Isuzu Modifications/Aftermarket/Accessories

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  • keepontroopinkeepontroopin Member Posts: 297
    I too have a Yak rack and have bike and ski attachements for it. I even bought a Yak Rocket Box for it recently. I took a bunch of pictures of it the other day while on vacation in Hilton Head and will send them to Paisan to add to his photo gallery as soon as I get them developed and scanned. Should be a week or so! i'll post a message once I send them to Paisan and hopefully he will add them to his site. Up next is a set of 265 75R 16 tires. Should have those in a month or two. Have to have them before hunting season starts.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I think I'm gonna go with 275-70-16s for replacements on my truck, when the time comes.

    -mike
  • keepontroopinkeepontroopin Member Posts: 297
    Why 70 vs. 75s?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    the 70 profile gives it a lower profile than the 75, so a 275-70 would give you a wider contact patch while retaining a not-so high sidewall. Mostly for better on-road handling than off-roading.

    -mike
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I just got back from Nantucket. Everyday there was several hours of oversand travel. My new OME shocks were awesome. Not only soaking up bumps and dips, but on some trails where there were 20 minutes of continuous bouncing over ruts at under 5 MPH. Last year after 3 or 4 bumps in a row I would have to stop because I would begin to bottom out, no fade in the performance and kept the tires glued to the sand. Everyone commented on how smooth the ride was.

    I really only got one night to try out my new IPF 800 lights. They were good. It was extremely helpful going down the coastline at 4 in the morning trying to find good fishing spots. Though for one night I am not sure if it was worth the cost.

    In response to the rack question, I recommend Thule. I like the square bars over the round yakima bars.
  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    Just curious, after the installation of the OME shocks, have you noticed if the front end dive is eliminated during hard braking (panic stops)?
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I have noticed an improvement on pavement as well. Definitely the front end dive is much less. The truck also stays flatter in corners. I don't if it "safer", but the body roll, which is one of the causes of SUV rollovers in the switch-back testing by CR is much less. So when I cut left and then back right, there is much less movement of the body. But in a single corner, i.e. a long right hand turn, the body roll is less, but I imagine that you shouldn't corner any faster, even though it feels like you can.
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    I wouldn't say front end dive is eliminated, but it is improved. The ride is more controlled in all aspects.
  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    I'm still debating on the Sway-A-Way Torsion Bars. Part of me wants to try the bars w/stock shocks for a couple of weeks then do the OME shocks. It's almost $300.00 for the bars and installation, it might be $$ thrown away. Hey SAHARA111, if you still out there, give us a report on your rig. For those who don't know, Sahara111 did the whole package: t-bars ,OME shocks and springs.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    like the ranchos adjustability over the OMEs. Just cause I can really notice the difference when I crank em up or down, which translates to nice on-road and great off-road.

    -mike
  • duktrooperduktrooper Member Posts: 78
    I too have been extremely impressed with how the OME's absorb rough bumps. I recently was offroad with a multitude of Fords, Chevy's, Toyota's(all 4 by 4's) running through a field with an endless series of annoying ridges. While everyone else was going slow and easy over the ridges, I just skipped along the top of them with minimal body bounce. Everyone else was in my rear view mirror bouncing all over the place and hating their ride.

    I got the Yakima rack...a real sweet set up and a perfect fit for my canoe. Thanks for feedback.
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    IMO, the single biggest ride improvement you can do to a stock Trooper is change the shocks. OME, Rancho, Bilstein, whatever. Any good shock will be a vast improvement. I have been very happy with the OMEs.

    raydahs, I have just this week ordered the Sway-Aways for my Trooper, will let you all know how it goes.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Matt at independent4x.com can get the sway aways. He's a great little independent guy, totally dedicated to Isuzus. http://independent4x.com


    -mike

  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    sdc2 - thanks, looking forward to your report.
    Paisan - I'll check with Matt on his best prices. Also, when I'm done with the modifications to my truck, I would like to get some pics to you for your gallery, especially the "inside bike rack". However, I don't have access to a digital camera. I do have access to a scanner though, Is thier a preferred way to set up a file to add as an attachment so I can e-mail you? Sorry I'm a 3D CAD jockey, I don't even own a computer. I'm getting good at cut and paste though. lol
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    JPG, GIF either way is good. Just send it as an attachment and I'll put it up on the gallery.

    :)

    -mike
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    Next year I am thinking about adding OME springs to the rear of my truck. With a roof rack fully loaded, rear fully loaded and 5 people, I was pushing the 980 lbs. capacity. I think I had 800 lbs. of people. I easily had more than 180 lbs of gear. We were resting on the rear suspension stops, the front was only a 1/4" down.

    I was wondering if there was anyway to approximate how much load capacity would be increased by beefing up the suspension? Does adding a stronger sway bar increase carrying capacity or only effect on-road handling?
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    Swaybars will NOT increase load capacity. Their only function is to control body roll in turns. As Car & Driver notes, they more properly should be called "anti-roll" bars.

    I recently had my camper on the hitch, with equipment, 1 passenger + dog, and a load of firewood in back, and the rear didn't sag much at all. The OME coils handled the load with ease. I recommend them highly, if you don't mind the 1.5" increase in ride height (which will make you want to get bigger tires, too...and so it goes). Otherwise, you could get custom springs with a similar rate to the OMEs.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I too have had good luck with them. I had about 500-800lbs of cargo + 5200lb trailer that had a tounge weight of about 1000+lbs and the OMEs didn't even rest on the bump stops. It did go way way down in the back but not the stops. Normally my OMEs ride about 1/2" higher than a completely stock trooper. I think my toolbox, hitch, and other equipment that I normally carry force the back to 1/2"-1" over stock with the OMEs.

    Bigger anti-sway bars will not help load capacity, but will lessen body roll with the increased weight.

    -mike
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    of 1,000 pounds? That seems high...the tongue weight on my camper is only 120 pounds.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Yeah thanks to U-haul's great car-carrier the tounge weight was around 1000lbs. My 2900lb car had 90% of it's weight in front of the trailer axles, so I was guessing that the tounge weight was around 1000lbs.

    -mike
  • radman6radman6 Member Posts: 81
    If anyone's looking for a Yakima roof top storage box (ROcket Box) check out REI. They just sent out a sale flyer to members announcing 20% off on Yakima storage boxes. www.rei.com
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I know we have gone over this before, but I think I am ready to purchase one. Has anyone purchased an aftermarket in-dash cd changer that they like and can recommend? I am looking for something that won't skip, period, and will play cd-r well. I have really only seen a few, pioneer cdx-pd6 being one, but I am not sure of its sts (sure track system). I would like something that has 10-15 second memory buffer. Trying to enjoy a long afternoon drive over the sand dunes when a cd skips is no fun.
  • duktrooperduktrooper Member Posts: 78
    I'm ready to add a pair of 6" round driving lights on top of my ECB nudge bar. Am leaning towards the IPF's for looks and performance reason but they're 3X more than Hella 500's. Hard to justify but maybe they're that good...dunno!

    Has anyone done any comparisons or have experience among the 3 brands above in terms of light beam performance, housing quality, ease of install etc.? Also, what about best headlamp replacement bulbs for greater visibility? Thanks.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I have 80/100w 9004 Hella bulbs in my trooper + 100w Hella H3 bulbs in the stock fog lights.

    I added Hella 4000 Eurobeam Driving lights with city light to my ECB bar. I love em. They provide so much light, and the reflector technology is very advanced. I think the Hella 4000s with wiring harness was $285 for the pair.

    -mike
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I have IPF 800 rectangular lights ($175 from rocky-road.com). They are 130W and pretty good. These are offroad lights however, extremely bright and powerful, but if you are expecting to light up the horizon, you will be disappointed. If you are expecting to light up the 100 yards ahead of you on the trail for offroading, they are great. Obstacles that you would normally not see on the trail are well lit up, and makes night offroading much better. They also penetrate fog well.

    Mine are new, and I have only used them off-road at night a few times, but was happy with the performance. I noticed after a rain storm, and the lights were off, that they had fogged up. When I turned them back on, the fog burned off (as a matter of fact they are hot when you stand in front of them), but I was a little concerned that water vapor had been able to get inside and cause them to fog up. I need to email ARB and ask them about it.

    What is the legal limit for on road use? I didn't think 80/100 bulbs were street legal?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    The 80/100w lights in the trooper housing aren't much better than the stock ones. The reflectors just plain suck. I have my Hella 4000 driving lights wired into my high-beam switch, so that when I hit the highbeams, the 130w Hella 4000s come on. They are very useful on the mountain roads upstate NY. I travel these roads at 65-75mph, and at night they give me much needed horizon lighting that was lacking in the stock lights.

    -mike
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    your legal ease paisan. I agree with the reflectors comment too.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I did research the housings for the H-4 bulbs which are multi-reflector type, but they are like $350/each from NZ/AUS. Basically my lights aren't bright enough on low-beam to send the cops my way, and the high beams are only on when there isn't any traffic :)

    The Flash to pass is great with the 130w Hellas coming on with the high beams :) "This is GOD, move over!"

    -mike
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I find that when I put the 130 IPF's on that my eyes get so adjusted to the super bright white light, that when I switch back to my regular low/high combo the lights barely seem like they are on, they look brown and dingy.

    I had upgraded my stock bulbs with Sylvania XV's which were an improvement, but they replaced my headlights too after that little swim I took.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    wow, replaced your headlights after the swim. That's cool. I've gotten some more info for where to start our trip for Sept 15th. Should be pretty cool.

    -mike
  • bluedevilsbluedevils Member Posts: 2,554
    Our 98 Trooper has pushed beyond 50k miles, and it's about time to replace the original Bridgestone Dueler 684s. I know tires have been discussed in the past but I'd like recommendations based on my specific situation...

    The vehicle stays in lower Michigan 99% of the time and does not go off-road. Plan to replace with factory size (245/70/16) or possibly 255/70/16. We have plenty of snow, but it's not like a northern Minnesota winter. Important to me, in priority order: durability/longevity, bad-weather handling (rain and snow), noise. Not important: looks, brand cachet, off-road ability.

    Feedback is appreciated.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I've heard good things about the P-Scorpion ATs.


    Maybe go for the 275-70-16s. Thats what I'm shooting for for myself. For longevity I think the best lasting are Michelins, IMHO, but you pay out the butt for em.

     Check out http://tirerack.com and punch up the size you want, that will give you a good idea of whats out there.


    -mike

  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    We will have to find time to do some night wheelin' too. I would like to get an opportunity to use the lights I put on. Most of the time the Trooper sits in the driveway or goes back and forth to the super market.

    I am interested in getting a power outlet in the rear of the vehicle, is there a preset spot for AC outlets/or any power outlet in the rear of the vehicle that is offered outside of the USA? I imagine there is and it would probably require a $5 part and a fuse.
  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    Mike has everything: http://isuzu-suvs.com/howto/trooperRearoutlet.html
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    is the official indexer! (I forgot that was even on there!)

    :)

    -mike
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    I put on the Toyo Open Country ATs in the stock size. Same speed and temp specs as the duelers, better traction spec (traction A on the Toyos vs traction B on the dueler) likely better treadwear (400), and deeper tread groove design.
    http://www.toyo.com/tires/tire_lines/lt_truck/opat.html

    I like the way they feel on the trooper. They tend to steer back straight more readily than the duelers when in a turn. White letters out look nice and the more aggressive tread should be great in the snow.
  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    WAY too much time on my hands, gotta love this place!
  • bluedevilsbluedevils Member Posts: 2,554
    Mike, do you think this would work? 30mm difference (more than 1 inch) seems like a lot. I think guys have mentioned that the 255 size works on the factory rims. 275 would be pushing it, IMO.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    size all the time. I don't see how it would be that bad. I run 205-60-14s on my 5.5inch wide rims on my sports car.

    They may buldge a bit, but should still be fine. I think pirelli states a 7" rim as the min rim width for the 275s.

    -mike
  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    http://isuzu-suvs.com/gallery/bigswede.html
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    If the sidewalls bulge a little, it actually protects your nice aluminum rims off-road...and when you parallel park, too!

    My 265s fit just fine on the stock rims, 16x7 I think.
  • duktrooperduktrooper Member Posts: 78
    The 265/75/16's aren't a problem on or off road and they sure add a whole lot more grip. I'm on my second pair of Pirelli Scorpion's(put first pair on my last 97 Trooper) and they perform excellent on wet road and in moderate mud. They are hard to beat for the money.

    Thanks to all for the light input.
  • troop2shostroop2shos Member Posts: 235
    Just thought I'd make my 1st post to this list.
    I'm a recent owner of a 2000 Trooper LTD - finally talked my AWA into getting rid of our (her) '88 EB Aerostar that had a lot of trailer tow miles on it (also own 2 SHO's).
    Anyway, with regards to tire size to proper rim width, if you push the tire size limits of the rim, the sidewalls will not be fully supported. Hard surface / on-pavement performance could suffer for a number of factors (if this is a priority):
    - may not get the full contact patch to the road surface w/ the sidewalls being pinched by a too narrow rim
    - tendency for more sidewall roll-over & tread squirm due to lack of rim support
    - could lose not only steering precision & feel, but turn-in response & stability as well
    - steering feel could become much lighter, IMHO & experience.
    The "bulge" will offer some rim protection, however...... :)
    FWIW, I appreciate the list info in helping me decide on my wise Trooper purchase for function & utility.......if only I could have convinced my AWA to continue up the Alpine Loop from Lake City a few weeks ago......
    Regards,
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Glad to see you on here. Be sure to check out http://isuzu-suvs.com


    -mike

  • mhiggins2000mhiggins2000 Member Posts: 17
    I put Michelin LTX M/S on my '95 and couldn't be happier. My truck spends most of the year on the road (in CA) but makes 5 - 10 trips to Tahoe every year, sometime in pretty heavy snow. The Michelins are wearing extremely well, are quiet, great on the highway. They are pricy, I found mine on sale for just under a $100 apiece, they are great.
  • ilitilit Member Posts: 71
    FYI:


    http://www.rancho.cc/

  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    On the 21st. you were interested in a "in dash CD player" check this out
    http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=594628107
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    Thanks. There is 3 more days of bidding so I will see how high it goes. I was looking to get away from the factory model for skipping and performance reasons, but if it trades at $100 bucks it might be worth it.
  • keepontroopinkeepontroopin Member Posts: 297
    I bought the 6 disc factory changer from Sue who used to comment on this site and have never had it skip. I am extremely pleased with the unit.

    If you are out there....Hi Sue aka Crunchy.
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    I know this has been talked about before; does the 5.5 inch Polk EX502A fit the rear cutout of the trooper?
This discussion has been closed.

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