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Isuzu Trooper

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  • drmpdrmp Member Posts: 187
    A friend is considering a new Trooper to replace his old '93 Trooper. Can you please post the contact info. on somebody that gives a good offer? Low 20's with 0% interest rate?

    Thanks.
  • cwmosercwmoser Member Posts: 227
    I know this is a perception but I've always heard that Pirelli do not wear well. I personally had a set of Pirelli that did not wear well and a friend of mine had a Volvo with Pirelli's where he was a participant in a class action suit and he received a free replacement set of tires.

    Yokohama - once owned a 1987 Maxima and had wear problems with the Yokohamas.

    Michlen - no problems what so ever - had them on a Mercedes and a 1991 Caravan.

    Bridgestone - have had road noise problems.

    Firestone Wilderness - had those on a 1991 Caravan and the Firestone salesman recommended that I upgrade to another brand - that was before all this publicity.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I like them too but figure I change tires often enough to not worry about 50K+ treadlifes. I generally go 50K or less miles on a set of tires before replacement.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well the best salesman in the NY Area is Mark Jerrick @ SI Subaru/Isuzu. Not the cheapest, but he'll give you an honest up front no-haggle price. Also no extra fees afterward either. Give him a ring 718-979-9595 T-Sun he's off on Mondays.

    -mike
  • offroaderoffroader Member Posts: 23
    I recently returned from a 1,600 mile round-trip from the Los Angeles area to the redwoods along the Calif. north coast (near Eureka). We towed a rented pop-up tent trailer (weighs about 1,200 lbs. according to RV salesman) behind my 99 Perf. Pkg. Had 3 people and a dog, lots of gear, roof rack on top of Trooper, etc. Average speed about 65 mph on the freeway section, AC on most of the time. About 2/3 of the trip was relatively flat freeway cruising, about 1/3 was winding mountain roads & some steep grades.

    Power-wise, could barely tell the trailer was back there, esp. on the freeway. The Trooper handled the grades very well too, with plenty of power.

    Overall gas mileage was 14.3 mpg using the cheapest unleaded we could find. No pinging, even though the weather was quite hot. This is compared the usual 18 mpg when not towing. Not great, but certainly acceptable given the load & wind resistance, etc.

    BTW I changed oil when I returned. It had 3,800 miles on it. The level was down about 1/2 qt. This was probably due to the towing, because it usually doesn't use that much between changes. Again, this is quite acceptable for the performance level, roominess, etc.

    I'm really starting to like this machine.
  • cdanschwartzcdanschwartz Member Posts: 23
    Yes, the tire cover goes on and comes off quite easily. The reason that I had so much trouble before is because of a mistake when the car was prepped by the dealer. Whomever mounted the spare tire cover inserted the outer shell BEHIND the black rear shell, rather than over it. So, in effect, the rear lip of the outer shell was binding between the tire and the rear shell when I tried to remove the outer shell.

    I didn't know the correct way the tire cover was supposed to go on, and I simply assumed that the dealer had installed the cover correctly.

    Now that I know how it works, I like it much better and I no longer want to replace it with a vinyl thing-a-ma gig.

    BTW, this is one of several mistakes that my dealer, Robert Chevrolet Isuzu made when they propped my car. Here is the list.

    The windshield wiper blades were caked with dirt. So when I turned on my wipers for the first time during a rain storm, they severely scratch my windshield. The dealer had to replace the windshield. All because some [non-permissible content removed] couldn't bother to clean the car properly before delivery.

    The windshield washer reservoirs were filled with plain water. Okay but ineffective in the summer. A problem in the winter when the water freezes and expands.

    The tires were unevenly inflated and the pressures were in the mid-forties. This could have a negative effect on the handling of the car in an emergency.

    Other than the dealer prep, which was horrible, the car has been great. The mileage is poor, but I knew that going into the car. I just don't understand how the Tahoes and Expeditions can get the same or better highway numbers than the Trooper. I know several people with Tahoes and they report 18-20 on long trips.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well think of it this way, all the repairs they'll have to pay for from 37K miles up to 200K miles you won't have to pay for :) So you take a hit in milage, but aren't left dead on the road, and have to fork out cost repair bills! :) Glad to hear that the cover issue was worked out, I was kinda perplexed by the amount of effort it took you to put it on and off. I run my tires @ 40R 35F which is about 5 psi higher than the reccommended, gives me better handling and better milage. On the highway I generally get 18MPG @ 80MPH on the freeway.

    -mike
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    Glad to see you got the cover situation worked out. The dealer having it behind the plastic piece--that's odd. Definitely that hangs it up and should be avoided. Sorry to hear about the windshield. Can those sort of things be polished I wonder. I also have a wiper line that is not too noticable. The trooper windshield glass seems to be quite soft and susceptable to pitting as well. I'm not sure why the gas mileage on the trooper is no better than let's say our V8 sequoia that gets 19 hgy, but that is what I see also. The trooper does have good power though for a V6 and for the weight that it moves.
  • cdanschwartzcdanschwartz Member Posts: 23
    I think that the reason why the Trooper gets worse mileage than other SUV's with V8 engines is because a V8 has a wider torque band and is thus able to move a vehicle at highway speeds while the engine is turning slowly. At 1500 rpms at 70 mph, for example. A V6 has a narrower torque band and is forced to run at a higher rpm, such as 2500-3000 rpms at 70 mph.

    The Trooper has great passing power on the highway, especially with the Power mode on the trans. But the gas mileage suffers because of the narrower power band.

    Just as GM makes good auto trannies, I think the 4.8 V8, or the new straight six 4.2 would have be a nice engine in the Trooper. I don't think it would break down.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'd rather have a good Isuzu engine, than a GM engine. It won't matter next year though, cause we'll be getting a tahoe clone as the trooper :(

    The 4.8 on the tahoe is a pig. I test drove one, and it was way way weaker than the Isuzu 3.5. haven't driven the Envoy/trailblazer yet though.

    -mike
  • masbamamasbama Member Posts: 6
    I was set on a 2001 Trooper 'S'. Dealer was selling it for $21,400 plus $300 Doc and Tax. Was getting what I wanted for trade in. I would just have to add CD player and Trailer hitch. That plus warranty made it a 'no brainer'. It was the last on the lot with beige interior which was what we needed. It would be used by my wife to drive to work (40 miles round trip) and by me on the weekends to tow my boat [3000 lbs]. What went wrong was when we drove it. It was fine around town but a terrible shimmey on the interstate. There was a whistling noise coming from the rear and the tranney seemed to be searching for its gear. It was heartbreaking because that was what we wanted but did not buy it (Bought a Highlander instead) Was this normal? From reading the posts it doesn't seem to be.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hmmm, it just needed a tire balancing. They generally get out of balance ont he trip from japan over to here. The gear searching could have been a # of different things. Should have checked with us beforehand!

    -mike
  • montanabill2montanabill2 Member Posts: 36
    No big issue here - just wanted to let the group know that after 3500 miles the Trooper LS we bought is a jewel - I have owned a lot of new cars, trucks and SUV's - this one is a gem - We truly enjoy it - beautifully put together - high quality materials - and the paint (mica red) is flawless - beautiful high gloss finish. No trips to the dealer for anything accept for an oil change at 3000. Gas mileage is low - but I feel what gives the trooper its punch is the low (high number rear end gearing) - 4.0 something rear-end and this eats a little gas. Tahoe I had got about (maybe better) the same mileage (350 V8) but had a 3.42 rear end.

    Agree with some review that commented about the hap-hazard switch gear placement - almost every switch on the console has been accidentally activated - some more than once - by something being layed on the console - but after awhile you learn - no big deal. I hate to see this vehicle die - I read about the next trooper under development in Japan (GBX - I think it is called). I'm hoping that the vehicle does not become a Tahoe clone.

    Found out on some other obscure web site (saw paisan's name in there a couple of times) that overseas (Malasia) the trooper has gas shocks installed by the factory - but for us highway cruising americans we get the super softies. I ordered the urethane swaybar bushings from JC Whitney - and imagine I will install gas shocks in the near future - this is a great vehicle. The biggest problem as I see it is Isuzu - they poorly marketed this vehicle - but then again I got a great deal.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    http://isuzu-suvs.com ? That's my site! :)


    -mike

  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    Come-on Paisan's site! No way.
  • tntmythtntmyth Member Posts: 70
    I just took my 2001 Trooper S on it first road trip around Florida. No problems. I drove at speeds between 70-90 mph. I notice that at the speeds above 70 mph I had to hold the car to the left to counter the strong winds. Wind roar was pretty bad up over 90. But of course this is to be expected driving a box 90 mph down the road. It was like this just about anywhere going south or north on open roads. I figure that it is just the wind currents on the open highway what with a flow of cars going each way. I did not experience this crosswind when there was a barrier in the middle of the highway such as a tall median. Sometimes there was sort a humming vibration that chimed in at around 85-90 mph. Not sure if this was wind or tires. Anyways it was enough to get me to keep the speed under 90. I did take it a little over 90 a few times and it rides nice. Still makes me a little nervous driving a truck that fast. So I kept it under 90 most of the way.

    Overall, very pleasant and comfortable and great for carrying luggage and 5 passengers around Orlando to all the Disney theme parks. The AC was just fine, of course once it had a few minutes to cool the interior off.
  • montanabill2montanabill2 Member Posts: 36
    If you do a Trooper search you will find all sorts of sites out there on the net. The one "obscure" I'm referencing to is not paisan's site - just noticed he found it too and chimed in a couple of times - topic area includes all isuzu's - but a lot of discussion about troopers old and new.
  • vivayovivayo Member Posts: 32
    I'm looking into buying a travel trailer (around 20' to 24') and am hoping someone here can answer a few questions. I know that the towed weight limit for my '01 2WD LS Trooper is 5,000 lbs. The cargo weight limit is 1,010 lbs. Does the cagro weight lower the towed weight or can I tow/carry a total of 6,000 lbs (I realize that the carried weight includes fuel, cargo, and passengers). Not that I plan to max it out, but it would be nice to know how much of a safety cushion I'll have - it will impact what trailer I buy. What suspension upgrades are recommended? What about hitches? I understand that most trailer sales lots will also try to sell me a hitch. Is there anything special about a hitch designed to tow a travel trailer that isn't available on say, the Hidden Hitch? Any personal experiences pulling a travel trailer? If so, what brand/model? If you want to discuss trailers, maybe do it offline?
    Thanks,
    Charlie
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I have the Hidden Hitch. IMHO it looks best on the Trooper. I towed a flatbed car trailer weighing about 5200lbs with about a 1000lb tounge weight, and about 1200lbs inside the truck. The back went way down cause the tounge weight was incorrect, but other than that, it towed like a champ. I'd definitely get a weight distributing tounge for the travel trailer, it will make towing it much easier by distributing the weight of the tounge over the whole vehicle rather than just the back end. I also have OME springs installed, which helped to reduce the sag in the rear with the trailer. And I have rancho 9000 adjust able shocks which also helped with towing as well.

    -mike
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    I am interested in suspension upgrades, different hitches and towing solutions. Please don't take all discussions off-line. Someday I may need the information.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Side note my trooper is back from the dealer for my intermittent CE light problem. Replaced the EGR valve, re-programmed the ECU, and adjusted the TPS (throttle position sensor) for the drive by wire. In and out in 3 hrs. Unbelieveable service up in ALbany NY.

    -mike
  • nahcirenahcire Member Posts: 9
    Anyone has experience transmission oil leak in 00 trooper? I had a leak from both the drain and fill plugs last year. Dealer replace the washers and now they leak again. The leak is not large but tranny oil is definitely seeping through those plugs. any input is appreciated.

    eric
  • breakorbreakor Member Posts: 398
    On my 1999 automatic the washers had an adhered internal rubber section. Having read that they were very easy to damage I got a set from the dealer before doing my fluid change. The parts I got were copper washers just like on an oil plug. Now whether these new washers are a design change by Isuzu, a upgrade found by the dealer or just a mistake; I do not know. I do know however that I have not had any leakage.

    You might suggest this approach to your dealer. If nothing else your be sure to remind them that those rubber inserts need to be handled very gingerly otherwise you will be back yet again.
  • erinsquarederinsquared Member Posts: 178
    Did you have the transmission fluid changed? If you did, maybe the mechanic stripped the threads when he re-tightened the plug. This may be the worst case, but I've had this happen before with an oil drain plug at one of these quick lube places. Once this happens, there is no way to prevent the leak except to oversize the plug or have the hole tapped and a coil insert fitted. Since the tranny fluid does not have too frequent of a change interval, you may be able to use RTV silicone (get the type that is not oil soluble) on the ends of the threads to seal it. It should hold a good seal, yet remove for the next service.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Just make the dealer replace the tranny oil pan under warranty. That's what I'd do.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Hey all here is a webpage with details of the SIA Trail Ride for Sept 15th


    http://isuzu-suvs.com/events/index.html


    -mike

  • konghhkonghh Member Posts: 20
    It happened to me with my prevous '89 manual transmission (MUA5). The mechanic changing my tranny oil cross treaded the filler hole and over tightened it. The aluminium filler hole developed hair line crack hence the leak. I was p$@#ed.
  • tuckegtuckeg Member Posts: 11
    Mike,

    You asked where I am located. It's Nassau, about 15 miles SE of Albany. Did you go to Otto Isuzu for service?

    George
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I took it to German Auto Haus in Burnt Hills, near Schenectady. They had great service. How is Otto?

    -mike
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
    Out there on paisan's page there are instructions on how-to install the poly bushings. Question, do the part numbers listed fit more than one model Trooper? I'm needing them for a 97' model, and are the installation instructions the same for a 97' model? What are the major benefits of installing the poly bushings? Happy Trooping!! ;-)
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
    Anyone else experiencing any whine or whistle sounds coming from the rear differential? It is most evident at about 65 mph. It can be heard starting at about 55 mph and gains volume/amplitude til about 70 mph. At that point other noises seem to cover it up. I'm about to look up a shop to take it apart and find a remedy. Anyone familiar with the warranty might comment on if this would be covered or not. Its a 97 Trooper with 57,698 miles on it.
  • raydahsraydahs Member Posts: 449
    BSMART - if you have 5/60k powertrain warranty, it's covered, see page 4 of 8 under "what is covered" in the 99 Warranty pdf.file

    http://isuzu-suvs.com/images/99trooperwarranty.PDF
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Does your truck have the LSD? If so, I'd suspect that the tire circumference is greater the 1/4 of an inch different on your tires, and this will cause a whine. I had a TOD whine that was due to a tire have 1/2" different diamter than the others.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    the writeup should work for '92->'02. It will translate to better feel of the road, and less body roll. Overall a better handling car will result from the poly bushing upgrade.

    -mike
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    I had a whine in the 35-40 mph range that was TOD independent with the Bstone tires. I don't have it now with new tires.
  • tuckegtuckeg Member Posts: 11
    Good to know about German Auto Haus. I don't know about Otto. We bought in Washington area and have not had service done locally on it yet. Otto's advertized prices on new Trooper are over $2.5k
    more than in D.C.. If their prices for service are similiar, I won't be finding out. We had service on our other Troopers done on the east side of the Hudson, but the dealer has recently changed hands and dropped Isuzu.
  • tuckegtuckeg Member Posts: 11
    Any suggestions for seat covers for a 2001 S? Anyone use Wet okoles?
  • konghhkonghh Member Posts: 20
    On my '97 Trooper that came with OEM gas Tokico, my front antisway bar bush is 28mm and the rear is 20mm. I believe that's measurement is slightly larger than U.S. version. So watch out. And yes, mine came with OEM third row seat as well.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Lucky [non-permissible content removed]! 3rd row and gas shocks...
    :)

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    These guys run a class act. They are a porsche/audi/alfaromeo dealer. And sell lots of used high end german cars. I'm not sure if they are still an audi/porsche dealer, but all the cars they workon are porsche and audis. Luckily I haven't had to pay for any service, but the 2x (once on my rodeo) I had to use em, they were fast and efficient.

    -mike
  • boxtrooperboxtrooper Member Posts: 843
    Is there a source for 28mm and 20mm poly bushings that fit the Trooper 92-02 better than the slightly loose 3/4 inch and slightly tight 1 inch?
  • gpm5gpm5 Member Posts: 785
    Someone suggested those on here once. I looked them up and they looked very good, especially if you're interested in protecting from water.
  • montanabill2montanabill2 Member Posts: 36
    I quess I'm kind of curious about the slight mismatch between the 20/28 mm and the 0.75/1.00 inch bushings as well. I have ordered the kits from JC Whitney so I will see just how well everything goes together - From the other posting this doesn't seem to be an issue. The "how to" instructions mentions using 8 ea 1/4 inch thick washers - what dia?. I didn't specify anything about ordering small A-brackets just the kit numbers that are referenced - are they in the kit?. I can't wait to do this. Gas shocks are next. If you all want to read nighmares go to the Jeep Liberty site - now some of those boys have problems.
  • mother2mother2 Member Posts: 12
    I haven't taken my SLX in yet. I will within the next month or so. Then I'll update you. Thanks for the info. I WILL definately choose my words carefully.

    Paisan...thanks for the invite. I will look forward to the information. The trip sounds like fun. If I can make it, you'll know....I'll probably be the only Mother with her 2 children. LOL. But that hasn't stopped me yet. Boy will they have some stories to tell about their COOL MOM! ;o)
  • peterismepeterisme Member Posts: 68
    I have a 99 trooper S. Last winter, the engine diesd several times when I was in the middle of traffic. This Monday, just one day after the 30k mile serivce, the engine died again when I was in the middle of the jammed traffic. Although I can restart it immidiately, it is annoying. The ISUZU dealer service people said they cannot find any problem. Does anyone else have the same experience?

    By the way, I am pretty satisfied with my Trooper, but having a dead engine in the middle of traffice is surely not a good sign. What's you guys' opinion?
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    was it raining? The ignition can get wet? Once, while crashing through puddles, in a heavy downpour, I stalled at a light. Same thing, where it started right back up? Or, it could be an igition wiring problem? Maybe when it heats up a connection separates and shorts?

    anyway good luck and keep us posted.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I'd have them re-program the ECU. I know the 2Ks and '01s have a re-program of the ECU as a "technical service bulliten" which is a "do this if there is a problem" type thing that dealers do. They re-programmed mine last time I was in when they were checking out some other CE light problems.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well the details so far are friday night ->Monday this coming Columbus day weekend (I think it's Oct 12-15 or thereabouts) should be fun. Last time a guy from FLA picked up his kids in Arkansas and they camped with us. They had a ball.

    -mike
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    image


    ...at 7-8pm Pacific/10-11 pm Eastern. Hope to see you there!

    http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/isuzuchat.html

  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I should be here tonight too! Finally re-installed my nudge bar, and it's nice and tight, frame-tight now! :)

    -mike
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