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Isuzu Trooper

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Comments

  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    I need to take another look, but I think you need a star type wrench. They are available as part of a set that has removable heads on the hand type screw driver.
  • sahara111sahara111 Member Posts: 51
    Hi,

    Does anyone remember the discussion awhile back where someone installed some manual locking front hubs for the Trooper? I'd like to know the brand and where to call for them.

    Thanks.
  • conman2000conman2000 Member Posts: 158
    I think Superwinch and WARN make them for all Troopers. Check the http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/isuzu/ isuzu board as the part number was listed there.


    Cheers,

    Con

  • cwmosercwmoser Member Posts: 227
    What do you make of this? As great a vehicle as the Trooper is, I would have thought Isuzu was financially profitable :-(


    Isuzu making cutbacks

    Associated Press

     

    TOKYO - Isuzu Motors, a Japanese automaker affiliated with General Motors Corp., reported a second straight year of losses and announced Monday it would cut a quarter of its global work force.

    Isuzu, which is 48 percent owned by General Motors, said it would trim 9,700 jobs by 2004, close a truck plant in Kawasaki near Tokyo by 2005 and sell its headquarters building in Tokyo to raise cash.


    The job cuts making up about 25.5 percent of Isuzu's 38,000 global work force will be carried out by attrition, a hiring freeze and voluntary early retirement, the automaker said. Isuzu will cut 3,300 jobs at the parent company, 2,000 at domestic dealers and 4,400 at subsidiaries and affiliates.


    Isuzu President Yoshinori Ida told reporters Isuzu will grow leaner, especially in Japan, by cutting down sales networks and costs. Isuzu will reduce models by 70 percent and halve the types of parts it uses.">www.isuzu.co.jp


    http://braden.infi.net/content/bradenton/2001/05/29/local/0529isuzu_3b.htm

  • newellkochernewellkocher Member Posts: 1
    I own a 1999 Trooper and find myself camping in my tent but would like to sleep in the back of the trooper. Does anyone have an idea what would work or were I can find a tent. The Pontaic Aztek uses a tent cover but can't find someone that sells one for the Trooper. Thank you all in advance.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    You can remove the back seat, then you don't need a tent thing for the Trooper. In the How-to Section of http://isuzu-suvs.com you can find 5 minute instructions on removing the back seats.


    -mike

  • carscarscarscarscarscars Member Posts: 7
    Many thanks to paisan, conman2000 and emiura for your input.

    Paisan: AWESOME website!!! I will keep you posted of the results. My shop is recommending Bilstiens although I'm not sure if they know what Rancho 9000's are. BTW, how difficult are shocks (& Sway bar bushings, etc.) to install?

    emiura: Thanks for the heads up. I tried the site www.isuzusuv.com, but it kept telling me "a connection with the server could not be established". Do you happen to know his e-mail address? I greatly appreciate it.

    ALL: Some engineers at my company and I were debating what the effects would be if stickier tires were used with a vehicle with such a tall center of gravity. One argued the fact that b/c my current tires slide, they give way against possible rollover effect (whipping back and forth, sudden hop/skip/and roll). I believe paisan is correct in widening the track as much as possible. The change from stock to 255/55VR18 would mean an overall diameter drop from 29.50 in. to 29.04 in. What will I experience from the effects to gearing?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sorry it's been down, dam T-storms knocked out my power and I hadn't been home to re-set the server yet (running the site off my DSL line) Need to get a UPS for it, anyone want to donate one? :)


    Here is a site to calculate how off your gearing will be with different tires


    http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html


    stickier tires: Well 2 weekends ago, there was a guy doing auto-x in camden NJ with a stock Jetta that he put racing tires (very stickie tires) on and wound up flipping it as you described. Most people felt it was due to the stock suspension combined with the stickier tires. I'd say that the lowering of the suspension, the widening of the track, stiffer Torsen bars (cranked down to lower the vehicle, try sway-away bars) combined with stiffer sway bars front and rear, should make the stickier tires a good combination. Heck throw a blower or a turbo on the truck and you'll have one hell of a Typhoon with the TOD system :)


    -mike


    PS: e-mail me any pics you want in the Gallery mike@iace.com

  • emiuraemiura Member Posts: 59
    Here is the contact info:

    Andreasen's Japanese Car and SUV Center
    Keith Andreasen
    email: isuzusuv@community.net

    Keep trying on his webpage. I got connected w/o problem tonight.

    ...Eiji...
  • emiuraemiura Member Posts: 59
    I don't know any tent options, but I had spent five days camping on my way to Moab 'ZuZoo this year. Instead of setting up and breaking a tent every day, I had slept in my 99 Trooper for four nights. Here is what I did.

    1. Remove the driver's headrest.
    2. Move the driver's seat all the way forward.
    3. Recline both front and back seats all the way down.
    4. Extend the reat headrest.
    5. Put folded blanket on the back seat to reduce height difference between front backrest and the back seat.

    I'd been camping in a pickup truck before I got the Trooper, but this setup was much more comfortable. Somehow the contour of the seat was perfect for my body, and I didn't get sore back at all. With the moonroof open, I got view all way around me. I'm about 5'9", so it may not work for taller person.

    ...Eiji...
  • conman2000conman2000 Member Posts: 158
    image


    Con

  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    I looked at the removing the seats trick and bike rack thing.

    I did not see the extreme bike rack at Walmart online. Not sure of the "real" Walmart.

    Also, why do you replace bushings?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    But people have replaced the sway bar bushings as an in-expensive way to stiffen up the stock sway bars, rather than get the Calmini sway bars for around $250.

    -mike
  • pat_pendingpat_pending Member Posts: 36
    I have a '99 limited that I bought in November 1999. Since then, including through the winter, spring, summer, and fall of 2000, I have consistently received about 15-16 MPG. This included a commute of about 26 miles to and from work, followed by a commute of 8 miles to and from work.

    This spring, i.e., around April, my gas mileage suddenly shot up to 17.5-18, and in some cases more. It appears to be increasing; this Memorial Day weekend I drove home from a rafting/camping trip in PA and it looks like I got almost 20 MPG this tank!

    Has anyone experienced this? I wondered about several issues:

    1) is it possible that we did not receive non-oxygenated gas in this area last year, so that I never saw the 20% increase in MPG I usually see in the spring? BUT, this is the DC area, (i.e., high volume fuel turnover) and I have bought gas all over VA, MD, DC, DE, and PA.

    2) Is there some adaptive strategy that the Trooper engine or transmission management system has in its programming that would optimize the running of the Trooper after all these miles? (33K now).

    3) Is the Trooper THAT sensitive to driving habits? I have slowed down my driving slightly; instead of fighting with traffic I have been 'going with the flow,' coasting instead of keeping on the gas approaching known slowdowns, staying below 80, etc.

    I'm enjoying this phenomenon immensely and I am not complaining. I am simply curious if anyone in this or any other area has seen anything similar.

    -Ken
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    ...it is your driving habits.

    Keeping it below 80 with a moving brick wall wouldn't hurt. Also, the coasting instead of gassing right up to a slowdown must help. Also, check your tire pressure. Higher usually equals better gas mileage (but harder ride).
  • gguess1gguess1 Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone gotten the scoop on the New Trooper? They reference to concept vehicle from the 97' Japan Auto show. Anyone know how to look at old shows?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    2002 Trooper will be the same exact vehicle as the '98-'01 Trooper (they've already produced most of the 2002 troopers)

    2003 will debut the new Trooper. No concepts for it yet. Last time I spoke to an insider @ Isuzu said:

    V8
    3Rows of seats
    More curves (hopefully not too many)
    Produced in Japan (doesn't look likely now)

    Hopefully it will still be an Isuzu based truck. If it isn't an Isuzu based truck 2 rumors are floating around:

    1) Rebadged Yukon with 4.8l Engine
    2) Re-styled Re-badged Extended Wheelbase Envoy, sporting the 4.8 V8 or the I6 Engine.

    Only time will tell. We should find out next spring sometime what the 2003 Trooper will be, and look for it in showrooms late spring 2002/early summer 2002

    -mike
  • gguess1gguess1 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks Mike,

    I was under the impression that the 02' model would have the v8 and 3rd seat.

    On another subject... has anyone experienced there brake pads lasting longer than suggested? I have a 96' LS I/81K and the dealer says the pads are still in good shape, still replacing in June.
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    can last a long time if your driving style allows...I got 142K miles on my original front pads on my 88 Pathfinder, the rear shoes were still original at 167K when I sold it.

    Point being, if everything in your brake system is working properly and your pads still have adequate thickness, there is no reason to replace the pads...
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I got about 60K out of the fronts and 75K out of the rears on my Rodeo. And this was very aggressive city driving. I think Isuzu uses very large discs and pads, so you get some extra milage out of em.

    -mike
  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    Mine jumped at least 1 MPG about April. I have not changed my driving habits. I did run a bottle of injector cleaner through about then. I have a '00 Trooper LS 2WD. Purchased late June '00. Averaged a little less than 17.5 from purchase until April. Worst tank was about 16.2, best was about 17.8. Since then, every tank has been at least 18.0, average about 18.5, and did get just a touch over 19 on one tank... highway coming back from Biloxi, Ms. to Memphis. I have 16,000 miles now. Air pressure has not changed. I think mine almost had to be a change in the gas in this area.
  • rs_rogersrs_rogers Member Posts: 16
    I too was curious about went the Trooper would be re-designed. I called Isuzu Motors US and was told that the 2002 Trooper was going to be the same. Expect a new design in 2003.

    I was disappointed. I am a loyal Isuzu Trooper owner (91 with 133k miles) and have been everywhere in it. I'm in the market for a new SUV now to replace another vehicle and would love to see a new, larger Trooper with 3rd row seats, but it's not going to be anytime soon enough for me.

    I then remembered seeing an article some time ago that the re designed Trooper was going to be a re-badge GM Jimmy/Envoy. That really dissapoints me. I hope it is not the case. I can understand how that with a controlling stake in Isuzu now, GM will not allow a new, real competitor to its own models.

    So, I am now seriously looking at the 2001 Mitsubishi Montero instead.
  • offroaderoffroader Member Posts: 23
    Superwinch is the only maker of hubs for the Trooper. I called Warn & they don't make them.

    I installed a set several months ago & it improved my mileage by about 0.4 mpg. I now routinely get more than 18 mpg on the highway. Most importantly, the front CVs & boots no longer turn when the hubs are unlocked (99% of the time), saving wear-n-tear on these expensive parts. Do it - you won't regret it. It took me a 3-4 hours & was well worth it.

    I recently went on a trip to the local mountains. There were two adults, two 10 year old kids, & all sorts of picnic gear (ice chest, chairs, bar-b-q, etc.). The total trip was 230 miles, 50-60 miles of which were very steep and winding mountain (paved) roads. No offroading. A/C on 50% of the time. Freeway speeds 70-75 mph. We got 17.8 mpg overall. That's acceptable for what this vehicle is capable of.

    offroader
  • lovingpclovingpc Member Posts: 34
    Any thoughts on the Trooper's ability to accelerate while at high speeds? My 00 Trooper LTD 2wd does NOT want to be pushed very hard when already at highway speeds (70+).

    I drive in Power mode all the time, and I think that may be telling the truck to downshift too low when I punch it on the highway. When I try to push it hard at 70+, the RPM's jump near redline, and there is NO power to give at that high of an RPM. Just a lot of noise.

    Should I even ask the dealer about it, or do I need to turn OFF "power mode" after reaching 60 mph? I am going to try to experiment by turning off the power switch, but I wanted to know if anyone had similar experiences.

    Previous car was a Civic Coupe EX with Honda's VTECH, which would still give you good power at high RPM's. I might just be living in the past to think that an engine like the Troop would offer good power at high RPMs.

    Thanks-
    Andy
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    There are few autos I know of that will still give kick at 70 mph. Most will not even downshift, except from overdrive to drive. I had a '77 chrysler cordoba with a 400 cu in engine/ 4 barrel carb that would kick well, winding out to 40-45 mph in 1st and to 80+ mph in 2nd.
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    Supposedly it will be out next spring of 2002, but nobody knows what it is or if it is/will be a trooper.
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    What I heard is that Warn does not list for newer Troopers, but the one listed for older Troopers will fit...don't know that for a fact, just what I heard.
  • sahara111sahara111 Member Posts: 51
    OFFROADER:

    Thanks, I did have a look at the Superwinch site but they only list for older, manual transmission Troopers.

    I have the '99 with Auto and TOD. What was the exact part number you used to order the hubs for your Trooper? What model Trooper do you have?

    Thanks.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hey all, I'm out here in MI, been doing a great deal of highspeed highway driving. On the way out, I was doing 79 with the cruise control on, and got passed by a rig last night. I punched it up to 95-100mph for about 15-20miles and it jumped up to 95mph w/o a problem. I did notice that my CE light came on 2x in the past few weeks, both times it was when I pushed the car over 100-105mph. As soon as my fuel tank dropped below 1/4 tank it turned itself off. I'm assuming a bad seal on the fuel cap or fuel line, especially because i didn't get the hiss when I un-did the cap to re-fuel. When I get back I'm gonna have my dealer pull the code for the CE and see what it was.

    -mike
  • fei2fei2 Member Posts: 1
    Recently I got a problem on my trooper, the anti-theft alarm will suddenly go off when it is parked. Does anybody know what the problem is?

    Thanks.
  • offroaderoffroader Member Posts: 23
    The Superwinch part # is 400533. The instruction sheet says the hubs fit the 1990 Trooper II with Auto Hubs (that's correct - 1990).

    My Trooper is a 1999 w/TOD. They work great on mine. Perhaps the front end parts haven't changed much in 10+ years. Isuzu is known for that - keeping a design for a long time if it works.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Check the plungers on the doors and hood?

    -mike
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    My wife's 1996 Jetta alarm was doing funny things, and the door locks were 2 up, 2 down last week. The end of last week, her battery died (how do they time those so they die right after the birthday?).

    So, your problem might just be the battery. Good luck.
  • lovingpclovingpc Member Posts: 34
    Mike:

    Did you have the Troop in Power Mode for this trip you took?

    I've been turning power mode off once I've merged on the interstate, and I haven't had the 6k + RPM problems. It will downshift, but only one gear which puts the RPMs in the low 4's, and offers good power.

    Anyone willing to experiment - put the trooper in Power mode at 70+, then give it some gas as if you were pulling into faster traffice, etc? I wanted to see if the power mode sends the RPM's through the roof.

    Thanks-
    Andy
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Nope, didn't put it in power-mode on the trip. From my experimenting, the power mode gives a nice kick @ 70+ and jumps the rpms into the powerband (I believe peak HP is at 5400rpms) Next time I'm in the truck I'll put it in power and accelerate @ 70 and let you know what happens. Don't forget in 3rd and 4th gear the trooper also locks up the Torque converter so there is no slippage between the engine and the drive-line.

    -mike
  • drmpdrmp Member Posts: 187
    I noticed when NOT on power mode and really gas it, it drops from 4th to 3rd gear with great deal of RPM jump.

    When on power, slight tap on the gas will unlock the torque converter and keep the engine in the sweet rev range. It feels like in the middle of third and fourth gear. When I gas it some more it shifts down to third gear and the rev rises some more.

    Besides delaying upshifts and providing quicker downshifts, I guess the power mode often prevents Torque Converter lock-up when accelerating.
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    I remember the old transmission "power paks" that you could put on GM and Ford vehicles to improve performance. They consisted of springs, plates, etc. This was usually accomanied by "performance" tranny fluid.

    Any of these types of thing exist for Troopers?

    I also know Superchips makes a chip which increases the top end cutoff (I think). In any event, Superchips claims that the Trooper is their most successful application as far as performance gains.
  • lovingpclovingpc Member Posts: 34
    What exactly does a tourque coverter do? Could it be what is causing over-revving when I punch it in power mode? Maybe a gentler tap would give me smoother power.

    I found that turning off power after merging has been a help - no problems since starting that.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    There is a TC in the Transmission which I believe is the plates/fins that spin through your ATF. It "converts" the power from the engine to the end of the transmission. In 3rd and 4th this locks which means that both sides of the equation engine and transmission end, spin at the same rate, normally there is some slippage in there so that gears can be shifted smoothly. The lockup delivers full power from engine to wheels. All this is my own recollections of what people have said, posted, etc.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Sas, I'm not sure why you'd want more power than the Trooper already has. It's not a corvette, but it moves nicely. I just test drove a Yukon, and it was much slower off the line compared to the Trooper. If you want to get some gains, an intake and exhaust system can probably bump it 20-25hp. Personally I find them to be adequetly powered, even towing my 3500lb boat trailer in the mts. :) There is a product out that increases the line pressure in the transmission, but from what I've been told it doesn't seem to be doing anything noticeable.

    -mike
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    Why WOULDN'T anyone want more power?

    Why do you want more than one pair of shoes?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    More power = less milage

    Also increased power can = less power range

    For example...

    If you add a K&N cone filter and a borla exhaust, it increase peak HP by 25hp. The problem is that it robs low end torque and hp below 4K rpms.

    If you must have the most power, gotta go with a big diesel GMC or V10 Excursion!

    :)

    -mike
  • conman2000conman2000 Member Posts: 158
    There is a shift kit for all Isuzu but I don't remember the name. A couple of people have installed it on their VX at club.vmag.com. I think it was about 150 bucks or so and just plugs inbetween a wire harness like some GM shift kits(since the tranny is what GM uses). The idea is that it firms up the shift and changes the shift point which is adjustable. Since the trans shifts firmer, the shifts will be harder but the plus side is that the "bands" will wear less cause of less slipping according to the website. Some have noticed the change and others have not noticed anything though.

    Con
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    I think Honda just came out with a new motor which has more torque, more hp, AND better mpg. Also, putting on an open exhaust usually improves power and mpg. So much for that theory.
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    I have a friend who is a motorhead. He put a shift kit in a 79 Lincoln Continental.

    He said it might have made a difference, but the car is so heavy, you can't notice it anyhow.

    It sounds like the shift kit you are talking about is electronic. There are also mechanical ones. There is also the computer chip (like Superchips one I mentioned) which increases your rev limiter, and maybe changes shift points. This is as much a question as a statement. Dig it! ?
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    Shift kits, which I have experienced from my muscle car buddy, primarily seem to tighten up the shifts, reducing slop and power loss due to slippage. On the minus side, the shifts are much more abrupt - less comfortable.

    Since the Trooper tranny seems fairly tight-shifting anyway, I don't think a shift kit would have much of a benefit on this tranny...
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    For a given engine, if you increase the exhaust size, and intake, you are gonna burn more fuel. That's not a theory, that's a fact. Now the new honda motor may have a whole host of different things done to it, for example:

    variable timing
    5-speed AT which would translate to more MPG
    etc. etc.

    I'm saying that simple bolt on accessories are not going to necessarily add power in all rpm ranges, especially without changing the internals.

    -mike
  • sasquatch_2000sasquatch_2000 Member Posts: 800
    Take any 5 litre Mustang or Camaro.

    Ask any kid, mechanic, or professional what single change they would make to add more power. They will tell you "add a free flowing exhaust". This almost ALWAYS makes more power along the entire range, and improves efficiency (MPG) as well.

    Similar applies to all cars, but in varying doses. Usually, the smaller the engine, the less improvement you'll see. Some are already at or near maximum efficiency, and a bigger exhaust does not necessarily flow better. Maybe that is what you meant. (?)
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Mechanics and Gear Heads alike have told me:

    1) Free-er flowing exhausts will give you more power on the top end. The lack of backpressure on most non-v8 engines will cause the engine to loose low end torque and punch off the line. The same goes for intakes as well. If you car (most V8s) is being restricted significantly, then you will gain more power by doing an exhaust.

    2)Bigger exhausts *may* not flow as smoothly as a smaller one.

    The bottom line is that you can't just throw an exhaust or intake at a car and expect it to have more power over the whole rpm range. It's not that simple.

    :)

    -mike
  • gtroopgtroop Member Posts: 85
    I'll have to agree with Mike on this one. My Prelude lost a little on the low end when I installed a cold air intake. To compensate for this I installed an adjustable computer to control fuel at different rpm levels.
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