a lot of new names showing up on this message board. Thats a good sign. Isuzu, are you taking notice?? One comment on the Axiom, its not hard to see why its a bust. The things are terribly small, and very overpriced!!
I have a question about the 01' models you new owners are picking up. I see someone got privacy glass with their S Trooper. I didn't know the S model was offered with darkened glass. Is it factory installed glass or was it tinted after getting to the dealer lot?
Question for you 96' & 97' Trooper owners. Do you experience a dip in your voltage if you accelerate quickly? I see about a 2 vdc drop from 14v to 12v. It's only momentary and recovers after a couple seconds. Dealer says it is there by design to give maximum acceleration capability to the 3.2L engine. Something about a clutch in the alternator and reducing load on the engine. It doesn't happen if the lights are on, which would tend to substanciate the dealers claim. Feedback please from 96 & 97 owners.
Other notes about the 97' since maintenance. The LSD noise is gone now. They added more treatment to the diffy and it took care of it! The whine is gone also since the ring and pinion replacement. The engine tapping seems to be gradually going away since driving a few days with 0W-30 Mobil one. If it continues to go away, this will be the only oil I'll use in the future. How are you new folks doing on oil consumption with your new Troopers? Keep a check on that oil level for the 1st couple thousand miles. Let us know. Anyone out there got a extra keyless entry remote they would be willing to part with for a reasonable price. I need one that will work with my 97' Trooper. I assume the programming instructions posted a couple pages back will work with any Trooper.??? Happy Trooping !!
to mention one other thing. My 01' Trooper window sticker listed "4 way adjustable captian seats" on the standard equipment listing. In fact, only the driver seat is adjustable as far as height and tilt is concerned. There are 2 knobs on the side that allow you to make some adjustment in the seat portion. Do any of you new owners with S model Troopers, have both front seats with manually adjustable seat bottoms?? Happy Trooping!!!
I'm in the Northeast/Baltimore area. Oh, one other quick question to anyone who knows. I don't have an owner's manual with the vehicle. What is the recommended octane for the 1995 3.2 engine? I usually use 87 for all my other vehicles, but does this vehicle require higher?
If you are in the Balto area, you should come to one of our Pine Barrens runs. We do em usually bi-monthly down in south New Jersey. Good fun, and relatively easy for newbies.
Have a 2001 Limited, my third Trooper, they have come along way from my first, a 1988. Using Penzoil synthetic oil, anyone have any experience with it and note any problems?
Also, can anyone tell me where I might get an aftermarket roof rack, the dealer said you can't get one on a Trooper anymore, is this true?
Could be. It did it (feels like the antilock brakes kicking in most anytime use the brakes) ever since I took delivery a couple of months ago. It was a demo with 5200 miles. I'll get it checked out. I presume (hope) that would be a warranty item. Thanks Paisan. -- Ted.
yep, they should be under the warranty. My dealer took care of mine on the 97' with 58000 miles on it. Your's should do the same. The fix on mine was having the rotors turned down. Don't know what your dealer would do.
New question for you CD operators. I have the 12 disc changer in my 97' and it works flawlessly. But, I have a devil of a time getting disc's in and out of it. I can't believe this is not covered in the owners manual. What is the proper method of getting those trays out of the stack? Each time I do it, I fear I'm going to break the disc holder. Happy Trooping !! ;->
The CD and paper copies are separate. The CD work shop manual w/electrical work book is $100. The paper copy of just the Workshop manual is $150, the electrical workbook is an extra $45. This is for a 2000 Trooper, not sure if there is a price difference on other years.
At 5,000 miles they should definitely be covered by warranty because they shouldn't warp so soon. At 58,000 miles I wouldn't expect them to be covered, so any dealer who covers them is being pretty kind.
I've heard very little about the Pennzoil synthetic, but most of what I've heard hasn't been real good.
armtdm will probably post some useful info, but since he hasn't done so yet, I'll give it a shot...
Synthetics have different types of formulations; they're not all very similar. I believe Mobil1 and Valvoline Synpower are PAO-based. PAO = "poly alpha olefin" or something like that. PAO-based synthetics are usually well-respected. Some of the more specialty, uncommon synthetics are ester-based. I don't remember which ones-- maybe Amsoil, Redline, etc.
Quaker State Synthetic has a decent reputation. Pennzoil and some of the others do not, due to the type of bases they use (don't remember what they are called). Castrol Syntec is scorned because it's called a full synthetic but starts with petroleum base stock, so most people don't consider it a true synthetic even though it is highly modified from those base stocks.
Most recommendations for viscosity on newer Troopers is 5W30, although the guys on the Synthetic Motor Oil topic in the Maintenance & Repair forum feel that 10W30 synthetic is thin enough where 5W30 is usually recommended. Plus the 5W30 has more additives than the 10W30 which are required to achieve the greater viscosity spread (not a good thing).
I am running 5W30 Mobil1 in our 98 Trooper.
Hope this helps, and don't take any of this as gospel.
Went to have the 15K service done to my '00 Trooper S, only to find that the dealer (Performance in Ellicott City, MD) had gone out of business! Any suggestions for a RELIABLE service dept. at an Isuzu dealership in the greater Baltimore MD or Alexandria VA area would be greatly appreciated. Anyone tried Al Packer on BelAir Rd.?
kctrooper, a number of us have purchased Yakima or Thule racks for our Troopers. Both have extensive websites with fit guides, pictures, etc. There are several back posts regarding this topic - check under "modifications / aftermarket accessories." Some of the posts have photos and installation tips.
I have a clamp on Yakima rack that accepts the full line of Yakima accesories - which is pretty extensive. Some of the more popular accessories are mountain bike brackets, canoes / kayak brackets, ski racks, and rooftop storage boxes.
When I'm not using my rack I hang it up in my garage. That way there's no wind noise and I don't have to wash / wax around it.
Some like the bolt on (permanent)racks better and have found aftermarket sources for these. I think there may also be a bolt on solution from Yakima and possibly Thule if you contact them. I believe they have bolt on tracks with removable towers that may work on a Trooper.
The Trooper has three threaded bolts on each side underneath the vinyl strips on the roof - so you don't have to drill to mount a permanent rack.
I use my Yakima rack to haul ladders, kayaks, a canoe, etc. and I travel in some pretty rough backcountry areas. I've never had a problem and I like Yakima's combination of fit, form, and function. I got mine at REI. There are also several web merchants that carry them. Good luck!
kctrooper one thing to consider when looking at the roof rack option is what are you planning on using it for. If it is for just the occasional item on the roof maybe a drill-in conventional looking rack is the way to go. If you are planning on hauling bikes, skis, canoes/kayaks or other large items on a consistent basis I would definately go with the Yakima or Thule rack. I personally have a Yak Rack and love it. There are pics of my rack on Paisan's website (finally Paisan got my pics posted - Thanks Paisan). I am the last entry on the right on Paisans owners gallery page http://www.isuzu-suvs.com labeled Terry's Isuzus. There is a good shot of the rack loaded at the bottom. Take a look and if you have any additional questions let me know.
Did anyone on this board do the Yakima conversion using the overlander bolt on feet? Let me know. I have a question pertaining to the process not covered in the directions on Paisan's site.
ECB puts out a heavy duty Aluminum Rack that is like 46mm in diameter bars, and 7mm mesh bottom. With Stainless Steel hardware. Seems like a very tough rack for the Trooper. Check em out on http://www.ecb-usa.com
I know nothing about their service department, but I had a very negative buying experience from Crystal Isuzu in Silver Spring, MD. They backed out of a deal we had made, tried again to back out of a verbal agreement we had on a different vehicle, etc. The internet sales manager was very shady.
Just telling the dealership to do the "xx,000" mile service is asking to be ripped off. Go through the list of services that Isuzu specifies in your owners manual. Decide which items you actually want done; as others have said, skip the unnecessary 'checks' and 'inspections'; these are of questionable value, and sometimes I wonder if a shop/dealer even does a thorough job on these. Then decide which items you can handle yourself.
Ask the dealer to do the rest, but be SPECIFIC with what you want done!
Mobil 1 & Amsoil are true syn.pao oils. Get the spec sheets on the oils, and look at the vicosity index number the higher the number, the better the oil, better stability.You can argue oil for hours but Pennzoil, Quaker State, Vavoline are not better oils than Mobil 1, Amsoil. Be aware of blends there is no set standard in the amount of syn oil mix with dino to make a blend. One drop and you can make the claim you have a blend.
I had a pulsating sensation when I braked. It started around 7500 miles. I didn't think much of it at first. Of course, it got worse. A lot worse. At 26,000 miles I had all 4 rotors replaced under warrantee. I paid for the pads to be done.
Can someone please shed some light on why Isuzu is apparently going out of business producing what I and some of you feel to be the best SUV value in America?
If I take myself as an example, I appear to be an auto consumer who has tastes similar to many Americans, and the motoring press, and a pretty good eye for outstanding vehicles in each segment. FWIW, I have a '96 Trooper S, a '95 BMW 3 series and a '97 Mazda Miata. Of course the BMW and Miata are considered to be the best in their respective classes, the Trooper not usually mentioned....
Why do Americans flock to Ford and Toyota to spend an extra $10k on Explorers and 4Runners and leave the Troopers on the lot?
As I have said before this truck has not let me down once in 95k miles. I would replace my '95 with a 2002 in a minute if Isuzu would have done the obvious and put a third row in the Trooper! For this oversight they may lose me to the competition, which would be sad. I regret the day I do not have an Isuzu SUV! But it may be coming.
Lets hope there is another Trooper and it is more Isuzu and less GM.
So, do we know something others don't? Or don't we understand the virtues of the Explorer/4Runner?
I am baffled about the Axiom too. I dig it. Oh and that VehiCross that took balls to make, kind of like the BMW Z Coupe....
You can thank the people @ CR and the Government for that. Troopers world wide have 3rd row of seats. Here they don't have 3rd rows because of government crash test costs and CR and others who would rip it apart. Since there are less crumple zones in the trooper (they use the other guys car as a crumple zone) there is no 3rd row here.
Why not just spend an extra $500-$700 and buy a little3rdrow.com seat? Also the next itteration will be bigger, wait til this spring/summer for the 03 Trooper before making a decision on your next SUV purchase.
The Trooper is a great value. Unfortunately, the sticker price is comparable to other SUVs in the segment. Nobody seems to realize that a Trooper can routinely be bought for $6000-$8000 below sticker price. Therefore, the Trooper's "value" is not realized by the magazine writer who evaluates the Trooper either by itself or in a comparison. The bottom line ends up being something like 'Trooper is long in the tooth and expensive for what you get' instead of 'Trooper is thousands less than the competition and built better to boot.'
I really wish the press would start comparing real-world, street prices instead of MSRPs. Some vehicles are barely discounted off MSRP (many Hondas) and others are usually heavily discounted (many American cars, Troopers, etc.). Value should be determined based on real-world price, not on MSRP.
The reason Troopers are so heavily discounted is because they are the last option on everybodies list of new purchases. After the CR criticism of the Troppers handling Isuzu failed to respond technically. Instead they went to court and drug the battle out for years - basically, CR came out of this battle the winner. As a former subsubscriber to CR you have to understand that they hate SUV's to begin with - add in a tippy suspension and you got the kiss of death. If Isuzu had responded to the suspension issue like they just did on the faulty fuel line - they would have come out alot better. Isuzu eventually widdened the track and some posts suggested they also lowered the body in 98 - however, it is a frequent issue on this board on how to firm up the suspension. We accept this fault because we recognize the many positive features - especially quality that the Trooper represents - also we can beef up the ride easily enough. But in the future, don't argue - fix the problem - tell the consumer what you have done - demonstrate the improvement and get on with it. But on the other hand I got a great deal on an outstanding vehicle that I really love.
Isuzu isn't really an SUV maker. Their core market is Diesel Engines, and Mid-size Commercial Trucks. Every med-duty GMC box truck you see in the US is just a re-badged Isuzu, as well as the Duramax Diesel line. SUVs are just a sideline of Isuzu.
No matter how Isuzu had responded, significant damage would have been inflicted simply by the publicity alone. It's just like in court (at least on TV) when an attorney sneaks in an inappropriate comment, the other attorney objects, the judge sustains the objection-- well, the damage has already been done. The jurors have heard the comment, and there's no way they can ignore it.
No matter how many times I told my dad that there was nothing to worry about re: the Trooper's safety, he always felt a little uneasy. That's not something that can be undone, not with a huge marketing blitz not with a total legal victory, not with anything.
At the time of the CR article I owned a 1992 Trooper and Isuzu Corp mailed me a video explaining why the CR was in error. The video showed the different angles that the various test vehicles were driven thru and that the Trooper was driven around the test course at a lot sharper turn then the other vehicles. I felt at that time that Isuzu cared enough for their present customers that they would send a video to each owner to counter that CR story. I have owned 3 Troopers since 1987 and each has been better then the last one owned and the first one was excellent for 180,000 miles
I too have a copy of that video. If any one is interested I can put it in a digital format and send it to you. I am sure I could burn it onto a CD no problem. If you want one let me know and I'll send it to you!
IMHO, there is no way to "beat" the press, including CR at their own game. Isuzu should have simply come out the following year with an updated model or at least with noted changes to suspension and demonstrated handling capability in TV commercials and by offering test drives on the new updated model to Motor Trend, Car and Driver and Road & Track. Look what Ford has been able to pull off with a new updated 2002 Explorer model without Firestones! Not to mention, that I have never seen an Isuzu commercial bragging about the Trooper's exceptional off-road ability. Consumers remember stuff like the recent Nissan commercials of a Pathfinder in the bullfighting arena or the Xterra going up the side of a sand dune for some sand surfing. From what I have read, the Trooper beats these two Nissan vehicles hands down in off-road ability. But I bet most consumers think that the Nissans are superior...just from having it drilled into their heads every night at prime time. How about customer satisfaction polls.... No doubt, Isuzu has built a quality vehicle in the Trooper with its' vault-like construction. Unfortunately, the list goes on and on how Isuzu has failed in the marketing arena.
Isuzu does not sell (in the U.S.), build, or have the capacity to build enough consumer vehicles to justify any significant marketing expenses. Yes, they could and probably should spend a little more than they do. But to think that they should be spending as much, or even half as much, to market/advertise their SUVs as Nissan does to market its SUVs, is simply unrealistic.
IH is another company that make a tough SUV for a while as a side line. They stopped making SUVs before the term SUV even existed, but those tough IH Scouts are still out there and they are classics now. Maybe the Trooper will end up like the IH Scout. We will be proud owners of classic Troopers for decades to come.
..
BTW I installed the OME springs and shocks yesturday. Big difference in reduced body roll. I attribute the difference to the springs even though I installed the OME shocks and sway bar bushings ( http://suspension.com/s.b.bushings.htm ) at the same time. The old sway bar bushings are thin rubber that could not have had much "give" so I do not understand how the poly bushings can make much difference by taking out that "give". The shocks seem softer in the front than the aftermarket Tokico gas shocks I took off.
Ok guys, I've got some questions about the TOD drivetrain ('01 troop). First, can TOD clutch or clutches (not sure) burn out or Loosen like a LSD? Second, how does center diff lock in lo. Does it bybass clutch? Finally, auto transmission seems to offer some sort of intelligent braking during steep grade descents. What(& how)is this occurring? Thanks, Mark P
I would think the TOD T-case could in theory wear out like an LSD clutch. Although it's electromagnetically controlled and I don't think there is as much of a wear and tear element.
When you shift the vehicle into 4wd Lo range. It locks in the T-case at a 50/50 torque split. This is the center locking diffy-like feature. This is also the same as the 4wd-lo range found in the Rodeo/Amigo/MT Trooper.
The '00-'02 AT tranny detects when you are going down hill (speeding up w/o your foot on the accelerator) and will downshift to a lower gear to apply engine breaking. This only occurs when you have your foot off the gas. I think this also came in when they implemented the drive by wire feature.
Mike, So do think 4lo is truly locked ir just max clutch resistance. Is 4 low on troop w/ TOD like a rear axle w.LSD and 4 low w/o TOD like a locked rear. Just trying to make sure that TOD doesn't diminsh off road capability. Mark P
when you put it in 4wd Lo, w/ TOD, the TOD is not active at all. It locks the torque in at 50/50. TOD becomes in-active.
So basically when a TOD equipped vehicle is put in 4wd lo, you essentially have the same mechanical system as a PT 4wd system, locking in the torque at 50/50. Tod is only active in the high gear setting, that is the only time it is variable tourque to each axle.
I've wheeled mine down in Uwharrie, and the TOD worked excellent. I used 4wd Lo for some of the more difficult stuff, and have been kicking myself ever since I did that cause I should have used TOD. For instance in a situation where you are in deep mud, and are spinning in 4wd hi on a normal vehicle, the TOD system will take power away from the front wheels when spinning, and "pulse" it from front to rear. I've used this successfully in mud and snow to inch my way up steep hills because the front wheels would: Grab-Spin-Grab-Spin-Grab-Spin-Grab all by simply depressing the gas pedal.
Hey all! New member! I'm selling my Subaru so I can buy a used Trooper right now, and I have been reading alot of good information on this board. I was hoping I could get some of your opinions to help decide what year/model I should buy. Right now I'm looking at 98 or newer because of the bigger engine and TOD, but I would love to go for a cheaper 95-97 if there is a way to get more power out of the engine. Has anyone tried a better ignition, like Jacobs, for more power/mileage? And what about easy upgrades like cold-air intakes, chips, etc? Any luck with that? It looks like 98 and up is the way to go. Are there any good reasons to go for an older one (besides the price)?
Also, if anyone in the Seattle/PNW area is interested in a red 2000 Legacy GT wagon, check out http://www.geocities.com/jeremyseattle. The price will be going down soon.
That is the car I had a deposit on before I got my 2000 Trooper LS. The GT just didn't have enough torque to tow a 2000lb boat + 4 guys + camping gear so I opted for the Trooper. I have an '88 XT6 subaru also.
I'm actually trying to cut costs by getting a Trooper, but it will also be a better choice for me in the long run since I want to buy a home and I also plan on getting a boat. 5000 lbs towing definitely beats 2000 lbs! I love the GT and Subarus in general (my girlfriend has a 2001 Impreza RS), but my car just costs too much. I'm sure I'll miss the car, but I'm sure I'll love the Trooper, judging from the passion and attitude of present Trooper owners.
4 Lo also has a different gear ratio. You get 2.48 to 1 from the center differential. I prefer 4 Lo in deep sand. The front wheels grabbing and ungrabbing really slows it down. However, I have been in up to 12" of snow in TOD without a problem.
Last winter I left work late one night during a snow storm. About 2' of snow and 3' drifts. The trooper with TOD busted through the drifts like a champ. With no one else on the road it was great fun.
Comments
-mike
I have a question about the 01' models you new owners are picking up. I see someone got privacy glass with their S Trooper. I didn't know the S model was offered with darkened glass. Is it factory installed glass or was it tinted after getting to the dealer lot?
Question for you 96' & 97' Trooper owners. Do you experience a dip in your voltage if you accelerate quickly? I see about a 2 vdc drop from 14v to 12v. It's only momentary and recovers after a couple seconds. Dealer says it is there by design to give maximum acceleration capability to the 3.2L engine. Something about a clutch in the alternator and reducing load on the engine. It doesn't happen if the lights are on, which would tend to substanciate the dealers claim. Feedback please from 96 & 97 owners.
Other notes about the 97' since maintenance. The LSD noise is gone now. They added more treatment to the diffy and it took care of it! The whine is gone also since the ring and pinion replacement. The engine tapping seems to be gradually going away since driving a few days with 0W-30 Mobil one. If it continues to go away, this will be the only oil I'll use in the future. How are you new folks doing on oil consumption with your new Troopers? Keep a check on that oil level for the 1st couple thousand miles. Let us know.
Anyone out there got a extra keyless entry remote they would be willing to part with for a reasonable price. I need one that will work with my 97' Trooper. I assume the programming instructions posted a couple pages back will work with any Trooper.??? Happy Trooping !!
Base: F<->R
Back: F<->B
They count ever direction. That is how you get 8 way on the drivers seat
Base: F<->R
Height Front: U<->D
Height Rear: U<->D
Back: F<->B
-mike
-mike
-mike
-mike
http://isuzu-suvs.com
Also, can anyone tell me where I might get an aftermarket roof rack, the dealer said you can't get one on a Trooper anymore, is this true?
Thanks.
-mike
New question for you CD operators. I have the 12 disc changer in my 97' and it works flawlessly. But, I have a devil of a time getting disc's in and out of it. I can't believe this is not covered in the owners manual. What is the proper method of getting those trays out of the stack? Each time I do it, I fear I'm going to break the disc holder.
Happy Trooping !! ;->
http://www.helminc.com
armtdm will probably post some useful info, but since he hasn't done so yet, I'll give it a shot...
Synthetics have different types of formulations; they're not all very similar. I believe Mobil1 and Valvoline Synpower are PAO-based. PAO = "poly alpha olefin" or something like that. PAO-based synthetics are usually well-respected. Some of the more specialty, uncommon synthetics are ester-based. I don't remember which ones-- maybe Amsoil, Redline, etc.
Quaker State Synthetic has a decent reputation. Pennzoil and some of the others do not, due to the type of bases they use (don't remember what they are called). Castrol Syntec is scorned because it's called a full synthetic but starts with petroleum base stock, so most people don't consider it a true synthetic even though it is highly modified from those base stocks.
Most recommendations for viscosity on newer Troopers is 5W30, although the guys on the Synthetic Motor Oil topic in the Maintenance & Repair forum feel that 10W30 synthetic is thin enough where 5W30 is usually recommended. Plus the 5W30 has more additives than the 10W30 which are required to achieve the greater viscosity spread (not a good thing).
I am running 5W30 Mobil1 in our 98 Trooper.
Hope this helps, and don't take any of this as gospel.
I have a clamp on Yakima rack that accepts the full line of Yakima accesories - which is pretty extensive. Some of the more popular accessories are mountain bike brackets, canoes / kayak brackets, ski racks, and rooftop storage boxes.
When I'm not using my rack I hang it up in my garage. That way there's no wind noise and I don't have to wash / wax around it.
Some like the bolt on (permanent)racks better and have found aftermarket sources for these. I think there may also be a bolt on solution from Yakima and possibly Thule if you contact them. I believe they have bolt on tracks with removable towers that may work on a Trooper.
The Trooper has three threaded bolts on each side underneath the vinyl strips on the roof - so you don't have to drill to mount a permanent rack.
I use my Yakima rack to haul ladders, kayaks, a canoe, etc. and I travel in some pretty rough backcountry areas. I've never had a problem and I like Yakima's combination of fit, form, and function. I got mine at REI. There are also several web merchants that carry them. Good luck!
-mike
Ask the dealer to do the rest, but be SPECIFIC with what you want done!
Phil
apparently going out of business producing what I
and some of you feel to be the best SUV value in
America?
If I take myself as an example, I appear to be an
auto consumer who has tastes similar to many Americans, and the motoring press, and a pretty good eye for outstanding vehicles in each segment.
FWIW, I have a '96 Trooper S, a '95 BMW 3 series and a '97 Mazda Miata. Of course the BMW and Miata are considered to be the best in their respective classes, the Trooper not usually mentioned....
Why do Americans flock to Ford and Toyota to spend an extra $10k on Explorers and 4Runners and leave the Troopers on the lot?
As I have said before this truck has not let me down once in 95k miles. I would replace my '95 with a 2002 in a minute if Isuzu would have done the obvious and put a third row in the Trooper! For this oversight they may lose me to the competition, which would be sad. I regret the day I do not have an Isuzu SUV! But it may be coming.
Lets hope there is another Trooper and it is more Isuzu and less GM.
So, do we know something others don't? Or don't we understand the virtues of the Explorer/4Runner?
I am baffled about the Axiom too. I dig it. Oh and that VehiCross that took balls to make, kind of like the BMW Z Coupe....
Why not just spend an extra $500-$700 and buy a little3rdrow.com seat? Also the next itteration will be bigger, wait til this spring/summer for the 03 Trooper before making a decision on your next SUV purchase.
-mike
I really wish the press would start comparing real-world, street prices instead of MSRPs. Some vehicles are barely discounted off MSRP (many Hondas) and others are usually heavily discounted (many American cars, Troopers, etc.). Value should be determined based on real-world price, not on MSRP.
-mike
7:00-8:00pmPT/10:00-11:00pm ET
Click on the link at the top of the page.
KarenS
Host
Owner's Clubs
Also check out http://isuzu-suvs.com/im
-mike
No matter how many times I told my dad that there was nothing to worry about re: the Trooper's safety, he always felt a little uneasy. That's not something that can be undone, not with a huge marketing blitz not with a total legal victory, not with anything.
I have owned 3 Troopers since 1987 and each has been better then the last one owned and the first one was excellent for 180,000 miles
-mike
..
BTW I installed the OME springs and shocks yesturday. Big difference in reduced body roll. I attribute the difference to the springs even though I installed the OME shocks and sway bar bushings ( http://suspension.com/s.b.bushings.htm ) at the same time. The old sway bar bushings are thin rubber that could not have had much "give" so I do not understand how the poly bushings can make much difference by taking out that "give". The shocks seem softer in the front than the aftermarket Tokico gas shocks I took off.
-mike
I would think the TOD T-case could in theory wear out like an LSD clutch. Although it's electromagnetically controlled and I don't think there is as much of a wear and tear element.
When you shift the vehicle into 4wd Lo range. It locks in the T-case at a 50/50 torque split. This is the center locking diffy-like feature. This is also the same as the 4wd-lo range found in the Rodeo/Amigo/MT Trooper.
The '00-'02 AT tranny detects when you are going down hill (speeding up w/o your foot on the accelerator) and will downshift to a lower gear to apply engine breaking. This only occurs when you have your foot off the gas. I think this also came in when they implemented the drive by wire feature.
-mike
So basically when a TOD equipped vehicle is put in 4wd lo, you essentially have the same mechanical system as a PT 4wd system, locking in the torque at 50/50. Tod is only active in the high gear setting, that is the only time it is variable tourque to each axle.
I've wheeled mine down in Uwharrie, and the TOD worked excellent. I used 4wd Lo for some of the more difficult stuff, and have been kicking myself ever since I did that cause I should have used TOD. For instance in a situation where you are in deep mud, and are spinning in 4wd hi on a normal vehicle, the TOD system will take power away from the front wheels when spinning, and "pulse" it from front to rear. I've used this successfully in mud and snow to inch my way up steep hills because the front wheels would: Grab-Spin-Grab-Spin-Grab-Spin-Grab all by simply depressing the gas pedal.
-mike
Also, if anyone in the Seattle/PNW area is interested in a red 2000 Legacy GT wagon, check out http://www.geocities.com/jeremyseattle. The price will be going down soon.
-mike
-mike