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Isuzu Trooper

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Comments

  • tkevinblanctkevinblanc Member Posts: 356
    I just purchased the harness, plugged it in to the receptable, and off I went.

    Have you unplugged the harness and tested it at the receptacle?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    For my dealer to get the Cats in.

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Looks like I may wind up trading in the Trooper next year or selling it and getting a 2003+ Denali XL and possibly a '96 or '97 Rodeo. I want a nice big 7 passenger tow vehicle but still want to offroad so I'll pickup a used Rodeo as a beater/offroader.

    -mike
  • boxtrooperboxtrooper Member Posts: 843
    paison, what do you think of the Rodeo 3.5L Direct Injection version?
    ..
    It is a great time to get a huge tow vehicle, best to time it with a recent gasoline price increase.
    ..
    Do you spend more time towing or offroading?
    ..
    Will you begin towing an off-road-only Rodeo?
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    A 96 or 97 Rodeo to use for offroad. I tow a lot for racing now, and less offroading. If I got a denali and a beater/offroader Rodeo I'd probably tow it to offroad events :)

    -mike
  • cracoviancracovian Member Posts: 337
    How much would you get for your Trooper anyway (probably not much)? Isn't it better to keep a vehicle you've known since new? I'd support you if you told us that a Rodeo is a more capable offroad machine (is it?) or if there are more problems with your Trooper...
  • cracoviancracovian Member Posts: 337
    Paisan, I don't think you'd even get a small fraction of all the extra equipment you put into your Trooper back unless you sell it to one of your offroading friends who can truly appreciate it.
  • dnestrdnestr Member Posts: 188
    Firstly I'd congratulate all the folks with the 10000th message. What a pity I've lost the chance giving up the place to Cracovian :-). As far as I know a Rodeo has SOTF transfer case that is more capable than Paisan's TOD is. Also Rodeo's steering power system turns the wheel easier than it is on Troopers. Everything else makes the Troopers to be more attractive for me personally. An oldie but a goody.
  • doublesharpdoublesharp Member Posts: 32
    Since I got the 2000 2wd Trooper limited the 96 SLX was extra. Put it on the market and got $6700. 128k mi. but very clean. New timing belt, water pump, tires. Buyers happy and so am I.
  • jimmyp1atworkjimmyp1atwork Member Posts: 42
    If the timing works out, and your willing to part it out, I may be interested in buying some of your aftermarket stuff off of the vehicle, Mike. It's eerie though, as I've been thinking of Denali XLs also, but I keep waiting to see info on the redesign due next year as an MY07 (maybe 08, as I've seen recently).

    Jim
  • alan76alan76 Member Posts: 1
    I own 2000 2wd Trooper. Transmission went out at 57k miles; and needed to be totally replaced. The only prior warning: I noticed it slipped immediately before it went out. Service and replacement was covered under manufacturer's warrantly, but when I towed vehicle to dealership, I was made aware that my extended warranty was voided because the company that established the warranty, smart choice, is bankrupt. The dealer (who I purchased the suv and extended warranty from) said I should have purchased the manufacturer's warranty (isuzu's) instead of the third partie's (smart choice). I was not aware that there were different extended warranties, and the dealer made no mention of this when I purchased my trooper. Isuzu will not honor the extended warranty, and the dealer told me I am out of luck. Due to the transmission's short life, the dealership's and Isuzu's attitude, in addition to the extended warranty situation, I have started looking for a new vehicle (unfortunately not an Isuzu). I never towed anything with my trooper, and I was fanatical about getting the periodical maintainence done on it, the short transmission life has caused me to doubt the reliability of my trooper. Prior to this, I loved it, and raved to everyone who asked, how happy I was with my trooper.
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Is covered for 10/120k miles under the powertrain warranty. Why would you blame Isuzu for the extended warranty company going bankrupt?

    -mike
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    Well the Trooper even with TOD is probably better offroad than a Rodeo for sure. I can probably get 10K for my Trooper and I don't have that many mods on it other than the bumper.

    We'll see what happens next summer, looking at a used Denali XL 2003-2005 sometime late next summer. At that point we'll see what I'll do about cars. I may wind up just trading in the Trooper and SVX or selling my dad the Trooper and trade in the SVX on the Denali. Then in '06 get a Legacy STi/GT or something like that.

    -mike
  • dnestrdnestr Member Posts: 188
    You are too thrifty to keep a STi on ;-)
  • tkevinblanctkevinblanc Member Posts: 356
    I have a friend with a 98 SLX that had a very similar transmission problem. It does make one nervous, but then again I have a friend with a 2000 Toyota Sienna that dropped it's tranny at 40K.

    What are you gonna do?
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
    Due to the recent failure of a fuel pump on my older Trooper, I checked the fuel filter on my 99' to see what its status was. It was partially blocked and hard to blow thru. At 65,000 miles I guess it was a little overdue for replacement. I did replace it and performance seems to have improved a bit. The engine seems to accelerate from stop a little quicker especially when it shifts into 2nd gear. Nice little improvement that was unexpected.

    Another item that appears to have been improved is the 'clunk' I was getting in my rear diffy when coming to a complete stop. I added LSD additive to the rear diff. and greased the U-joints and slip collar on the drive shaft. The 'clunk' is hardly noticable now. Think this 99' has a few more years in it. I'm now beyond the warranty, so all repairs are now on my tab.
  • seanreidseanreid Member Posts: 152
    I should swap my fuel filter as well. Where is it? I haven't looked for it yet. Is it held in place with hose clamps on the fuel line?

    Thanks,

    Sean
  • sdc2sdc2 Member Posts: 780
    is mounted on the inner side of the frame rail, passenger side. Slide under in front of the rear wheel and you'll see it.

    Get some new screw-type hose clamps before replacing the filter, those spring-loaded factory ones are not reliable once you remove them.
  • zutrooperzutrooper Member Posts: 66
    Mike: Forget the rodeo and get a '95 trooper (4.56 gears and no TOD, no SOTF, no ODB-II, etc). My '95LS 5 spd is very enjoyable offroad. I do not miss the TOD quirks offroad. BTW, when you coming back down to Uwharrie? Mark
  • paisanpaisan Member Posts: 21,181
    I miss my 97 Rodoe. I also wouldn't get a 5MT, love the 4EAT transes :)

    I will hopefully make Uwharrie this fall or next spring! :)

    -mike
  • seanreidseanreid Member Posts: 152
    sdc2,

    Thank you very much.

    Sean
  • wildbucwildbuc Member Posts: 88
    I have 47K on my 99 Trooper and want to change the fuel filter. Please tell me if this is the correct way to change it. 1. take off the gas tank cap to relieve pressure inside the tank, 2. go to the fuse box in the engine compartment and pull out the fuel pump fuse, 3. run the engine until it stumbles/quits, 4. replace the fuel filter using new clamps, 5. put the gas tank cap and fuel pump fuse back on. 6. Start the Trooper.

    If I have left out anything please inform.
  • dnestrdnestr Member Posts: 188
    As far as I know a disconnected fuel pump circuit can be a reason of the pump malfunction and its replacement as a result if you run the engine so. What can others add?
  • bostnwhalrbostnwhalr Member Posts: 128
    Hey all,

    Have over 108k on my 2000 Limited 4wd. Bought it 16 months ago with 79k. Love everything about it (except the oil burning).

    Question. I have a small hole in my original muffler, which was partially caused by driving my Trooper in an open field with 2-3ft high field grass and light brush and partly due to age (an inspection of the location of the hole indicates that it was on its way out before venturing in the grass.

    OEM muffler appears to be $400+. Any recommendation for an aftermarket muffler. Autozone has one for $19.99, but that seems WAY to cheap and generic. I'd like something decent, and I don't care about sounding like a Corvette with a high performance exhaust system.

    Any suggestions are appreciated.
  • jimmyjimjimmyjim Member Posts: 5
    I am wondering what a bad timing belt ona Trooper sounds like? I have a 2000 Trooper Limited TOD and it has 63k miles on it. It recently started making a high pitched rattleing noise by the fan and belts. I tried to WD40 the problem but it remains. The dealer told me at my last Maint that a timing belt on the trooper is good till 75k miles.
  • bostnwhalrbostnwhalr Member Posts: 128
    I just replaced the timing belt on my 2000 model at 105k. No problem at all. Supposed to go to 100k.
  • boxtrooperboxtrooper Member Posts: 843
    I was searching for more power without more noise on my 1995 Trooper. I finally located what I thought would be my best bet. I contacted the company in the UK which makes an all atainless steel aftermarket exhaust for the Trooper-Duty which is the Trooper in the USA. I do not remember how to contact them.
    ..
    I asked about performance improvement over stock, and I was told the stock exhaust is very free flowing for its level of noise, and that the stainless exhaust available from the UK would not give any advantage in power.
    ..
    My 1995 Trooper-S had a single catalytic converter and my 2001 has two and more of the exhaust path in the 2001 is dual.
    ..
    Maybe you can get an exhaust system with not too many miles on it from the junk yard. I think real exhaust shops might not be allowed to install junk yard catalytic converters, but I think it would not be hard to find some mechanic that would take your money and not ask questions.
  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    I had a dealer tell me that mine on a 2000 Trooper was required to be changed at 60,000 miles or the warranty would be void (was in helping my daughter negotiate a deal on a 2002 Rodeo last year). Later I looked it up in my warranty/service manual that came with the Trooper from Isuzu and I find that it is 90,000 miles. I'll go by what Isuzu sayes in writing instead of what the dealer tries to say.
  • wlbrown9wlbrown9 Member Posts: 867
    2000 Trooper LS. I bought a fuel filter about a week ago. Used the steps posted to change mine yesterday. Worked real good. After removing the fuel pump fuse, the trooper would not start, so I just cranked it about 30 seconds. There was some gas that drained from the lines when disconnected. Other than realizing that in the first pass I had installed it backwards (flat end was on the front and I put it on the back) and had to reverse the filter. Might be running a little better now, not any worse. I did not try the old filter to see how it would flow, but did hold it up to drain out the old fuel before putting in the garbage. When I turned it so the intake end was down, so really discolored gunk started flowing out. I guess it was time to change it. 69,000 miles.
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
    I replaced a muffler on my 97' Trooper a couple years back and it was about $200. Like you said the ISUZU muffler was about $400. I had my muffler shop call for an equivalent replacement and he called me when it came in, and installed it. It had a bit more 'throaty' sound than the original, but not bad.
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
    are they engaged at the wheel all the time? I was changing a flat this weekend and when I tried to spin the wheel the front drive shaft turned as well. TOD was NOT turned on at the time. I guess the wheels are locked in at the hub at all times on the 94' and later Troopers???
  • jimmyjimjimmyjim Member Posts: 5
    Well I am in NO rush to replace the timing belt if it does not need to be! My question stems from the fact that under the hood I have a rattling noise. I checked and can find nothing loose. I also lubed the serpintine belt and that did not help. I can not tell where the sound is coming from. Since the timing belt is not visable that was my guess. The engine does not lose power or idle funny, but it does have quite a rattle. Any ideas?
  • jimmyjimjimmyjim Member Posts: 5
    Not to my knowledge. Maybe the TOD never disengaged properly? I would look tos ee if the CAM shaft tries to disengage when you hit the TOD button.
  • bawbcatbawbcat Member Posts: 118
    On any trooper with TOD or SOTF, the front wheels are permanently engaged to the front axles. This is what allows you to engage 4x4 while the truck is moving, since the driveshaft and axles are already spinning.

    On my 98 trooper with TOD, I've installed Superwinch manual hubs on the front wheels so that the axles can be disconnected from the wheels. When the hubs are locked (which is equivalent to the factory setup) the front axles always spin regardless of whether 4x4 is engaged. When the hubs are unlocked, the front axles and driveshaft do not spin as long as 4x4 is not engaged. This saves wear and tear on the front driveline.
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
    Thats a cool idea. Where did you get them? That is the same setup my 88' Trooper had. I think it might help with fuel mileage as well.
  • troop2shostroop2shos Member Posts: 235
    Are you don't have an accessory idler pulley going out?
  • pshewardpsheward Member Posts: 11
    Approaching 60k on my 02 LS. Reviewing back posts I see that timing belt should be ok, and that I should have the trans flushed. What national chains are recommended? Jiffy Lube, AutoZone etc ????

    No major problems other then the TOD would not switch back off. Dealer replaced sensor n/c; and the drivers seat does not tilt forward all the way. Argued with original dealer and got fed up. Now am used to seat position and don't care.

    Will need tires by late fall. Any recommendations appreciated.

    Mobil One oil since 3k burns about 1/2 quart by 7k.

    Thanks
  • jimmyjimjimmyjim Member Posts: 5
    I use the Michelin Cross terrian SUV tires myself and I enjoy them. They are fairly quiet most of the time but make quite a bit of noise if they are turned hard at a low speed.
  • seanreidseanreid Member Posts: 152
    Ooh baby, baby...I just installed the two front OME shocks and they are just superb. I immediately took the Trooper over my usual rutted dirt road and the front end just ate it up. I should have the rear shocks on tomorrow. Thanks to paisan and others who recommended these, they're possibly the best car/truck shocks I've ever experienced. For those shopping shocks, I'd highly suggest skipping other options and going straight to these. The pain of the extra $100 (for a set of four) will fade in time but the shocks won't. My $10,000 Trooper is on its way to riding better than various $30,000 vehicles I've owned (Avalanche with Bilsteins was the previous champ). Still loving this bargain vehicle.

    Cheers,

    Sean
  • cobbocobbo Member Posts: 34
    Box, I also use the Michelin Cross Terrains....I'm on my second set now...had the first set put on in 10/02 after the accident in the Troop around 40k and just replaced them this month with new ones at 80k....they're rated for 65k but I was already down to 5/32" of tread....good news was since I'm very good about rotating my tires every 6,000 miles that I had no problem getting a pro-rated credit which saved me over $50 a tire (plus Michelin was running their $50 rebate for buying 4 tires) so when I replaced them I only paid about $500 instead of the $700 I had paid back in '02...as for T3 (my Troop)...he's doing well and approaching 82k...not bad for an '01 LTD....was almost amused when the Dealership called me this week after an oil change to follow up and see if I was ready to trade in & buy something new....laughed at the guy & told him I plan on at least another 2 years or so before I even consider it...*grin*...

    Hope ya'll are havin' a good day...
    -Cobbo
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
  • bawbcatbawbcat Member Posts: 118
    The Superwinch manual hubs that fit the 92+ Trooper are model number 400533. I got mine at http://www.summitracing.com for about $90. Search for part number SPW-400533. Installation was very easy. Just make sure you have a suitable large hex wrench to fit the hub bolts.
  • seanreidseanreid Member Posts: 152
    I got the "firm" nitrochargers. By no means are they too firm. I ordered from Rocky Road but am not impressed with them at all. When I placed the order (and paid for it) two months ago they said they had the fronts in stock and the rears would be in "in a few days". Two months later I was still waiting, called, and they finally shipped them. I wouldn't use them again.

    The rear upper mounts are difficult to reach w/o the Trooper being on a lift so I've going to have my mechanic do those on Tues.

    Sean
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    The dealer just called me to report that my problem is with the front driveline speed sensor.

    He doesn't think the sensor is covered under the powertrain warranty? Does anyone have any idea if this is covered or not?
  • sbcookesbcooke Member Posts: 2,297
    After several 800#s I got the answer to my question...not the one I wanted, the sensor are not covered by the powertrain warranty. It is going to be just over $300 part and installation another $172.
  • bsmart1bsmart1 Member Posts: 377
    Anyone else having this problem>>
  • doublesharpdoublesharp Member Posts: 32
    Like a cat urine smell from your ac vent? If thats it, turn your ac on and fan up. Set it for fresh air (not recirculate) and spray lysol anti-bacterial spray into the fresh air intake screen by the wiper blades. Let it run 5 minutes at least and as time goes by the odor should disappear. Use a scented lysol that you like. I like fresh linen.
  • bluedevilsbluedevils Member Posts: 2,554
    My impression is the Michelin Cross Terrain is the best SUV tire available for folks who do not take their vehicle off-road. However, I don't feel it is worth the premium price. I'm very happy with the Michelin LTX on our Trooper, stock 245/70/16 size. They have 56k miles on them now and still about 8/32" tread. In other words, they are wearing extremely well and should hold up until at least 80k miles with plenty of tread, at which time I will probably have them replaced.
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