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The Safari is the largest event of it's type in Australia. However, most of the fun comes from the stories that come out of it and the characters that make the Safari. It really is magic!
In '98, there was a "Round Australia Rally" (Jackaroos won 1st & 2nd without factory backing), 3rd was a stock Datsun 180B that came in ahead of new Toyota Land Cruisers, Ford Explorers (nicknamed Ford Exploders in Australia due to consistent electrical problems), Mitsubishi Pajeros and Subaru Imprezas. Just goes to show that anything is possible.
Any feelings from the group about the Westin step bars and Safari light bar? Bolt on installation or would I need to go to an accessories shop to have them put on?
MH
-mike
Parked next to me was a huge Ford Excursion that makes my Trooper look very tiny.
Marvel Mystery Oil has been around a long time in the USA. Claims to provide 'top cylinder' lubrication for improved performance and economy. There are other claims made by this company about the benefits of MMO. Some might call it 'snake oil', harkening back to the 'old days' of snake oil salesmen that had a cure for everything.
Seriously though, I'm interested to hear how your mpg comes out when not using MMO.
I sent the truck to another dealer and they found the problem. They said my car had leaking gaskets, which are common in both Rodeo and Trooper. They said there was a design flaw in 99 and older Isuzu. They installed the newly design gaskets (sure, it’s under warranty), and now the truck runs smoothly. (The dealer is BillStill Isuzu in Downers Grove IL, the repair and parts guys are pretty good.)
Mike: Thanks for you help.
-mike
I have a 2000 and haven't experienced this problem yet with it.
I'm wishing all my friends in the US, a good day today and hope all goes well. Let's keep in mind those who passed away a year ago and that these events aren't repeated.
-mike
Presumably the power train warranty would extend the coverage to 5 years for the 1999 models, unless of course you go over the mileage limit.
Related question...anyplace to get a do-it-yourself manual on the 1999 Trooper cheaper than the $150 version. I can't find one on Chilton's website.
I hate to go to a dealer for a problem like this!
Thanks
As for the turn signals, did you check the electrical boxes under the hood by the battery?
Hopefully they have improved the gasket material, I have heard conflicting reports on whether this has been done or not.
Just wanted to mention that, so folks know it's not a 1999-only problem.
I'm convinced the Trooper will last as long as the 165K I put on my 95 Infiniti. And I'm tired of looking up to everyone in traffic, and want something more substantial between me and all the other maniacs in Atlanta traffic. My father-in-law swears by the Trooper- and he's a "car guy". Question. Is $27,900 a good deal for a Limited? MSRP is 37+, but nobody actually pays MSRP, with incentives, holdback, the whole 9 to the dealer. Can you let me know if this sounds reasonable? I really appreciate feedback
OK I am done venting.
-mike
-mike
By the way, is that price for a 4WD or 2WD Limited?
He was a little un-nerved by all the hysterical parents picking their kids up from school. I was driving him to my daughter's school and he asked if any planes were going to crash in our town. I told him no, there were no airliners in the air anymore. Just then, as he's looking up through the sunroof (it was a beautiful day), an F-15 flying cover screams overhead at what I swear was tree-top level...
It took me a few minutes to convince him (okay, and myself) that they were the good guys.
He has no problems related to September 11. He does, however, have a model collection of every fighter and bomber made by Boeing or Lockheed Martin currently in service. They still occasionally fly cover when some numbnut from a local air park gets too close to the no-fly zone over Washington. He tells me if it's an F-15 or F-16, from the profile or the tail configuration.
And he still likes the sunroof in the Trooper. :0)
Bottom line, I think $28K is a heck of a deal!
If I had the pick the perfect tow vehicle I would pick the GMC or Chevy Duramax Diesel pickup with All Wheel Steering and a extra cab or crew cab even. This combination is not yet available. You can get it with an 8 cylinder 6L gas engine. The Hummer H2 would be good too if it had the Duramax. My wife would not let me get a big V8 pickup or SUV that gets only 9 city and 13 hwy MPG, the Duramax would get the MPG up high enough (my guess 15MPG towing the Mac26X, 16+ city 20+ hwy) to make her happy.
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I am very pleased with my present tow vehicle (11.2 MPG towing Mac26X 16-17 city 18-20hwy MPG). An Isuzu Trooper-S 1995 with 130K miles and going strong. The engine is 6cyl 175hp, I added http://www.directhits.com to get better towing performance. The Trooper has a very tight suspension in the rear, look under one and you can see the leverage that the extremely long control arms have. I also added (only $65 each, installs in an hour) progressive rate rear coil springs made by OldManEmu down in Austrailia where the Trooper is a Jackaroo and it is known for heavy duty off road use. Other than that and OME shocks my Trooper is stock. I have had no sway problems even when oncoming trucks pass cloase by. The 1995 Trooper weighs around 4250 lb. dry. I think the very well controlled suspension makes my Trooper tow better than much heavier vehicles with sloppy suspensions. The engine and manual transmission are very sturdy units and are ready to tow as is, no extra coolers etc.. And 1995 Troopers are probably available for less than $9000. If you want neww, this is a bargain year for Isuzu Troopers 2002 is the last year the Trooper will be offered in the USA. The closeouts are great deals $7000 to $9000 below MSRP (be sure to get the 4wd model to make getting up the ramp really easy and to make owning a Trooper that much more fun.). The 2002 Troopers have much more power than my 1995 and they have grade logic transmissions which means they will automatically downshift to maintain speed down hill. Isuzu Trooper is the best value available for towing the Mac26X. Troopers are very big inside (90.2 cubic feet) and can handle a third row seat for three or fold the seats and put in the 18.5 cubic foot refridgerator and still be able to close the doors. On the outside the Trooper takes about the same parking space as a Toyota Camry, small enough and very peppy for fun driving on the commute or to bring the kids and their friends to events. Trooper seats are the firm suportive type that feel good for long drives and keep you in control when driving agressively, they are not deep cushy "luxery" "sofa on wheels" seats My kids and their friends ask to ride in the Trooper when there is more than one vehicle to ride in. Even Consumer Reports the magazine proven in court to have lied intentionally calling their the Trooper -rollover publicity stunt a fair test will tell you that the Trooper is way ahead of every other similar sized SUV in reliability. Expect well over 200K miles with few probelms, not even rattles as long as you do the maintenance.
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Sorry to go on and on. The only thing wrong with the Trooper is that it is not American made (The factory in in Japan). But it is American to get the best quality for your money and that is the Trooper, expecailly this year.
-mike
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If the engine sounds smooth and idles smooth and there is good power on your test drive and the oil is clean and at the right level and no leaks the chances are you will have a good long life engine. Troopers do a good job cooling the engine which helps make it last.
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Next time it is due for timing belt get the timing belt tensioner and water pump changed with it.
Also, review the maintenance records to make sure all the services have been done per the owners manual (e.g. frequent oil changes, gear oils replaced, AT fluid flushed, timing belt replaced, etc.). These records should give you your best clue as to whether the vehicle might stay in good condition.
My opinion, FWIW, is that these vehicles can easily go 250k+mis. if properly maintained. However it they are ignored you can expect to see some major problems starting around 125kmis.
Lastly, don't be fooled by clean fresh oil in an otherwise bad engine.
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There was a plan for the GBX, but I think there was also a shortage of cash to build it. Meanwhile GM was out of ideas on what to replace their ancient mid size SUV with. GM that own enough of Isuzu to control it, and they diverted the design efforts of Isuzu to design the Chevy Trailblazer platform. That might have been OK if it turned out to be more Isuzu than GM, but GM made them design it the GM way. I expect the Ascender to be far more reliable than the previous GM mid size SUVs, but it will suffer from extreme volume production. What I mean by that is that there will be a staff of people who's job it is to cut the cost of production and that forces the vehicle to ride the edge of quality vs cost. I think it is what has made a lot of the big three cars fail on quality from time to time. When they get it right they can have both low cost and high quality, but there is always the big pressure of big volume to save another penny.
-mike
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
-mike
kevin: "Impolite spelling" such as in this case sets the wrong tone for newbies to the boards so we try to discourage it. First impressions also matter.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
As to your specific case, all things being equal I would go with the one with a new tranny. Unless of course the "new" tranny is just a used one with even more miles on it or you have reason to believe the work was done wrong.
As to power, it you are looking for a race car then the 3.2, or any Trooper, is not for you. If you are looking for a reasonably peppy SUV then the 3.2 fits that bill.
Do yourself a favor and go see these vehicles. Only you know what you like and armchair shopping can only tell you so much.