seems this should be a warranty thing. If the rotors are 'pulsing' they are probably warped. They should be replace under warranty up to 36000 miles. I believe everything is covered 3yr or 36K miles. Dealer replaced my 88' Trooper rotors for the same reason, no charge several years ago. Don't let em' blow by you on that. I doubt the pads will need to be replaced. These pads are very durable and long lasting.
I'm reluctant to bring my Troop to the dealer for this item, but I'm not getting around to cleaning it myself. Is it something a competent repair shop (not Isuzu) could do?
$1500 is way too much. I got all 4 done for about $500 including repacking the hubs. Which I still deem a ripoff. Next time I will take it to an independent shop. I would also get them inspected elsewhere, my dealer said mine needed replacing at 31K and I went with it. Most people posted much higher mileage here. I would get it double checked.
I test drove a couple of Troopers yesterday and a 2001 model had a wheel which allowed me to adjust the angle of the seat cushion. It made the truck much more comfortable for me. I can't remember if my 99 had this or not. Anyone know what years/models this was availble on?
In 1998, and I believe 1999 was the same, the Performance Package included the extra driver's seat adjustments. Base S Troopers did not have it. Our 1998 Trooper has this adjustment wheel. We never use it. I believe our seat cushion is angled up higher than the parallel to floor position.
My 98/Performance has it, and I find it invaluable. I can't stand sitting in the passenger seat; I feel like I'm falling forward. Being able to adjust the angle of the seat bottom so I get more support forward is a very important feature. I first drove a Trooper without it and almost walked away.
In fact, if I could find a way to pitch the passenger seat up in the front, I'd do it. My wife has the same "falling off the seat" feeling.
I have the same annoyance with my 2002 Trooper. On first start of the day, idle speed is around 1800. Shift into reverse, engine revs up for a second and then idle drops down.
Also, have found that * sometimes * when I stop and then lift my foot off the brake, hear/feel strange sound, like the brakes are sticking - but am not sure. I only have 22k on my Trooper.
That falling forward feeling is exactly what I experiences in a 99 yesterday (which did not have cushion adjusters). I think its a crucial feature, too - at least for me (6', 200lbs.) So, basically, to get that I need either a higher level 98-99 or a 2000-2002. I also want to have that wonderful sunroof again so that pretty much eliminates the base models anyway.
I did some more research in my spare time, just for fun (I find it relaxing) and came up with this based on comments (from owners) that I've read on various web sites. The summary info. will be up soon at: http://wwww.motorcycletours.com/mctours/trooper.htm
Is cleaning the EGR valve enough to reduce the oil consumption problem?
I have a 99 Performance Trooper and the first thing I did on getting it home was to change the angle of the passenger seat. My wife couldn't stand it being so flat and neither could I.
There are two bolts at the base of the passenger seat which holds it to the floor. I made 2 spacer bars about 3-6" long and about 1" wide(I forget exactly) and used my drill press to drill holes for the two attaching bolts in each bar. This small spacer bar will raise the seat to whatever height you need. I first set the driver seat to a comfortable height, then used the driver seat measurements to set the height of the passenger seat. This modification has made a big difference. Of course the spacer bar has to be thick and strong enough to hold the seat firmly in case of an accident. Don't try this modification if you are not handy with tools and have no clue about what you are doing. It might help to check with an expert.
I went out hunting in far country area last year. On my way back home I was looking for 92 or 95 octane for my 3,5. Unfortunately, 80 octane was available only at the sole ancient station. Then I filled 45 liters (~12 US gallons) making the tank full. Nothing changed, the trooper was running fine. I really believe the gasoline troopers sneeze at fuel they eat. I wish my diesel will be the same, but this is the dreams only.
I've used the cheapest 87 octane gasoline over 65k miles - good performance, no spark knock, etc.
BTW, some think that name-brand gasoline is better than the El-Cheapo brands - there was a program on TV that all gasoline with the same octane is the same.
I test drove the 1998 Trooper and did a better inspection. They had cleaned the engine and there was no evidence of oil on one of the spark plugs. This Trooper drove good. It had 98k miles on it and I was pleased at the way it drove as it gave me confidence that my 65k miles Trooper will be fine and strong well past 100k miles.
On to the purchase, this 1998 Trooper appears to have no rust but appears that it might have been 'bumped' in the front as the front bumper cover seems poorly fitted, the fog lights not set in the cover properly, and some very minor peeling paint. In fact, it appears that the front cover is badly misaligned or perhaps pushed inward about an inch - I note this because of the way the bumper cover aligns with the fender flares. In addition, I note that when I press in on both front fenders that they tend to give in more than on my undamaged 1999 Trooper. Perhaps this is something that can be corrected inexpensively??????
This poorly done frontal repair along with that the CD player is missing showing a hole in dash and a lot of scratches on the tire cover makes me want to rate this Trooper only GOOD instead of EXCELLENT for valuation in Kelley Blue Book. The rest of the body is visually excellent with glossy near perfect paint.
The engine has been cleaned and the serpentine belt looks good - so it must have been replaced. There are no service records so I don't know what has been serviced on this Trooper.
The following are the negatives about this 1998 Trooper:
- mismatched tires all are 245's but the 2 front match, but the rear have another two brands.
- brakes work but parking brake handle does not pull up like on my 1999
- no floor mats nor cargo roll up cover
- CD player missing
- no wheel lock, no remote controls
- windshield has a minor chip like a rock hit it
- no service history
Kelly Blue Book with Good rating has the Trade-In value at $4,675.
Edmunds has Tradein=$4,310, Private Party=$5,585, Dealer Retail=$7,050.
The asking price for this 1998 Luxury Trooper is $7,900 and they said they will take less. Its at a dealership and they want me to make an opening offer. Should I go fer it or skip it? If I should go for it, what opening offer?
Another question, how does one verify that the TOD and the 4wd mechanism works? I remember years ago putting my purchase of a used 1989 Trooper on a rack and observing all wheels turning turn out to be a false indication as that 1989 Trooper would not go in 4wd when I used it on snow.
I know my 1999 Trooper when I select TOD, there is a subtle steering tightness but is this a sure-fire way. Its summertime here and I don't think the dealership will be happy if I take it too a muddy field.
I think the engine computer learns the octane you choose to use. With higher octane the engine computer can set the spark a little more advanced which can provide quicker response and a little more power. .. I have had once in a long time experience with pinging under just certian conditions like coming off from heavy acceleration up a hill pulling a trailer. I had to listen close to hear it. When this happens I put in a bottle of the fuel injector cleaner. I use the Valvoline brand and the type that calls for once in 12000 miles use. This seems to help, but it is not a significant problem. .. If I were more concerned about lowest possible operating cost I would use the 87 Octane too. .. I don't want the pistons slapped around like the are when pinging happens, I am concerned about getting maximum miles (goal: > 300000) on the Trooper, so for me a little higher octane and a close ear for pinging is part of longevity.
lately my temp gauge creeps up on long highway drives. changes very slowly--sometimes have to stare at it to notice the change. but eventually it crawls up to about "1 or 2 o'clock" (normal is around 11:00). had A/C on so i turned it off and it went down. gave it gas to get up a hill, and it creeped up. downhill, went back down.
plenty of coolant in radiator. (overflow tank is about halfway btwn MIN and MAX)
have i got a problem or is this normal temperature regulation by the controls?
[oil pressure and battery guages fluctuate alot, w/in a certain range. which took me awhile to get used to but i've learned is quite normal.]
I had the opportunity to test drive a 2001 Trooper S for several hours today and liked it very much overall. I was, however, very uncomfortable in the drivers seat even though this model had an adjustment wheel for the seat cushion angle. My wife, who likes Troopers, felt the same way. The seatback was too flat and had almost no lumbar support. So...my million dollar question is...do the leather power seats in the Limited models have an adjustable lumbar support? Are they shaped differently? Are they much more comfortable? I do a lot of long distance driving so this is an important issue for me. Thanks in advance for any replies.
1984 Trooper-II 5-speed 4x4 201K miles $11K new price, $12K in gas to go 201K miles, sold because of rust and desire to get air conditoining. 1/2 qt oil/1000 miles at 30K miles up to 1.25qt oil every 1000 miles at 201K, no engine problems ever. 1.9L around 80hp. .. 1995 Trooper-S 5-speed 4x4 $22K new, sold to salvage even though it still operated fine after being rear ended so hard the $6000+ per use air bags went off (Volvo that rear ended me looked like a tree fell on the roof, back of Trooper slight wrinkle thanks to hitch - Trooper crumple zones are in the other car!). Occational ticking, no oil use, ticking remedied every time with clean oil. .. 2001 Trooper 5-speed $13.8K used with 30K miles on it. Well taken care of by previous owner. 1st time I have limited slip rear diff and it make a big difference on snow. No oil use, 21mpg if I can keep it down to 65-70 mph. 16-17mpg around town typically 340 miles on 19.5 gallons. I have 255/70/16 revo tires saved from the 1995.
Long time no chat. Do you find the seats in your LS to be comfortable? Is there an adjustable lumbar support? What adjustments are on the drivers and passengers seats?
We never did meet up in the Adirondacks for a drive. Maybe this spring?
On the LS the driver's side has built in lumbar support, but it's not adjustable. The controls move the seat back<->forth, up<->down, angle of back, on the passenger side the controls are only back-forth and angle of back.
The power seats in the Limited of my '00 are the same as in the LS as Mike stated, except for the leather. The lumbar support is built-in & I find the seats to be comfortable despite the lack of adjustment (having lumbar control has been one of my major requirements for car purchase since the early '80's except for the Troop.). Also, the seats are on the firm side but are comfortable for long distance driving - arm rests could use more padding though.
On shocks, I went with the Rancho 9000RS adjustables over the Bilsteins for the Trooper to eliminate the harsh edge my wife doesn't like when installed on previous vehicles. Towing was another factor in my purchase of Rancho's.
21mpg - I'm jealous. I drive my 1999 4wd AT Trooper pretty easy and the best I've ever gotten was around 18. Boxtrooper had a manual trany, and Silverghost a 2wd.
Welp, I made a offer of $6k for that 1998 Trooper Luxury that my soon to be 16 year old son wanted in a bad way. We agreed on a final sales price of $6,250. I think I have a good deal at this price. I bring a check and pick it up tomorrow and then surprise my son - he doesn't know I agreed to buy it.
Questions:
1) If I give them a check, should I expect the Title at the same time?
2) Today I cranked the Trooper and let it run about 5 minutes and then checked the oil. It was just below the ADD mark. Should oil be checked with the engine warm or cold? I know some of these 3.5L V6's burn a little oil but this one doesn't show any visible smoke. Opinions?
I appreciate all the advice you Trooper experts have provided me and someday we might have my son joining in the crowd. Knowing him, he's gonna want to join in at Uhawarie :-)
That is the way I usually do it. I think stopped and cold is OK too. Level ground is essential for a good reading. Let the engine be stopped at least 5 minutes for a good measurement since all the oil in the engine must drain back to the oil pan to measure accurately. .. Some Troopers use oil at 1qt/1000 miles or so, so if you find a low oil reading it might indicate that the engine is an oil burner. Oil burning is not a big deal for the engine, but you must keep checking the oil levelfor the rest of its life.
I test drove a 1999 Acura SLX today that I really liked. It has some scratches here and there and needs some work (as below) but basically it drove beautifully, tracked straight, everything worked, leather is good, etc. - felt good. The power leather seats are more comfortable than those in the S model. I'm still not crazy about their shape but they were OK. The truck has about 70,000 miles on it and has that slight uneven idle which suggestes to me that perhaps the intake manifold gasket is on its way out(does that sound right?). There were also the tell-tail oil spill marks (on the engine) of a vehicle that uses oil (and thus needs some added from time to time). I'm thinking that if I bought it, I'd clean the EGR, replace the PCV valve and have that gasket replaced. Does cleaning the EGR make a big difference in oil use? I'd also swap shocks right away because the ones on it are toast.
As I said, it seems solid otherwise and ran/drove very well. The used car dealer offers a 30-day 100% warranty which would give me a month to spot any other problems and have them fixed for free. He's asking $12,900 but if I decide to go for it, I'll start at $10,000 and see what happens.
Glad to see you coming back to the trooper despite having your first one totalled. I'd go for a set of springs and OME shocks. I just ordered up a set of 4 shocks and rear springs for ~$450 shipped!
I test drove a 1999 Acura SLX today that I really liked. It has some scratches here and there and needs some work (as below) but basically it drove beautifully, tracked straight, everything worked, leather is good, etc. - felt good. The power leather seats are more comfortable than those in the S model. I'm still not crazy about their shape but they were OK. The truck has about 70,000 miles on it and has that slight uneven idle which suggestes to me that perhaps the intake manifold gasket is on its way out(does that sound right?). There were also the tell-tail oil spill marks (on the engine) of a vehicle that uses oil (and thus needs some added from time to time). I'm thinking that if I bought it, I'd clean the EGR, replace the PCV valve and have that gasket replaced. Does cleaning the EGR make a big difference in oil use? I'd also swap shocks right away because the ones on it are toast.
As I said, it seems solid otherwise and ran/drove very well. The used car dealer offers a 30-day 100% warranty which would give me a month to spot any other problems and have them fixed for free. He's asking $12,900 but if I decide to go for it, I'll start at $10,000 and see what happens.
OME is "Old Man Emu" right? I'm looking for a smooth ride over rough dirt roads (which I drive every day) as well as control. You think OME is the ticket above Rancho or Bilstein?
It's easier with motorcycles - the answer is always Ohlins.
I can't see any difference since my EGR was replaced several weeks ago. It is not drastic anyway so not much to worry about. Mileage doesn't seem to have changed any but there's more 'pep' in the engine now.
After 4 trips to the dealer to get the driveline 'clunk' looked at, it's still there. They don't have a clue yet as to why it does this.
Rancho 9000's adjustable, have been installed for 30K miles and still adjust just fine. No problem turning the adjuster, but I've not been out mudding like paisan. That might be the difference.
Best mileage in the 99' 4WD is about 20mpg hanging in at about 69 mph on the interstate. With the 20+HP resistor in place of the IAT sensor this goes up a bit.
Best mileage in my 01' 2WD was 21 mpg hanging in at about 70-72 mph. This engine is quite a bit stronger feeling than the 99' and much more responsive to the gas pedal. Dealer says this model is 700 lbs lighter than a 4WD model.
Looked at several 01' and 02' Troopers on Ebay for sale. Some listed as LS or LTD have mixed combinations of accessories and appointments. I saw leather seats with manual adjuster knobs instead of power seats. Also say standard door panel inserts vs. wood grain applique. Wheels appeared to be the 5 spoke vs. web mesh style. All appeared to have S model outside mirrors instead of color matched to body color.
Comments
-mike
-mike
-mike
Thanks,
Sean
In fact, if I could find a way to pitch the passenger seat up in the front, I'd do it. My wife has the same "falling off the seat" feeling.
Also, have found that * sometimes * when I stop and then lift my foot off the brake, hear/feel strange sound, like the brakes are sticking - but am not sure. I only have 22k on my Trooper.
Suggestions? Or just a quirk of Isuzu's?
I did some more research in my spare time, just for fun (I find it relaxing) and came up with this based on comments (from owners) that I've read on various web sites. The summary info. will be up soon at: http://wwww.motorcycletours.com/mctours/trooper.htm
Is cleaning the EGR valve enough to reduce the oil consumption problem?
Thanks,
Sean
Sean
"Use regular unleaded gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher".
Other posts have lead me to believe that excessive use of premium fuel will lead to carbon build up.
There are two bolts at the base of the passenger seat which holds it to the floor. I made 2 spacer bars about 3-6" long and about 1" wide(I forget exactly) and used my drill press to drill holes for the two attaching bolts in each bar. This small spacer bar will raise the seat to whatever height you need. I first set the driver seat to a comfortable height, then used the driver seat measurements to set the height of the passenger seat. This modification has made a big difference. Of course the spacer bar has to be thick and strong enough to hold the seat firmly in case of an accident. Don't try this modification if you are not handy with tools and have no clue about what you are doing. It might help to check with an expert.
BTW, some think that name-brand gasoline is better than the El-Cheapo brands - there was a program on TV that all gasoline with the same octane is the same.
On to the purchase, this 1998 Trooper appears to have no rust but appears that it might have been 'bumped' in the front as the front bumper cover seems poorly fitted, the fog lights not set in the cover properly, and some very minor peeling paint. In fact, it appears that the front cover is badly misaligned or perhaps pushed inward about an inch - I note this because of the way the bumper cover aligns with the fender flares. In addition, I note that when I press in on both front fenders that they tend to give in more than on my undamaged 1999 Trooper. Perhaps this is something that can be corrected inexpensively??????
This poorly done frontal repair along with that the CD player is missing showing a hole in dash and a lot of scratches on the tire cover makes me want to rate this Trooper only GOOD instead of EXCELLENT for valuation in Kelley Blue Book. The rest of the body is visually excellent with glossy near perfect paint.
The engine has been cleaned and the serpentine belt looks good - so it must have been replaced. There are no service records so I don't know what has been serviced on this Trooper.
The following are the negatives about this 1998 Trooper:
- mismatched tires all are 245's but the 2 front match, but the rear have another two brands.
- brakes work but parking brake handle does not pull up like on my 1999
- no floor mats nor cargo roll up cover
- CD player missing
- no wheel lock, no remote controls
- windshield has a minor chip like a rock hit it
- no service history
Kelly Blue Book with Good rating has the Trade-In value at $4,675.
Edmunds has Tradein=$4,310, Private Party=$5,585, Dealer Retail=$7,050.
The asking price for this 1998 Luxury Trooper is $7,900 and they said they will take less. Its at a dealership and they want me to make an opening offer. Should I go fer it or skip it? If I should go for it, what opening offer?
I know my 1999 Trooper when I select TOD, there is a subtle steering tightness but is this a sure-fire way. Its summertime here and I don't think the dealership will be happy if I take it too a muddy field.
-mike
..
I have had once in a long time experience with pinging under just certian conditions like coming off from heavy acceleration up a hill pulling a trailer. I had to listen close to hear it. When this happens I put in a bottle of the fuel injector cleaner. I use the Valvoline brand and the type that calls for once in 12000 miles use. This seems to help, but it is not a significant problem.
..
If I were more concerned about lowest possible operating cost I would use the 87 Octane too.
..
I don't want the pistons slapped around like the are when pinging happens, I am concerned about getting maximum miles (goal: > 300000) on the Trooper, so for me a little higher octane and a close ear for pinging is part of longevity.
2. 3.2L / 5 Spd / 4WD
3. 135,000
4. burns 1qt per 3000-5000 mi.
5. replaced clutch (its 2nd) and starter in 2003.
6. total cost: $2300.
plenty of coolant in radiator. (overflow tank is about halfway btwn MIN and MAX)
have i got a problem or is this normal temperature regulation by the controls?
[oil pressure and battery guages fluctuate alot, w/in a certain range. which took me awhile to get used to but i've learned is quite normal.]
Cheers,
Sean
..
1995 Trooper-S 5-speed 4x4 $22K new, sold to salvage even though it still operated fine after being rear ended so hard the $6000+ per use air bags went off (Volvo that rear ended me looked like a tree fell on the roof, back of Trooper slight wrinkle thanks to hitch - Trooper crumple zones are in the other car!). Occational ticking, no oil use, ticking remedied every time with clean oil.
..
2001 Trooper 5-speed $13.8K used with 30K miles on it. Well taken care of by previous owner. 1st time I have limited slip rear diff and it make a big difference on snow. No oil use, 21mpg if I can keep it down to 65-70 mph. 16-17mpg around town typically 340 miles on 19.5 gallons. I have 255/70/16 revo tires saved from the 1995.
-mike
Long time no chat. Do you find the seats in your LS to be comfortable? Is there an adjustable lumbar support? What adjustments are on the drivers and passengers seats?
We never did meet up in the Adirondacks for a drive. Maybe this spring?
Cheers,
Sean
-mike
Also...I've good experience with Bilsteins on my Avalanche. Has anyone tried them on the Trooper?
Thanks as always,
Sean
That seems outstanding. My 1999 Trooper never seems to get anywhere near 21mpg. Mine is an Automatic, perhaps manual transmission is the difference?
On shocks, I went with the Rancho 9000RS adjustables over the Bilsteins for the Trooper to eliminate the harsh edge my wife doesn't like when installed on previous vehicles. Towing was another factor in my purchase of Rancho's.
99 Trooper
Questions:
1) If I give them a check, should I expect the Title at the same time?
2) Today I cranked the Trooper and let it run about 5 minutes and then checked the oil. It was just below the ADD mark. Should oil be checked with the engine warm or cold? I know some of these 3.5L V6's burn a little oil but this one doesn't show any visible smoke. Opinions?
I appreciate all the advice you Trooper experts have provided me and someday we might have my son joining in the crowd. Knowing him, he's gonna want to join in at Uhawarie :-)
-mike
-mike
..
Some Troopers use oil at 1qt/1000 miles or so, so if you find a low oil reading it might indicate that the engine is an oil burner. Oil burning is not a big deal for the engine, but you must keep checking the oil levelfor the rest of its life.
I test drove a 1999 Acura SLX today that I really liked. It has some scratches here and there and needs some work (as below) but basically it drove beautifully, tracked straight, everything worked, leather is good, etc. - felt good. The power leather seats are more comfortable than those in the S model. I'm still not crazy about their shape but they were OK. The truck has about 70,000 miles on it and has that slight uneven idle which suggestes to me that perhaps the intake manifold gasket is on its way out(does that sound right?). There were also the tell-tail oil spill marks (on the engine) of a vehicle that uses oil (and thus needs some added from time to time). I'm thinking that if I bought it, I'd clean the EGR, replace the PCV valve and have that gasket replaced. Does cleaning the EGR make a big difference in oil use? I'd also swap shocks right away because the ones on it are toast.
As I said, it seems solid otherwise and ran/drove very well. The used car dealer offers a 30-day 100% warranty which would give me a month to spot any other problems and have them fixed for free. He's asking $12,900 but if I decide to go for it, I'll start at $10,000 and see what happens.
Any thoughts,
-mike
I test drove a 1999 Acura SLX today that I really liked. It has some scratches here and there and needs some work (as below) but basically it drove beautifully, tracked straight, everything worked, leather is good, etc. - felt good. The power leather seats are more comfortable than those in the S model. I'm still not crazy about their shape but they were OK. The truck has about 70,000 miles on it and has that slight uneven idle which suggestes to me that perhaps the intake manifold gasket is on its way out(does that sound right?). There were also the tell-tail oil spill marks (on the engine) of a vehicle that uses oil (and thus needs some added from time to time). I'm thinking that if I bought it, I'd clean the EGR, replace the PCV valve and have that gasket replaced. Does cleaning the EGR make a big difference in oil use? I'd also swap shocks right away because the ones on it are toast.
As I said, it seems solid otherwise and ran/drove very well. The used car dealer offers a 30-day 100% warranty which would give me a month to spot any other problems and have them fixed for free. He's asking $12,900 but if I decide to go for it, I'll start at $10,000 and see what happens.
Any thoughts,
It's easier with motorcycles - the answer is always Ohlins.
Cheers,
Sean
I'm getting the OMEs on in the next few weeks so I'll give you a report as soon as they are done.
-mike
Mine are the updated 9 setting rs's...we'll see over time.
-mike
After 4 trips to the dealer to get the driveline 'clunk' looked at, it's still there. They don't have a clue yet as to why it does this.
Rancho 9000's adjustable, have been installed for 30K miles and still adjust just fine. No problem turning the adjuster, but I've not been out mudding like paisan. That might be the difference.
Best mileage in the 99' 4WD is about 20mpg hanging in at about 69 mph on the interstate. With the 20+HP resistor in place of the IAT sensor this goes up a bit.
Best mileage in my 01' 2WD was 21 mpg hanging in at about 70-72 mph. This engine is quite a bit stronger feeling than the 99' and much more responsive to the gas pedal. Dealer says this model is 700 lbs lighter than a 4WD model.
Looked at several 01' and 02' Troopers on Ebay for sale. Some listed as LS or LTD have mixed combinations of accessories and appointments. I saw leather seats with manual adjuster knobs instead of power seats. Also say standard door panel inserts vs. wood grain applique. Wheels appeared to be the 5 spoke vs. web mesh style. All appeared to have S model outside mirrors instead of color matched to body color.