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Comments
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A long time ago I had a 1964 Corvair Eight Door Greenbriar Deluxe. I built an engine from junk yard scrap while running with the old engine to the junk yards in Florida, the ones with the rattle snakes in cages out front as a caution to scavengers that liked to crawl under. That engine I built with custom pistons and the distributer was very easy to adjust inside a little trap door on the rear of the van. The engine was running wide open a lot since it was small compared to the van. So, I would adjust my timing to match the fuel I was able to get. In the mountains out West the octane was lower than back East so I made this timing adjustment many times when driving cross country. Fuel economy was much better with higher octane and more agressive timing.
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Along comes the very first Isuzu Trooper I have ever seen in 1984. I bought it in San Diego. I took it apart to see how it worked thinking I'd better be ready to work on it all the time just like I worked on my Greenbriar all the time. Never had to do much with the Trooper, just regular maintenance for 201K miles when I sold it so I could buy my 1995 Trooper with A/C. I decided to do a octane vs. MPG test over about 2 dozen tanks of gas some of each the low and midgrade and high octane fuel. I found that the Trooper would get better MPG with the midgrade enough to offset the extra dime per gallon. The high octane fuel did not add very much more MPG compared to mid grade and so I used mid grade since. My 1984 Trooper only had an 11 gallon or so fuel tank, my reason for wanting more MPG was not so much to save money but to increase range between gas stops. Several times I was crossing a large distance (Alaska, Idaho, Monana etc..) through the night and had to lower speed to 45 MPH to be able to keep going until a gas station would open along my route, I prefered to keep driving rather than stop and wait a couple hours for the gas station to open in the morning.
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I have never repeated my MPG test over such a large number of tanks of gas, but I do like to use mid grade or sometimes they only has regular and high grade so I get high grade. Your mileage will vary.
dave
dave
As for the Duelers, everyone I know who's run 'em has noticed quick wear. A friend w/a 2002 Chevy 2500 running the same size 'upgrade' tires as most troopers (265-70-16) went through a set (almost down to the cords) in less than 40k miles - he switched to BFG TAs, and has managed 60+k with a good 1/4 to 1/3 tread left. YMMV.
SYJ
Please help!!
Thanks!
I put Rancho 9000's on my 99 Troop about 3 years ago. I don't know if its just me getting old or the shocks but they don't seem to ride nearly as well as when I first got them, and I can't find a setting that I'm happy with. I also have Revo's on my Troop. So I'm wondering how I can tell if they are "worn out", and whether I could improve the on road ride by going to Bilsteins or something else?
My complaints about the ride are that its very jarring over small bumps on the road, and when I put the shocks on the 1 or 2 looser settings, the handling gets VERY sloppy. Speed bumps are a nightmare right now.
So, has anyone had the 9000's and changed them for something different?
thanks!
http://www.arbusa.com/Nitrocharger.htm
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I have put nearly 400K miles on three Troopers. I have put maybe 80K miles on Troopers with OME shocks and rear coil springs. OME Nitrocharger low pressure gas shocks including the firm ride version (I like the mid grade between comfort and expedition versions) have a soft ride over little bumps and firm control over larger bumps such as speed bumps. I also like the OME rear coil springs, but these add 1.5" height which is good for off road but not good for MPG or for grandma to climb in. The OME last the life of the Trooper as far as I can tell, no deterioration over the 80K miles I put on them. OME makes the Trooper much more fun to drive. I almost forgot, a plus for offroading is that the OME shocks are more durable and have longer stroke for max wheel travel to prevent loosing traction.
Both of my '99 Troopers were using about 1 quart every 500 miles. I've tried Sea Foam and a few other additives in both the oil and gas and checked the PVC system with no improvement. Then I tried CD2 Oil Detergent and my oil consumption improved to 1 quart per 1500 miles within 3000 miles from the time I added it and is still improving. I found it at WalMart and it was less than $3 a bottle. This stuff really works and I highly recommend anyone with oil consumption problems in their '98 or '99 Trooper try this first.
The suspension is a stock 2001. I may go for OME springs with a lift in the future, but for general use, the MONOMAX can't be beat in my opinion. Soft on abrupt hits but very well controlled on the whoop-dee-doos. They are softer than Bilsteins on a Trooper. $50 a piece online.
I am driving a 3.5L Auto with the TOD. It is a 2001 Sport with 51,000 miles, and I was the only one in it with probably 100lbs or so of cargo. I have the same Yokohama Geolanders that you are using (only about 6,000 miles on them), everything else is completely stock on my truck, no roof rack either. Almost 15 mpg on the highway just isn’t right, can’t be. Maybe it’s this oil vs. gas thing that was being brought up.
Boxtrooper I am going to try your experiment and see what happens, So what yearly fuel injector cleaner do you use? In the mean time where is this “CD2” for oil found and for how much? And there are a couple things that people mentioned they clean two being the EGR and PVC, what are the others . . . any of that work or suggested?
I appreciated all the help by the way.
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I also use Valvoline Synpower oil, the 5 qt. bottle of 10W30 at Walmart and an extra qt. of 5W30 (Walmart seems to always have only the 10W30 in the 5qt. and the 5W30 in the 1qt.). I top off the oil beyond the 5qt. to the full line on the dip stick and put the rest of the 1qt. bottle (or an extra 1qt.) in one of the back door pockets. I use Purolator Pure one oil filters. PL24459 larger size if I can find it, or PL14458 regular size oil filter.
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I do not think the synthetic oil is needed if not towing or otherwise driving the engine really hard really often. I used dyno oil for 201K on my 1984 Trooper and for 80K on my 1995 until I started towing. My 2001 Trooper has always had synthetic, Mobile1 until I bought it at 30K then Valvoline SynPower. I do think the synthetic will make the engine last longer, but more importantly, I think if the oil level went low for some reason, that the synthetic oil would prevent damage a little longer because of its higher temperature stability.
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I have not changed or looked at the EGR or PCV valves, but my mechanic (http://www.creechimport.com/) might be checking them when they do regular maintenance. Creech is a great mechanic and would know what to look for.
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Just a thought on transmission efficiency: Can the Trooper auto tranny be adjusted to shift more "crisply" and stay in "torque converter lockup mode" more of the time thereby making it behave more like the manual transmission? This might trade having to feel when it shifts for using less fuel. Did your automatic transmission ever shift to a lower gear going over the mountains? I was able to keep 5th gear all the way because of being up near 70 MPH.
The low charge on the A/C will cause a problem but so will an overcharge on the Freon. I made that mistake on my 99' and the pressure switch kept cutting the compressor off if the outside temperature was below about 88 F. As long as it was HOT outside it performed well, but not otherwise. The troubling thing is, you have the 01' Trooper and it has an electrical cooling fan that should improve the cooling efficiency of your A/C. My 01' will FREEZE you out after you've had it running 10-15 minutes. You might want to check that your compressor isn't switching on and off constantly now that you've re-charged your freon.
I vented some freon pressure off my 99' and corrected the problem and it cools much better than it was before. Not up to the standard of my 01' but much better than before.
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A note about used cars and Troopers, when I was looking to replace my totalled 1995 Trooper (rear ended by large Volvo, Volvo front end gone and the roof bent as if a tree had fallen on it, Trooper drove away, but airbags replacement would have been >$6000). Many of the used Troopers were fitted with assorted tires of the lowest quality imaginable, so, if your used Trooper has old or missmatched tires, have them looked at before spending a bunch on an alignment, maybe you can get a free alignment check.
www.lssolutions.demon.co.uk/Car/4wd.htm
So I removed the plate on the front axle and checked out the vacuum hoses. I was not getting vacuum through both sides. I figured out that if I reversed the vacuum I could get 4wd running. Actually, by reversing the vacuum I got 4wd Hi...full time, whether there was slippage or not, TOD button pressed or not.
I ordered replacement solenoids from St. Charles with 10% internet discount - $145. I should be putting them in next week. I hope this fixes the issue with my system. If not, at least it will make it so I can engage 4wd, if the transfer case needs work, well that is the next step.
I haven't actually tried yet to listen and see if my compressor is cutting in and out, I'll listen and get back to you. I do notice however that at higher speeds the air blows cooler and the hotter the days the air blows warmer. It is intermittent though. The cool air will blow out for 1 minute or maybe even 10, then you get a jump of warm air. It's very inconsistent. You mention an electrical cooling fan, should/how do I check that. And with the compressor switching on and off, if that is the case with mine, what do I need to do? Because it would definetely explain the inconsistency of the warm and cold air. My 01' does not freeze me out. Let me know how you vented some of the freon pressure and i'll try that on mine.
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MPH indicated with my 265/70 is 659/684 of what it was with 245/70, so when my speedo says 70mph the police radar says 70*684/659 = 72.65 MPH, so I drive with the speedo no more than 72 mph which means I am going 74.73mph when I an cruising long disatances.
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Maybe some people are posting really bad highway MPG because they drive 80mph+.
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If I was getting 14.5 mpg on the highway and less around town, I'd be trying to correct the problem or changing cars. Lots of low prices on used cars (including troopers) out there these days. I get 16.7mpg +/- 0.3mpg around town and 19.3 +/- .7 on the highway and my wife thinks I should get a small econobox car instead, I pointed out that her minivan gets no better around town and only few mpg on the highway and she lets me be OK with the MPG I am getting on my Trooper, but then she wants a little econobox car. What about the kids and being safer by surviving in car vs car collisions... Trooper has a good record of protecting my family and she likes her van's practicality, so we keep driving these 17/19mpg and 18/23mpg vehicles instead of spending big bucks for a silly whimpy hybrid. I am going to get a diesel Trooper when they become available in a few years. Diesel Troopers in the UK are called "Duty" and they get 31mpg on imperial gallons of diesel, that would be around 28mpg in USA gallons. Is everyone ready for the environmental activists to push driving a diesel to reduce CO2 pollution by 30%? This will happen after 2006 when low sulfur diesel is standard in the USA, diesels will be considered cleaner than gas engines! If Isuzu does not use its diesel experience and know how to compete in the USA after 2006, then I will believe that Isuzu is finished in the Trooper market. I think the SUV fad is passing and that those of us who like their Troopers for their large capable durable functionality will continue to drive Troopers while most other folks will go for a old fashioned regular low riding station wagon that they are now calling "CrossOver". Subaru is positioned great right now as awd station wagons called crossovers will be the top seller. Subaru has a diesel version of its boxer engine in development. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=105308
BEFORE you vent any freon, start the engine, run the A/C on Max in the heat of the day, and listen to the compressor. Is it cycling on and off every few minutes??
To vent it some, you'll need a freon manifold gauge and hose kit. Monitor the pressure at the suction connection going to the compressor. The fitting is up near the firewall in the engine compartment in front of the steering wheel. It sticks up on the tubing, very easy to access. Connect there and watch the pressure on the gauge, vent it slightly and listen to the compressor for cycling. It should run continously if its hot outside and you have the windows down so it can't shut off on temperature meeting setpoint.
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Isuzu Inside, Efficiency by Isuzu, Isuzu Power, Isuzu Diesel
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In the mid sized trucks Isuzu is known for the best fuel economy and lowest emissions and excellent durability, while also being available at an attractive price.
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How about the Isuzu Diesel Minivan hybrid that gets 45 MPG and does not idle at lights so the soccer moms don't her the diesel clatter?
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How about the Isuzu Diesel Trooper or other SUY with a frame and 5000lb. towing that gets 33 MPG even with the big tires?
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How about the Isuzu Diesel commuter compact car that is a mild hybrid so it does not have to idle at lights or in stop and go traffic and so it can take off quickly, but the efficent diesel gets 65+MPG on long commutes. (The current crop of hybrids in the USA are not suited to long drives, they are all about stop and go across town, their highway MPG is not that great)
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These are where Isuzu needs to get back into play and then bring out the new Troopers. hopefully Isuzu sees it this way too. Isuzu made some really nice cars that can come back now that GM no longer has the strangle hold on Isuzu.
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Maybe Isuzu and Toyota and Subaru and Suzuki will get together and buy what's left GM. http://www.isuzuperformance.com/isupage/
I don't expect to see it comeback, and with the dealership issues I have had, 3 closing on me, difficulties with repairs and coverage, I wouldn't buy another unless they came back with a unique, better than other vehicle (like the Trooper).
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When the Japanese buy GM they will inherrit a lot of dealerships. Maybe they can let GM continue to exist as just Cadillac.
I need to change an oxygen sensor and don't want to screw it up.
Thanks
No, it is not. There IS much better option avalable, trust me, look around syber space.
Dave