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http://www.4x4mountainsport.com/
-mike
What kind of tires will they take?
What about headers/exhaust?
Anyone put a performance chip in theirs?
Do any (all?) of these apply for a 1997 model?
Try scrolling back through earlier posts on this wire for answers to some of your questions. Also, try www.4x4wire.com.
If I can pick up a used Trooper, make a few modifications, and get a decent vehicle, with good power, etc, all in one shot for not a lot of money, so be it.
I have not heard of anyone dyno testing Trooper upgrades, so any claims of performance increases may be minimal if non-existant. That being said, here is my bang-for-the buck list:
1. K&N filter.
2. Cold air intake mods. May do nothing because of limited flow on the rest of the intake side (i.e. throttle body, MAF sensor etc.)
3. Axiom ECU ???
4. Custom mandrel-bent cat-back performance muffler.
-mike
I think the last I saw of them, Isuzu was one of their best gaining applications.
(Maybe Isuzu bought the chip from them for the Axiom?)
Does the Axiom take premium unleaded? Trooper? That might make a diffence right there.
I tested the Trooper on 93octane for 1000miles (at about 10K miles on the truck) and it provided no additional milage and no acceleration gains or power gains on the butt dyno.
-mike
"Isuzu Amigo, Rodeo and Trooper:
Reprogramming these vehicles requires more gas at full throttle and radically tuned part throttle timing changes to get the best performance, and it worked -- by a big margin! as you can see by the chart the peak HP at the wheels rose significantly. The horsepower rose by 10% and the torque increased by 13% throughout the power band and made them really pull at the bottom end & did not run out of breath at 3000 RPM as they seem to when stock.
The difference is quite extraordinary and these are probably one of the most effective conversions we have done. The overall gas mileage does not change and the normal running characteristics of the engine are as normal. There is no down side to the conversion and we do not expect the life of the vehicle to change significantly."
They don't list one for the 3.5L, and I'm not sure if the listed gains are applicable to all of the other Isuzu engines (and also the 2.8L made by GM) equally.
Also, unless you have the old GM V6 you have to send your ECU to Superchips for the conversion because they have to unsolder the old chip to replace it.
Even if the mpg rose from 16 average to 17 average per gallon, one would come out about even in cost on going to 89 octane from 87 octane. It should also be better for the engine, I would think. I was going to give that a try.
-mike
Bottom line is, use the octane recommended by the manufacturer.
Heck, some manufacturers recommend AGAINST higher than recommended octane, because it can lead to increased carbon deposits in the combustion chamber, which will actually cause more pinging! This has been a particular problem with the Chevy 4.3 V6, for example. The natural reaction when you hear pinging is to go to higher octane, which just aggravates the vicous cycle.
I just hate to see people throw away money on higher octane. I'll get off my soapbox now.
You are right in that if it is not pinging, why bother? However, if you can advance the spark (causing pinging with lower octane), then higher octane has a benefit. You can either manually advance (older cars) or electronically (newer cars).
That is part of what the computer chips do.
As I recall, on the old carb engines, fine tuning the timing to just above the knock was the best.
My decision is pretty much narrowed down to getting a Trooper or keeping the Cherokee. The Cherokee is a little small and is starting to look pretty ratty on the outside. On the other hand it's got a great 4WD system, strong engine, and handles well on the road. The main benefits I see in the Trooper are space, reliability, and looks. I don't like many of the other SUVs out there, and I want something with the heart of a truck and not a car. Nothing else except the Trooper strikes me as much of an upgrade for a reasonable cost.
Any comments or info would be appreciated. Thanks!
-mike
200' long driveway
40 degree angle
1.5'-2' of snow, 3.5' snow bank at the bottom.
Bone Stock Trooper (including tires)
Made it up this driveway spinning a bit. The best part of TOD is that it is usable in all conditions, and when the going gets rough, it will put 50/50 split, then 0/100, then 50/50 cyling through giving the front wheels a chance to grip the surface.
-mike
sasquatch 2000 - You are correct that ignition is the key issue, when I mentioned carbuerated engines I was referring obliquely to the tuning and timing for those engines, not so much that the carbuerator itself is the reason for higher octane. Sometimes I get weary of typing and don't add enough background info to my posts.
I am looking for some used Troopers. Can you post the name of the dealer and the phone number? I am in NY so it is not that for away to get a good deal.
Thanks,
Con
Cheers,
Con
-mike
I was reading a few posts back and noticed a couple of you have bought the Lund Interceptor. Does someone have a picture of one on a 98+ Trooper? My neighbor wants one and wants to see what it looks like first. If you have the Lund part number too, that would be great. Thanks.
Regards,
Con
Thanks
-mike
Also, sometimes the noise is turbulence induced by the deflector hitting the windshield.
Figure you guys will know this one. Did the 98/99 SLX come with the power folding mirrors like the Trooper(LS/Limited) does? I have found a couple which are around the same price as the trooper so I want to look at them as well. It appears the only other changes/dif. are that it was only available with the single Disk CD player and the wheels are different(no hard cover spare too). I don't like the Wheels on the SLX but the price is right and wheels can be changed later down the line. Thanks.
Regards,
Con
-mike
I actually got the info on Acura.com and it was there. As in my post before, I think I might go for the 99 Lux. if it is still available. I started the Autobytel request so we will see....Maybe a Isuzu owner(second Isuzu BTW) again by Saturday!
It is invisible unless you are right up next to the vehicle, and of course doesn't cause any extra wind noise. Mine has been on for over a year now, with no deterioration evident.
It is NOT a DIY project, unfortunately. I paid about $100 to have it put on my Trooper.
-mike
Try this place I found:
http://www.xpel.com/paint/scotchal.html
It looks like they offer a precut kit:
http://www.xpel.com/paint/isuzu.html
I can't vouch for installation of the kit, mine was done custom.
Visor on my 00 Trooper. Install was easy, but now I am getting a loud cracking
noise at moderate to high speeds that is very annoying. Has anyone else
experienced this or does anyone have any suggestions?
I have the same shield on a 1999 with no problems. However, I did chase noise problems on another vehicle many years ago so I took some precautions when installing this one, namely -
I installed the shield as far as possible from the hood to prevent the unit from slapping it.
To prevent cracking of the shield at the screw-in attachment points (years down the road based upon the other application) I used large metal washers and rubber washers against the shield. I then cranked down the screws fairly tightly to keep the unit from vibrating loose.
As if the above isn't enough overkill, I took and old inner tube and cut out several 1" by 5"strips. I then laid these in lengthwise right where the unit meets/touches the hood at the bottom wrap around points.
Lastly as long as your are asking for suggestions, take some old towels and cram them in between the unit and the hood. Then go out for a test drive. If you get the some noises I doubt your problem is the guard vibrating/hitting the hood.
Good luck.
Most of the stuff in your previous post (#366?) indicates you've already done a good amount of research. You don't sound convinced of TOD's benefits. I think it's great to have the convenience of what's basically an AWD setup. It provides more peace of mind than did the shift-on-the-fly 4WD of our 96 Trooper, since the SOTF can't be left on all the time.
I'd avoid the 94 Trooper because it doesn't have dual front airbags. I don't remember if these became standard on 95 or 96.
There are actually several different versions of the 3.2L 6-cylinder in the Trooper from 92-97; it's slightly more complex than you stated in your post but I can't explain it all off the top of my head. Paisan is actually incorrect on the 97 Trooper's 3.2L engine: the 3.2L never made more than 190hp in the Trooper, even though it generates 205hp in some Rodeo vehicles.
Not only does the 3.5L have 215hp vs. 175-190 for the 3.2L, but it provides 230 ft-lbs torque vs. 188.
Strangely, the fuel economy was about 0.8-1.0 mpg better in the 96 even though the 98 is rated 1 mpg better, both city and highway.
Both my 96 and my 98 are/were 4-speed automatics, by the way.
Good luck on your search. I am currently searching myself. There are a couple factors I would look at for the answer. First one is Cost: Ins. Cost which might give you the answer you need as 2wd are always cheaper to ins. plus you save $1500-2000 on the truck purchase as well. Second is location, for example, I am in NY so I want the 4x4 cause of the weather(plus want to offroad and beach fishing as well). But when I lived in FL, every SUV I saw was 2wd so if you are using it as a daily driver a 2wd is good enough. Resale value is better for a 4wd(not by much though). If the peace of mind of being able to use the TOD on the street in rain and snow, might swing you that way too(Not that many SUV allow you to use 4x4 on the street BTW). I have been looking as used Troopers and I have not come across a 2wd model yet so they are not widely available in the Northeast(Southern states might be the different). I remember last year one of the mags did a report on the 2wd trooper and it was no different than a 4wd they said(plus no savings in MPG too). Since you are looking at a Limited, for higher resale value, get the 4wd. But if you plan on keeping it, the cheapest overall cost for ins., truck price, and maint. is the 2wd. One way to decide to get 2wd or 4wd is to see how many of each the dealer has. If they sell more 2wd, than a safe bet is to go that way or if they sell more 4wd, then go that way. Good Luck.
Cheers,
Con
By the way, a local Detroit dealer advertised a 2000 LS with moonroof (don't know 2WD or TOD) with 14k miles for $19,995. If you find something in my area, I'd be happy to pick you up from the airport...
http://www.carbuyers.com/ct/torringtonhyundai.cfm?TheDealer=538#Listings
There is a 2000 there now. Don't have any details though.
Visor on my 00 Trooper. Install was easy, but now I am getting a loud cracking
noise at moderate to high speeds that is very annoying. Has anyone else
experienced this or does anyone have any suggestions?
I have the same shield on a 1999 with no problems. However, I did chase noise problems on another vehicle many years ago so I took some precautions when installing this one, namely -
I installed the shield as far as possible from the hood to prevent the unit from slapping it.
To prevent cracking of the shield at the screw-in attachment points (years down the road based upon the other application) I used large metal washers and rubber washers against the shield. I then cranked down the screws fairly tightly to keep the unit from vibrating loose.
As if the above isn't enough overkill, I took and old inner tube and cut out several 1" by 5"strips. I then laid these in lengthwise right where the unit meets/touches the hood at the bottom wrap around points.
Lastly as long as your are asking for suggestions, take some old towels and cram them in between the unit and the hood. Then go out for a test drive. If you get the some noises I doubt your problem is the guard vibrating/hitting the hood.
Good luck.
-mike
'92-'95 Trooper came with a 3.2l SOHC and optional 3.2l DOHC the DOHC being 190hp
'96-'97 Trooper came only with 3.2l SOHC putting out 190hp
'98-present Trooper only came with 3.5L DOHC putting out 215hp
I think that the fact that the '92-'97 body style was nearly identical, I assumed the ones with the DOHC badge were the '96-'97 not the '92-'95
-mike
I like the idea of a bug deflector, but not if that damn snapping noise is going to keep me awake when I'm behind the wheel