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We loved our 96 but it was totaled so we upgraded to a 98. The 96 always seemed to have adequate power. That year all Troopers offered 190hp. From 92-95, some Troopers had 190hp and some had only 175hp. The 98 does have noticeably more power than the 96 but we don't really need the extra power for our purposes. We do not tow with the truck, nor do we off-road with it.
The 98+ models do offer the chance to get a full-time, on-road 4WD system. That is probably the major difference.
Note that in 98, Torque on Demand was part of the Performance Package. This means that a base Trooper S with automatic does NOT have TOD; it has the shift-on-the-fly system that was on earlier Troopers and that is on 98+ manual transmission Troopers. In later model years, TOD was standard with the automatic transmission.
One other thing: our 96 Trooper was EPA-rated 1 mpg lower than our 98. However, the 96 got about 1 mpg better overall than our 98 does.
Difficult rocky creek crossings, large steep water bars, and going over large rocks where you need to go really slow with a lot of control. If the need for low end power and precise vehicle contol is greater than the need for traction - I use 4 Lo.
I also use Lo range when going down steep slopes to take advantage of compression braking. The idea is to keep the vehicle from running away - and avoiding excessive use of your brakes. Maintaining a steady (slow) downhill speed without a lot a braking also prevents nose dive and keeps you from hanging your bumper on water bars, rocks, logs etc., on the way down.
Be very careful backing down steep slopes. One shortcoming of my Trooper (2000 S Auto w/ TOD)is even in 4Lo the vehicle tries to run away from you when you back off of a steep slope. Reverse 4Lo gearing is way too high for this situation. Pretty scarey to back off from a failed hill climb attempt. It takes pretty precise braking to maintain a reasonable descent speed and vehicle control. Too much braking and your wheels can lock up. Locked brakes mean you are skidding backwards down the hill out of control. Not enough braking and your vehicle careens backwards down the slope out of control. The trick is to get as much braking power as you can without locking up the wheels - getting on and off the brakes as necessary to maintain a controlled descent. Never let speed / momentum build up to the point where you lose control - and believe me it can happen fast with a 4000 lb vehicle on a steep slope.
4Lo is also a good choice for pulling out another heavy vehicle that's really stuck - especially if your vehicle is on solid ground. In this situation 4 Lo provides lots of low end power and great vehicle control. That said, I'm sure a lot of you have pulled out other vehicles with hi range / TOD.
-mike
Never let speed / momentum build up to the point where you lose control - and believe me it can happen fast with a 4000 lb vehicle on a steep slope
Excellent advice! I've been on some pretty steep terrain out here in the Rockies and, fortunatetly, never lost control. To say it would be a disaster would be a gross understatement.
tidester
Host
SUVs
Welcome to the crew!
-mike
The "Japan Specific" trucks are made by another company that Isuzu owns, I can't remember the name off hand. I will check the article.
We are planning another Pine Barrens run in Dec. also.
-mike
How easy is it to install shocks for the average do-it-yourselfer? I don't recall seeing any instructions on your site. Has anyone out there braved the task or know how to? Bilsteins are coming out with their new Touring shocks in November/December sometime specifically designed for Troopers 92-02.
Thanks...
Ted
-mike
Bottom line, in theory it is a very simple job. However in practice it can be annoying if not a downright frustrating knuckle buster.
-mike
December would be cool. Even better would be after a foot of snow. The pine barrens don't always get a lot, being next to the shore, but a lot of snow would be fun.
I do remember I had to borrow another socket from a friend to remove/tighten the front shock lower mount (didn't have two sockets the same size).
Thanks,
Charlie
Never mind the question. I found the answer. The above product is for leaf springs. The Trooper has 4 link coils ;-(
Charlie
-mike
-mike
I thought about doing it myself but Manny Moe and Jack offered to do it for $12 each. So
$48 later my knuckles were good as new and my shocks installed.
I did hang around and watch and it looked like a [non-permissible content removed]. But I am not real confident that the
kid mechanic doing it had much experience in shock replacement....
Don't really like letting guys like that touch my car but the price was right and so far
everything looks good.
As I said before the Edelbrocks are good so far, but were $$ at $69 each.
Thanks,
Robert
-mike
-mike
Thanks again,
Robert
-mike
Thank You
-mike
So it is really what you are looking for, I don't either is a bad vehicle. I can't say Toyota dealers are better, because all vehicles have bad dealers, but there are definitely MORE Toyota dealers out there.
-mike
-mike
Will jump back here as soon as I find out anything new. Have Fun!
Thanks! We'll look for you.
tidester
Host
SUVs
Other news. My engine tapping continues to quiet down with time and use. That Mobil 1 0W-30 seems to slowly be doing the trick. I thought there would be quicker results than this, several hundred miles now. The varnish levels must have been really bad. Anyone else out there tried this method to cure the problem? Any feedback? I still have the option of taking it back to the dealer service dept. before 60000 miles and see if they honor the warranty or not. I'm starting to waffle on that idea a bit. I'm not sure I want them to open the engine up, if they won't guarantee they can cure any remaining tapping noise. Happy Trooping !!!
Just thought I'd let you guys know.
Phil
-mike
The Trooper has much more usable interior room, a better ride, more power / torque, more towing capability, an awesome TOD system, great standard equipment on the base model, etc., etc. There are some killer deals out there right now on year end closeouts. I'm tempted to buy another one!
It was love at first drive. The dealer is acting like I stole it from him, but they always do. I think I did okay, but I'd like some other feedback.
I think you will be happy with your truck however. So good job and welcome to the owners group.
The real question is does it have TOD or not, in '98 it was optional. Also he gets the Dana rear end instead of the Isuzu 12 bolt.
-mike
I don't know if you did okay on the deal but upgrading your status from lurker to active participant was a fine move!
Welcome aboard!
tidester
Host
SUVs
North American production of the Ascender will start in September, with sales beginning shortly after. The Ascender will be a 2003 model, no details for how much the new vehicle will cost or what the annual sales target will be.
To view the details see:
http://www.auto.com/industry/iwird3_20011103.htm
As for 2001 models, around here there aren't any S trim levels to be found.
Basically in'98 the Performance package was equal to what is now the LS w/moonroof. the Luxury package = Limited.
I think you got a great deal IMHO, be happy, it's one of the last true isuzus.
-mike
On the positive side, there should be some awesome deals to be made on the last Troopers available. We'll all be driving classics or orphans, depending on how you look at it.
-mike