling cars flopped, I figured it was only a matter of time before their truck lines flopped too. I had them on my death watch since1990. GM put Isuzu versions of their vehicles out there to goose their production figures any way they could. Seeing these GM Isuzus to me was like seeing Norman Bates dressing up his dead mother for an imaginary barn dance in her bedroom. Over the past decade, I think the only Isuzu presence within the US has been the same post office box used by a New Jersey mail order company selling salad forks.
Isuzu had a reputation as the toughest truck in Japan when I lived there. Seems you need to be careful who you associate with. The marriage looked good with the Chevy Luv but GM sort of shouldered them aside when they stopped the Luv for the S10.
I never have been a fan of parts bin engineering. It works better in some instances than others (like Ford/Merc) but some are just crazy (caddie/chev citation). I would say that the Isuzu Hombre was the solution to a problem that did not exist.
Isuzu co-developed the diesel engine in the current full size GM pickups so they are still using them to this day. I worked at OReillys for a year and remember a stinky little short guy wearing a dirty pair of glasses asking in a high reedy voice for a lower ball joint on an Isuzu Hombre. He reminded me of something out of a horror movie. Yeah, the grille on both him and the truck was busted out too.
Mazda’s rebadged Ranger, B series, also answers the original question.
Let’s not leave out that other former supplier of big 3 mini trucks Mitsubishi. For a few years they got a version of the Dakota called the Raider. In my experience they are even less common than the Hombre.
Saw a Raider on the road yesterday. Very unusual as they weren’t sold here (Canada).
Yes, from 1994-on, the US Mazda B-series pickups were rebadged Ford Rangers. Every model from 1993 back was engineered and built by Mazda. The dead giveaway is the 6-lug wheels on Mazda-engineered trucks, and 5-lug wheels on the Ford-designed models. The old Ford Courier was designed and built by Mazda, 6-lug hubs and all.
In the rest of the world, Mazda continued to update their own truck models, and in some places they were still sold as Fords as well. Mazda now has a mid size truck of their own design, the BT-50, which I think is quite attractive.
If you do want a bit more Mazda in your Ford-built truck, the later Rangers and B-series with the DOHC 2.3L use the MZR, a Mazda-designed engine. The older 2.3L is the Pinto motor.
I am surprised that nobody mentioned the bumper sticker on the back: “I’m A Player.” It seemed to me that a guy can be a player, or he can drive an Hombre, but not both at the same time.
Given the Hombre’s front end, I’d say he plays a bit rough.
“I’m Not a Player, I Just Truck A Lot”
Seen one? Heard of one? Hell, I’ve driven one!
Summer of ’97, I think. Had to pick one up at a used car dealer and ferry it to the shop where I worked. I knew it was an S-10, but I was surprised that it was literally an S-10 with a different sticker and a different air bag cover on the steering wheel. That was it.
These weren’t that uncommon around here. Yes, still outnumbered by S-10s and Sonomas by about 100:1, but I recall seeing quite a few. Always thought they would make a great buy if one was in the market for an S-10 anyway.
Thats just a Holden Rodeo, rare? nar common as Corollas lots of these still running around like most Jappas the diesel is the charm.
Nope… the Holden Rodeo, which I had to look up, was a completely different truck than this, based on the Isuzu Faster. The Faster was the Isuzu Pickup in the US until 1995, when it was replaced by this – the Hombre – which was based on a Chevrolet S-10/GMC Sonoma (all of which it said in the article).
Since I’ve never seen a Holden Rodeo imported into the US they must be too shitty and wimpy to deal with our demanding road conditions.
Mazda and Mitsubishi also went the captive import role reversal route, but Isuzu was definitely the least popular and most obscure.
CC Effect in effect, was behind one of these in traffic today! I wouldn’t have noticed if not for this story.
I remember these. Given that I was never a fan of the S-10/Sonoma, I found the Hombre, with its plain, cheap front end and total lack of options, to be absolutely pathetic. The “real” Isuzus at the time – the ancient Trooper and the lousy even by ’90s standards Rodeo/Amigo – weren’t any better.
Isuzu was on my “Actively Rooting for Death Watch” (along with Mitsubishi and Suzuki) long before the even more blatantly rebadged Ascender and I-Series*.
*The I-Series/Colorado/Canyon are all based on an Isuzu design, so the Chevy/GMC twins are the true phonies. Regardless, it’s vastly inferior to the S-10, making it perhaps the worst American market truck ever, so what’s the difference?
Yes, the Isuzu D-Max, produced in southeast asia is the original. And much better looking. GM took the basic design and gave it ugly sheet metal, and GM engines to create the Colorado/Canyon. Then Isuzu, needing a Hombre replacement, used GM’s sheet metal instead of their own for the USA market I270/I350. Reasoning, I suppose, is that GM built the I270/350 in Shreveport.
I know nothing about this truck – and to tell you the truth I’d forgotten about it.
But I did know of it, in its day. Oddly enough, on Cleveland’s far West Side (near the county line) there were, not one but TWO of these things rolling around. As far as I could see, not fleets or parts trucks – just S-10s with Isuzu badging.
I was never even slightly interested. It was an interesting styling exercise…(“How many billions can we spend on SUBTLE different stampings, guys?”) but I knew what lurked underneath was the same old S-10 from 1981 that we’ve all learned to ignore. Pointedly.
I can see the logic of Isuzu using assembly-line capacity to make more SUVs for Honda, than non-selling pickups for their own sparse customers. But I had thought of it as closing the loop: GM, caught, as all American companies were, unawares at the Japanese Mini-Pickup craze, takes an Isuzu, puts Chevy badging and a few ambiguous hints on the body…and calls it LUV. Isuzu rides the tide, tries to sell their own wares unassisted…runs into trouble…has a hole in their lineup. And calls in some chips…and Chevrolet gives them a rebadging of a not-so-saleable pickup of their own.
Alas, the magic doesn’t follow this time.
I can’t fathom all the hate I read here for the S-10. It sold like hotcakes. The ’88-’95 Isuzu Pickup was built in Indiana? I had a ’95 with a VIN number starting with “J”. Built in Japan. Great truck. Base model SWB. Also had a ’83 P’up, a LS LWB. That was a good looking, quasi-luxury jap truck, but man was it slow. Top speed 77mph, a tailwind might get you 80. It was a shame about Isuzu, they made an excellent product, but tried to be a price leader in the land of excess, America. Look at their tilt-cab medium trucks, they dominate that segment. Durable, maneuverable, and economical.
At least one person here agrees with you. I was an Isuzu fan starting in about 1962 and their personality in the states is nothing resembling how they are perceived internationally (IMO). I always thought the S10 was not so hot but I think I was comparing it to the Luv which was Isuzu and, I think, great. Now I own one and don’t see anyway I’m dumping it. I wish it had an extended cab (not 4 doors) and can think of no other pertinent criticism.
One thing I have noticed in any forum is that the people who generally badmouth a vehicle the most have not really owned or driven that vehicle. This forum is generally not that way as there is a very tight hand on the reins and extremely knowledgable commenters. Even though my taste runs to the oddball that keeps me coming back.
I think the S10 and Dakota could stand to have a CC. Think the Ranger had one. There I go again.
I’ve heard of all of these, seen a few of the Hombres and newer Colorado-based Isuzus, and even Ascenders, but I’ve never sen a Suzuki Equator outside full page ads in the motorcycle magazines when it was launched. Anyone else?
I’ve never seen a Suzuki Equator and didn’t know they even existed until right before Suzuki bounced outta the US market. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any i-Series or Ascenders either.
I anxiously await the day when I sight all of these parked somewhere in-between a Kia Borrego and Saab 9-4X.
No one mentioned the Axiom. That was a distinctively styled SUV … but too late to help Isuzu.
There’s a 98 for sale in Stockton as we speak. $1800, and it looks thrashed:
Runs good 4 cill 5 speed trabaja vien solo tiene la luz prendida de check engine tienes placas todo este año llamar 123 456 7890 para mas informacion
I own a Saab and a Trooper. GM: Is there nothing they can’t cock up?
I knew the end was near for Isuzu when they replaced the Trooper with the Ascender, following their Pickup/Hombre move. The Ascender (granted, I rented a Envoy to judge) was nearly the polar opposite of the Trooper as far as driving and visual aesthetics.
Not that Isuzu could have been ‘saved’. Like Suzuki and soon Mitsubishi, there’s only so much room at the table.
What a cool find… I remember these, but to be honest it’s been so long that I forget they were the same thing as an S-10. I thought Isuzu just renamed their Pickup to “Hombre” at one point. Also, when the guesses came in on the CC Clue, I heard “Isuzu Hombre” and thought that this was going to be the Honda Odyssey rebadged Isuzu Oasis – which I think may have only existed as taxicabs in NYC.
FWIW, I’d rather have one of these than an S-10 or Sonoma – just for the fact that I don’t particularly like them and this is at least a little different. I love the green paint and Mad Max look on this one. Also, it seems like the Hombre could only be had with the 5-speed and Cavalier-sourced 2.2l four in 1996. In ’97 they added the 4.3l V6 (with 5-speed or automatic) and from ’98-onward you could get it in 2WD or 4WD versions too… not that anyone ever knew this, since I’m sure they sold <5,000 per year.
The CC effect strikes again! I saw one on the road in the exact same color in much better (though far from perfect) condition. Wish I had been able to take a pic…
I owned one of these turds in 2001, it was a 97 model with 60k miles and I bought it for 2500. worst mistake i have made, i was constantly fixing things in this truck. First it needed a new alternator, then the ac vents behind the dash needed fixing, the fuel pump float switch did not read anywhere near accurate (always said full) passenger mirror cracked in half, windshield wiper motor was defective, recalled after i fixed it but got refund, oil pan plug stripped and to replace it meant removing the engine to replace the pan. thats when i gave up and got rid of it. It was dead slow, very heavy, couldnt stop for anything and felt it like it was gonna break in half when you went over a speed bump.
be glad most of you havent heard of this truck!
We are considering buying one…a 1999 for my son. You obviously say not too correct.
Luis, you must have gotten a lemon… ??
I see a red one at work sometimes with some rusted out rear fenders
The Hombre is a rebadged Brasilian-market Chevrolet S10 exc 4 the suspension (Hombres used the USA-spec S10 IFS (G and E-body-based) – the Brazilian model has torsion bars up front…
i own a 99 , got it from my farther after he passed. he bought used at a chevy dealer , had about 56000 on it , got it from him with 68000. i used it for about 3 month , shifts sweet , ac blows u out. great on gas…….been sitting for about 2 years now. started yesterday , took it for a spin around the block…….this puppy still shift soooooooo smooth , body has a couple of rust marks that need sanding but at 78000 miles on it now the only thing ive had to replace is the battery.
great pick up ……
Do you recommend buying a 1999 if it runs well? Have you had to do many repairs?
I never heard of the Hombre until last week. Was looking on Kijiji for a s10 and there was one on sale by an old man at 20min from where I live. In conclusion, I got it for 600 bucks and it runs better than a lot of car I had. I have some plans for it 🙂
Isuzu TFS 2002 3.1 T/D. Highest torque & hp of any European spec doublecan. Built in 12 factories around the world. Beautiful drive, toqs like a freight train. All comforts including aircon, side steps etc. Very desirable in Europe & hard to find at a sensible price.
Just bought a 2000 Hombre a day before yesterday, 127,000 miles on the clock for $500… runs/drives great, previous owner forgot to latch hood after jump-starting a friend, hood flew up and killed the windshield and the cowl ends… got new windshield for $139 installed… like my new ride!
I’m beginning to wonder whether they only came in one colour…..
You do know chevy and isuzu have been working together for a LONG time right? The Duramax motors are an Isuzu design. The hombre ran the years of the “early second gen ” S10, and even now they have or had the I280 which is a colorado damn near. They also designed the 2.2 motor for the S10 at least from 98-04.
I just saw a truck in Valparaiso, Indiana today just like the one in your photo! I am pretty well familiar with all types of rare vehicles but I have to say I have never heard of the Hombre. As some car companies do, they market vehicles under different names in Canada, Mexico etc. For example when I took a trip to Canada in the 90s what we knew as a Geo Metro here was marketed as a Pontiac Firefly. So I figured the truck I saw today was from out of the country. I wonder if it was the truck in your photo. Thanks for the interesting article.
Brazilian General Motors didn’t receive a good feedback on marketing research when evaluated the receptivity of the original S-10 by some local people, so GMB did its own design style for the local production S-10/Blazer in the 90’s, with a Brazilian taste: the pick-up nose more approached to a car than a truck as the original S-10 has, like any other smaller car-pickup so popular there. The final job let the S-10/Blazer closer in style to other Opel based Chevrolets from Brazil, like the Omega, Kadett and Monza. GM Detroit liked it and brought it to other markets, specially under Isuzu badge. It looks like Isuzu Hombre used the first two design style from the Brazilian S-10, after Isuzu, GMB still restyled it another time until the current global model. Here’s the first gen from Brazil:
i owned one of these rebadges..
rented it at a rental place called rent a wreck , i liked it for my lawn bizz
they said they sold what they rented , , i bought it
I liked the stick shift and it was perfect for what i needed
Also i hated the S10 front ends & thought mine was way cooler looking
definitely not a full size pick up , but it was a trooper and took the load , lol poor thing
boy i miss that truck , had to stop driving do to Migraines
I have owned a manual transmission Green 1998 4X4 with 124K for about a year. All 4WD models came with the 4.3L six. Some of the parts are getting hard to find. Hardly any rust, which is rare here in New England. That is the reason I have been gradually replacing parts, as rust is the killer. Expect to get 200K or more out of it. Did not realize I had such a unique vehicle.
Sounds like a lot of you have never spent much time around northwest Arkansas. I’ve seen six or seven in the last few years, two of which I own (1996 got sugared and became the frankenstein donor for the 1998).
Not to be confused with the other Pedro here who posted back when this article was newly written in 2013, The Isuzu Hombre was in fact an oddball. While it was generally a Chevrolet S-10 Pickup which also shared the same platform and design characteristics as the Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy in 99% of its contents along with its general appearance, the front end still retained the Isuzu Rodeo/Opel Frontera front nose. In fact the two earlier versions of the Isuzu Rodeos were still based from the different and older Isuzu Pup/Chevrolet LUV platform and styling themes which predates back to the early 1970s.
I have a copper colored 1998 hombre I bought in 2013 used it still only has 68,000 miles on the clock. Have replaced right front idler, steering gear box and the dash is cracked from the Florida sun. I miss an onboard navigation system but thats an easy $200 update. This truck is a work horse and fun to drive. It’s become the primary vehicle after VW buyback of Jetta diesel. I plan to drive it till it dies.
My.1998 hombre still running strong, about ready for an oil change
2018 and my 98 hombre is still kickin!
266,000 miles and counting
Out of curiosity, I checked out my local Craigslist, and what do you know — there’s a Hombre for sale. A 2000 Hombre with 221,000 miles for the oddly precise asking price of $1,218:
https://norfolk.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-isuzu-hombre/6563109023.html
I test drove a purple one in Indy last year with the 2.2L and a claimed 80k on the clock, ended up buying a ’97 Ranger. This spring I was once again in the hunt for a cheap hauler/commuter and there was one listed in Noblesville (rust free Florida truck with working A/C and faded paint) for $2500ish that I never heard back from the seller on. Ended up with another Ranger, this time a ’94 (both Lima 5spd RWD reg cabs). I also test drove a ’95 S10 with the 4.3L and stick in a regular cab down in Beech Grove before settling on another Ranger. The S10s and their derivatives have smoother rides as a function of not having the Ford’s ancient but sturdy twin I beam front end, but the Rangers just feel like actual tought little trucks. Like an F150 that was shrunk down. The S10s feel flimsier and more car like, but I certainly know they can go the distance mechanically. The ’03-’97 Rangers seem much less rust prone than the equivalent year GMs as well.
i have a 96 hombre. uncle bought it new here in upstate ny. For some reason, most of them (mine included) were bright teal or other weird colors. Maybe part of the bad deal with GM. And oddly optioned, as previously mentioned, they were all 4 cyl 5spd manual but with uplevel AC, carpet, stereo and seats. Like an LT level interior, but with manual windows and no automatic.
Anyhow I keep it as a beater for teens to drive; very rusty but will run and drive forever. I dont think you could make a case that the 4cyl S10 is any less of a cockroach then the 4cyl Ranger. Both run forever with no maintenance.
I’ve heard of the S10s wearing timing chains on the 2.2L by 100k and a smattering of head gasket issues, but certainly many have also gotten to 200k+ miles with few issues. I do give Rangers the edge (in a big way) in rust resistance. I also think the crude Ranger front suspension is sturdier in the long run. But I’ve not actually owned an S10, just test driven used ones.
I am sure some bought the Hombre, thinking “it’s an import, so it has to be better than the Chevy”. And would still think better if shown was built in same factory. “Well they have better inspectors after they are built” ?
Someone once said the Mazda version of Ranger is better, since Mazda has a ‘better dealer experience”. Really?
I like the way you blocked out the license plate so that it just reads “TK”. It makes it look like the license plate is going to be filled in later (because TK is editor shorthand for “to come”, a placeholder for additional content to be added later).
I’ve seen an Hombre or two but I have never seen an Isuzu i-series (the Chevy Colorado rebadge). Bet those are even more rare…
There is one of these on a Craigslist near me, it is white and has the same type of front end damage as this one has.
I never understood the flared rear fenders, either, unless it was another case of GM copying it’s crosstown rival. Ford built Mazdas with a slightly different set of rear fenders than the nearly identical Ranger.
More puzzling is the not being able to get an automatic transmission with a 4 cylinder.
Probably the rarest model for these is the extended cab model, I have seen maybe 1 in the last 20 years.
CC effect – saw my first ever Hombre today (AFAIK) about an hour after reading this.
Another rebadge of this thing is Holden, we have a very similar turbo diesel ute in the runabout fleet where I work behind the cab its a flat deck with multiple tool boxes it was the mechanics ute but now is just a general purpose ute it a Hilux and an old Terrano are my favourites as they are five speed manuals all the Rangers we have are auto.
I’ve only seen two of them, a white one sitting along a curb with parking tickets under the wiper, and I swear, the one pictured in the article, both about a year ago. I’ve known a lot of people with S-10s and S-15’s, and most of them were very happy with them, they are one tough little truck.
IIRC, the ’94 or ’95 Hombre was the last carbureted vehicle sold in America
That was the Isuzu Pickup in ’94 as I remember. Simply being a rebadged/restyled S10, the Hombre was always fuel injected.
I see this thread has been on a long time. I just purchased a 1999 Hombre. Extended cab, 2.2 engine. 5spd trans. I didn’t realize the family connection with S-10, but it did have something familiar about it. 129,533 miles. Runs great. Green. I too lik the front end better than the S-10. Bediner, tail lights have been upgraded to LED. I (and my wife)
are que happy with our little “Izzy”. It took about 2 weeks to get with the seller and test drive the truck. We paid $1800 and are happy. Parts are cheap and plentiful. We hope to drive Izzy for a long time.
My parents bought an Hombre for a basic work truck back in 2004. Fifteen years later it’s still alive and kicking. Never died and keeps going. We’ve towed three times what its supposed to be able to tow back and forth between Oregon and California and its never let us down. Really been an amazing vehicle.
I still Own and drive the 1997 Isuzu Hombre that I bought new for $8695 plus tax .. 181k and still going .
Saw this one in Nashville TN today
I bought my little 1998 hombre off my brother a few years ago, he still kicks himself every time I roll up in it! He bought it down in Florida so it had little rust, Minnesota winters have been working on that. I knew it was rare because people comment on it all the time. Even had one guy who thought I had named my truck Hombre! I had no idea how rare it is until I read this article. Mine says 163,600 on the dash and it’s an automatic transmission. Best little truck ever! I plan on keeping it running till I die.