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I guess my bottom line is that if the plugs had only 10k miles on them then Champions aren't bad plugs it is just too soon to tell if they are great plugs. On the other hand if they had 40k miles on them I would conclude that the Champions are really good plugs. In any event they could easily go at least another 20k miles.
Before someone gives me too much grief for changing out good plugs I agree that had I know their condition beforehand I would not have changed them. Instead, I had already bought the replacement plugs, psyched myself for the job, rounded up the tools and set aside the maintenance time. When removing that first plug I noticed it was in a little too tight. That convinced me I had to check all the plugs to see if they were also in tight (they were). Being that I was already doing that much work it only seemed natural to install the new plugs. The old "in for a dime in for a dollar" approach. At least now all the plugs are new, properly torqued, have anti-sieze on the threads and dielectric grease on the top. In addition, I have a good set of spare plugs should the need arise.
On the rear door and vibration etc.. I believe this is quite common with Troopers at the higher speeds. I have experienced it on my 97' and 01' models as well. I think it might have something to do with the integral wind deflector that blows dust off the back window. Don't know of anything you can do about it. About adjusting the back door...there is an adjustment on the lower door opening plate where the two doors meet. That latch ring is adjustable. BUT, I thought it would be a good idea to make mine tighter back in the summer due to a little "non-tight" small creeking sound coming from that area. I adjusted it to close tighter, but only increased my problem. After a few days I compared it to another new Trooper for closing action and flex, as the door is shut. I adjusted mine looser to match the new one and the sound improved greatly. Soooo tighter isn't necessairly better. As you shut the door, it should flex about 1/4" or so. You got the same color as my wife. She is very proud of her's. It does look sharp when all cleaned up!! Happy Trooping !!;->
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I have on order the OME (Old Man Emu) Australian performance suspension upgrade kit (kit includes rear coil springs and all four shocks and poly bushings). This ugrade is rated to give 25mm lift. The front torsion bars can be cranked up to raise the front 25mm also. I don't plan to get huge tires, but I want the better controlled ride. It is on sale at http://www.overlander.com
As for the door rattle, there is an adjustment, and the dealer can check it out for you. Wind noise will generally be minimal, but you will hear it since its got the aerodynamics of a brick wall.
As for the search it sux on here. I have been lax in going through here and sumarizing up the posts for the FAQ page on http://isuzu-suvs.com
The champagne color ROCKS. That's what I have (see pics on isuzu-suvs.com) You don't need to wash it for like 6 months at a time and it still looks clean!
Tires: Most people go with 265-75-16s. I'm considering going with 275-70-16s. I'm pretty sure with just an OME rear springs and cranking the T-bars you can get 285-75-16s on there as well but not positive.
-mike
Pinging has to due with fuel, fuel delivery, and is usually only noticed during heavy acceleration or uphill, and can also have to do with the ECU.
Valve Tap has to do with the valves not opening and closing at the proper times, and usually has more to do with the oil system.
-mike
-mike
If it solves the problems you've had, then it's a good choice. I'm running 5W30 Mobil1 now and trying to figure out whether the engine noise I hear is valve lifter or spark knock. The Mobil1 has been in only since 3,000 miles ago so hopefully it and the Techron I dumped in the gas tank will resolve my problems.
Bsmart, how did they dissolve the excess varnish-- simply by dropping in Mobil1 0W30, or did they do something else?
-mike
I found it somewhat uncomfortable as far as front legroom and position of legs to pedals.
I'm 6'2" and can't believe a SUV that size has that little room up front. Maybe it't the seat mounted too high?
Anyone else had similar thoughts?
The salesman recommended a bodyshop that would remount the seat tracks farther back. I not sure about this???
-mike
People on here have successfully had body shops move the tracks back further to give you more room.
-mike
I've always found the Jackaroo interesting. How different is your Austrailian Jackaroo versus the USA Trooper? Also, what are the most popular accessories you Ausies put on your Jackaroo?
-mike
Happy Trooping.
I know I have a very intermittent valve tap on my '88 subaru XT6 that they have traced to bad oil seals on older subies. These seals would suck in an air bubble and it would manifest itself in the hydrolic lifters. I have this problem and it comes and goes, no rhyme or reason.
-mike
It's really not practical to expect to be able to extend your legs fully given the Trooper's very upright front seating position. The front seating area would need to be positively huge in order to achieve this.
Why don't some of you folks who have complained about inadequate legroom clarify exactly what bothers you and how you like to sit when in a vehicle. That may help us to understand why some 6+footers think there's plenty of room and some think it's way too tight.
bluedevils, I agree on the legroom issue, im 6' and while I do slide my seat all the way back, I've never felt cramped. As roomy as the Trooper is, there's still plenty of room in the back seat. paisan makes a good point about being able to raise the front and lower the rear of the seat, if you've got power seats. I've had cars with manual tilt and it would be nice but I've found that overall the seats in my 2000 S have been very comfortable to me.
In the meantime, I'm about ready to send in T3 for his next svc (approaching 13,650) and hope this one goes smoothly as I haven't seen my CE light in a while...*grin*...happy Troopin'...
-Cobbo
-mike
As for the Trooper - 7,300 miles and the only problem for warranty work is a non functioning driver side seat heater. The factory bug shield is fine - no noise. This vehicle had dealer installed after market leather (LS) and I have a feeling they messed up the wiring under the seat cushion. The upholstery shop will do the repair. Using 5-30 Mobil 1 since 5000 miles.. I enjoy driving the Trooper more than almost any vehicle I've owned. Still want to stick on some gas shocks - but upcoming holidays leaves little room for my wants. A tour through the dealers lot showed that they had sold a bunch of Troopers lately - salesman said he alone sold three in a week - big discounts plus 0%. Still 8-9 left in various configurations. 2002 Troopers have not shown up yet - but some are on their way.
The salesman mentioned that the Axiom is a bust - no third row seat - he sells all the Buick Rondevous he can get his hands on - got that extra seat. You can bet the next Trooper will have a factory third row. Be safe
-mike
-mike
-mike
I originally rented a '98 Trooper as a free upgrade on a rental car on a business trip, and I just fell in love with it. I was shocked that not only did my knees not hit the dash, but the top of my head didn't hit the roof either! (it's almost always one or the other) I didn't have to crouch -or- tilt the seat back funny to see traffic lights! Not to mention that I was impressed with the build quality, ruggedness and functional design, like we all are, blah blah blah
Now, someone with a particularly long inseam could have some trouble -- there's a 6'6" guy at work who's much more cramped in the Trooper in the leg department than I am. I'm real tall, but I'm not all legs, whereas if you've got a 36 or 38 inseam, that's probably the issue.
So, anyway, after getting Troopers (and specifically requesting them) when travelling, I decided that I wanted one of my own. For almost a year, though, I was dissuaded by the high sticker price listed on Isuzu's web site! As much as I loved the Trooper, I wasn't going to be able to put down over $30k on one.
Little did I know that they were going so cheap. After my old car started giving signs of an impending death, I decided to actually walk the lots, and was real surprised at how much Troopers were actually going for. I didn't get as good a deal as Gadkins, but I got my 2000 4WD S Moonmist Grey w/hitch, bug guard, all mats and the in-dash 6-disc for $22143 a year ago. Not a single problem since.
I dunno, but it seems like a lot of us got a heck of a lot of truck for not much cash. The Troopers have to be the best-kept secret of the auto industry.
I think the 98 Trooper manual from Helm is going for $90. Just wondering if that includes paper copy AND CD, or just paper.
Now, I'm just waiting to take it off road. I've never owned an SUV or any 4wd vehicle before, so there's gonna be a learning curve.
I'll let you all know if I run into any problems with this, but from all accounts these are strong vehicles, very reliable. Thanks for some of the info in this forum, it helped me decide on the Trooper as my SUV of choice.
-mike