Thread: Australian Series 3 109 utility back in UK

Originally Posted by stenh02

Hello greeting from Scotland, UK. I was looking to get some info on a CKD kit that was built in Australia in 1981 and then imported back to UK in 1983. It was originally Bahama Gold. The engine block is painted green. No. 90691938c (Feb 1981)Vin. LBCAG1AF 508101. With punch date that looks like 5 81 (presume May 1981) Only got it a few weeks ago and undergoing a restoration at the moment. Any tips on where to look for answers on its history in Australia?Many thanks,Grant.

hi grant i have the same model 8i.000ks on the clock regards jim pm me

Compliance plate indicates 4 cylinder diesel - correct? You may already be aware, but if not, you may have a series 3 stage one with an Isuzu diesel which was an option in Oz if you did not want a v8.

Will drop you a PM Russell.

No, didn’t know about the isuzu connection. Looks like a standard Series 3 diesel unit from the outside. Has additional numbers stamped on the head towards exhaust manifold as well.

What external differences are there?

Cheers

From the outside it will look like any other Stage 1 - it will have the stage 1 front end. It will have had the Isuzu 3.9 diesel as standard if it is a Stage 1.

However Wikipedia indicates the diesel Stage 1 was not released until 82 but I know there are 81 Stage 1 diesels out there. So maybe 81 was the change over and you have one of the last Series 3 diesels (not Isuzu). If a 3.9 it should have the 3.9 emblem on the side of the front guards.

Garry

If it was a Stage One wouldn't the front crossmember be further forward too?

A stage 1 is constant 4wd with the LT95 gearbox - a standard series 3 will be part time with the old series 3 gearbox.

Edit - just spotted the Free Wheeling Hubs so not constant 4wd so would seem to be a standard series 3 - that would make it one of the last made.

Think I jumped in too soon, ahead of the more knowledgeable. Sorry to raise your hopes if it's not a stage 1 Isuzu, as others are correctly indicating it is not (free wheeling hubs, shorter bonnet, steel fan etc).

But you should get one.

Definitely not a stage 1 Isuzu - the regular diesel was still being sold alongside the Isuzu in 1981. However, you are likely to find some differences from the home market vehicle. For example, it almost certainly has a three bearing engine, where the home market one at that date would be five bearing.