I ordered my Hidden Hitch from, oh, crap, Automotive Connections? Anyway, it came with a complete set of nuts and bolts and instructions (which were a bit difficult to follow - I guess because they are written with the dealer/installer in mind).
The hardware kit and instructions were shrink-wrapped into the receiver tube and I missed them for a few minutes... yours aren't still there, are they?
If not, I think your setup is incomplete, and I would be think twice about using the bolts from the frame accessories. The bolts that came with the hitch had marks on the cap which indicated to me that they were of a special grade or hardened. Also, one of the mounts (passenger side rear-most mount) will require a washer beneath one hole of the mounting flange.
The four wire connector will work for lights, but not for brakes.
I know this topic has been going on for some time but I'm in the dark here. I was just wondering why Isuzu doesn't make the 3rd row available over here. I'm sure it has been discussed before but I was just wondering why they don't offer them here. Is it a safety issue? My Bro-in-law has a Land Cruiser with similar seats. Can you imagine how many more Troopers Isuzu would've sold with those jump seats? They're really nice.
I think they would need to have tested them here and on such a low volume truck it wasn't worth it. US safety stuff is amazing, that is one reason the Trooper and TLC got discontinued, they were TOO strong for US stds.
I'll check the receiving tube tonight for the bolts and instructions. I had that thought yesterday, why is there shrinkwrap over the receiver, hmmmmm, then I had to chase down my 18 month old daughter as she decided to run down the driveway toward the street. Thought forgotten...
Thanks for the explanations on the 4,6,7 wire hookups. I purchased the 4 wire, and it should suit me fine as I plan to just haul a utility trailer.
Paison, that's your Trooper with the Hidden Hitch and Scorpion Tires in the picture. Is there a version of your bumper protector that has acts as an extension of the hitch so I can mount a bike rack there and clear the spare tire?
The other Trooper with the expedition roof rack: Is that the ECB expedition roof rack? How does it mount? Looks like a vertical full length mount on each side, is that the mount or decoration over the three individual mounting brackets? Also, how much wind noise comes with that roof rack? And how much extra fuel does your expedition roof rack equipt Trooper use?
The rack is an ARB rack. Very nice unit on a 97 Trooper. He built a spoiler for the front of it from some plexiglass from Home Depot. He did say that it reduced the gas milage and increased noise slightly.
As for the rear bumper protector if you are looking for an extension only, the do have extensions for bike racks to clear the tire, I've seen them in JC whitney etc. If you want the bumper protector and a place for the bike rack, you can contact matt @ http://independent4x.com and he can fab it into one for yah.
Paisan - great pics from your last trip! Looked like lots of fun. How did it feel to be that far off-camber in the Trooper? (My least favorite part of 4 wheeling) : (
Just how off-camber I was til I saw the shot. Although I did get out and run around to the side to see how it was leaning! And they say these trucks roll! pshaw!
Looks like a pretty bad accident, but the passenger compartment is fine with the airbags deployed...demonstrates good protection of the passengers and driver...
Got them e-mailed to me a while ago, and asked for a followup but he never sent it. Figured it was a good to show how well they hold up in a crash. I think he T-boned a ~70something Caddy @ 50mph.
Installed one 6 months after purchasing the 99 making it possible to sell the van. Build quality/materials are very good;the gray cloth is not an exact match but very close. As mentioned before, they will provide sample materials to choose from. I have the seat mounted front facing. They did not have the folding unit then, otherwise I would have gotten that one.
I would have expected more damage, like windshield shattering given stress on front end and supports. But jeez, this gives new meaning to the 'tough truck' label for the Trooper.
Scary thing is that it looks exactly like our '99 S. Same colors don't cha know... Good for my wife to see. She drives safely, but knowing how well the passenger compartment holds up in a significant crash will give a little extra piece of mind given we drive our little guys around in the Trooper.
My dealer casually mentioned that the 30k mile checkup on my Trooper 4x4, 99, will run about $800. I thought it'd be about half that. Anybody else done this recently and paid less than this?
All in all, not extremely pleased with their service. They only game in town though.
Check the manual, you may be able to only have the dealer do the items you can't do yourself, so instead of paying for a 30K service, just have them do the fluids, you can check the tire pressure and wiper blades yourself. It might make a cost difference if you only have 2-3 specific items done rather than the whole thing?
If you read into the crash test scores of the trooper, you will see that it is actually a pretty safe vehicle. There is footwell intrusion and steering column movement...but overall passenger space is well maintained. It may not be as safe as others in a head on collision, but also not a death trap, in my opinion. The IIHS and NHTSA are designed to inflict as much damage as possible, so all in all I think the results are decent, just not the best.
i saw many , many Troopers!!! they need a solid 4x 4 there, so the trooper is everywhere..we rented a Hyndai Gallopper, great suv..wow, i mean like really really nice..this is not sold in america..it was a diesel..anyone know why?
I've posted details on this board a while back of a collision in which my '96 Trooper t-boned a fairly new Cadillac Seville STS.
The Trooper was totaled, and the engine compartment was seriously compromised, but the passenger compartment was pretty much intact and I escaped this fairly serious accident with only a sore back.
Overall, I was quite pleased with how well the Trooper protected me. It's hard to say exactly how fast I was going when I hit the Caddy, but it was probably around 40 mph-- I was traveling 50-55 mph and swerved/slowed down when I saw him moving through the red light and into my path.
Hopefully I'll dig up my pictures soon and send them to paisan so he can post 'em on his web site.
Keep in mind that these are labs and only try to emulate real world. However, the 'roo compares quite favourably with a lot of other vehicles. The overall rating was "acceptable".
In fact this past weekend @ Uwharrie, the Jeepers that took at least 2 or 3 tries up a hill and held us up for 1.5hrs were saying in their best southern accent "Dang PeeeeeeeRellllllllissss, did you see him bob? he just walked right up that there hill!"
So far I have almost 10K miles and they are holding up well in 275-70-16.
Does anyone have the alignment specs. for a 98 Trooper. I just added OME springs/ cranked the torsion bars up, then went for an alignment and the shop can't seem to get the info from anyone, including the local dealer. It's in definite need as the original tires were wearing excessively on the outer edge. Any info would be helpful.
Um my guess is that the dealer just wasn't being helpful. Also might want to try using a different shop, the information is in the books for doing the alignment IIRC.
How could a shop not have this sort of information? It's not like a 98 Trooper is a brand-new, all-new vehicle. Find another shop, such as a frame/alignment shop, or a Goodyear-type place. I'm sure they will have the specs.
paisan is right-- the dealer definitely has this info, but they didn't feel like sharing.
Find a shop that doesn't need to rely on the dealer for information! That's pretty pathetic. If they offer the service, they should know how to do it without asking someone else.
I think the specifications are in the owners manual. I don't have mine handy, but will check tomorrow.
However I also think a quick trip through the yellow pages will save you some time. At least the shop was upfront with you and didn't do a service they couldn't perform, no matter how pathetic. It is important to find a shop that can align trucks too, the Trooper is very specific and sensitive in regards to alignment.
This is one [non-permissible content removed] of a car to get aligned right!
I've had mine aligned 5 times under warranty, and it still isn't right. The dealer was straight with me right from the start, saying that they didn't have the facilities for a larger vehicle and were sending off to a local Goodyear shop to have it corrected. The last two times, the Goodyear guys couldn't get it right either and the dealer won't pay them until it's spot on.
It has never been quite right and there has always been a tendency to steer to the side of the road, ie. follow the crown of the road.
The front left of the car rides 5mm lower than the front right. So it could be that the torsion bar has sagged. Also, the steering wheel has been off centre ever since the first alignment.
I got over the "follow the crown" tendency by running the front BFG tires at 38psi. This obviously has other follow on affects, like harder ride. So the non-standard tires may be contributing, but the off-centre wheel and sag surely indicate a real problem.
Oh well .... guess I will find a 4WD specialist and get it done there .... of which there are only 2 or 3 that are any good in Sydney.
According to my 99 manual...Front Alignment Toe in:(0 +/- 0.08in), Camber:(0degrees +/- 30'), Caster:(2degrees10' +/- 45'). There is no specification for the rears.
There is no rear alignment on a RWD based vehicle to my knowledge. As for the following the crown of the road, that is a result IMHO of the non-rack and pinion steering. Since we have the sturdier Recirculating-Ball style steering it has a tendency to follow the crown of the road more.
I bought the 87544 class III after I got my '00 Trooper. It had enough bolts and the holes lined up. I may have used the bolts from the tow hook as well...then again, the ones in the package might have been enough. You will probably need one flat washer between the hitch and frame where the tow hook came off, so check it good before tightening everything up. (If I remember correctly, I ended up with 5 bolts total attaching the hitch to the Trooper.)
I guess we're lucky with our 98 Trooper, because it has always seemed to drive straight, even though I've banged pretty hard against a couple curbs.
I had a 96 Merc Mystique, bought new, never went straight from day 1. Had it to 4 different dealers, a total of about 10 visits. Probably 3-4 alignments were actually done.
The problem was that even though the dealer was "aligning" it, they were not bringing the numbers back within the appropriate spec. So whatever they were doing, was not enough. I didn't get the actual numbers on my car's alignment until about the 4th alignment. I was able to compare the specs to my car's numbers. Even though the dealers were telling me the car was within specs, just about every number (camber, caster, toe, cross-camber, etc.) was OUT of spec.
Lesson I learned: It's very important to get the actual data. Find out what the numbers are and compare them with the specs. I wonder how the Goodyear shop could do the alignment, think it was right, and then have it not be right once you drove the truck?
I have Pirelli Scorpion ATs, had 'em for roughly 17K miles (um, about 27K kilometers I think). They look fine, but it is hard to say how many miles I will ultimately get out of them.
Last year at Moab I had outstanding traction, but the tires were only a month old. It will be interesting to see if there is any loss in traction this year.
They were on the front porch when I got home today. Correct part number, etc. (ordered from 4wheelparts.com last week after some posted about the buy 3 get 1 free, plus free shipping.) I had to call in the order since I could not get the web page to acknowledger the 1 free. Slight difference on the final invoice than what I thought it should be, invoiced the quoted total or $217.85 for the 3. Could not figure how they came up with that. I see now...I did not get free shipping, $10 shipping, $10 handling....I think the web order page has noted $5 handling fee.
I came out the almost the same as I would have with just the $5 handling and no shipping since they billed me $65.95 each for the 3 plus the $20 shipping and handling. So, technically $3 more than I should have been billed @ 3* 69.95 + 5 handling. Not going to even bother them with that minor a difference. Might have to crawl up under the Trooper and see about installing them tonight...at least 2.5 hours good daylight to work with. Can't wait since the bobbing and swaying in this high wind has been more noticeable lately.
sorry if this has been answered...i just couldn't find it. Wife and I are purchasing 2002 S model. I've heard a/c has a little trouble with hot days (85+ temp). I know tinting helps, but will this be a problem. We live in GA, not too bad in winter, summer's another story.
Shouldn't be a problem. In 01 they added an electric fan for the AC condenser which helps a bit. Tint will also help (which I believe is std on 02 S models)
AFAIK Hyundai Gallopper is almost the exact replica of the older Mitsubishi Montero that been discountinued in 1997(?). I think Hyundai got it lock,stock & barrel from Mitsubishi.
No Automatic Trannys, so I doubt it will ever be sold here. The Terracan has a better shot at being sold here. They sell the Galloper outside the US. The Diesel version gets rear leaf springs even.
The guy in the story mentioned that with ziebarting, there wouldn't have been rust through. This made me think about undercoating and dealer options. When you select the $600 option for undercoating do you think the dealer actually puts anything on the vehicle? Or just pocket the money? I never accept those items that are presented at the close of a sale, but just thinking about it.
Comments
Like I said .... it's monday morning!
PS...Very few people buy the auto diesel in Australia. Except in an LR Discovery, then it seems they are mostly auto.
If enough of you were to get together and do a bulk buy, then you will save a heap of money on shipping costs, etc.
These importers will already have the contacts in Japan and so should find it relatively easy to get this together.
I'll be doing the same here, to see if I can get the rear spoiler.
The hardware kit and instructions were shrink-wrapped into the receiver tube and I missed them for a few minutes... yours aren't still there, are they?
If not, I think your setup is incomplete, and I would be think twice about using the bolts from the frame accessories. The bolts that came with the hitch had marks on the cap which indicated to me that they were of a special grade or hardened. Also, one of the mounts (passenger side rear-most mount) will require a washer beneath one hole of the mounting flange.
The four wire connector will work for lights, but not for brakes.
I had all the bolts (and extras too) in the packaging for mine. On the 98>02 you don't need to drill the holes in the frame like on previous models.
-mike
-mike
I'll check the receiving tube tonight for the bolts and instructions. I had that thought yesterday, why is there shrinkwrap over the receiver, hmmmmm, then I had to chase down my 18 month old daughter as she decided to run down the driveway toward the street. Thought forgotten...
Thanks for the explanations on the 4,6,7 wire hookups. I purchased the 4 wire, and it should suit me fine as I plan to just haul a utility trailer.
Thanks everyone.
-Kevin
Jim
Thanks
Thanks
Warranty is 3/50K BtoB so you should be covered.
-mike
The other Trooper with the expedition roof rack: Is that the ECB expedition roof rack? How does it mount? Looks like a vertical full length mount on each side, is that the mount or decoration over the three individual mounting brackets? Also, how much wind noise comes with that roof rack? And how much extra fuel does your expedition roof rack equipt Trooper use?
Thank You
BoxTrooper
As for the rear bumper protector if you are looking for an extension only, the do have extensions for bike racks to clear the tire, I've seen them in JC whitney etc. If you want the bumper protector and a place for the bike rack, you can contact matt @ http://independent4x.com and he can fab it into one for yah.
-mike
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/zutrooper/vwp?.dir=/Yahoo!+Photo+Album&.src=ph&.dnm=Side+view+-+2001+trooper.jpg&.view=t&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/zutrooper/lst%3f%26.dir=/Yahoo!%2bPhoto%2bAlbum%26.src=ph%26.view=t
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/zutrooper/vwp?.dir=/Yahoo!+Photo+Album&.src=ph&.dnm=Front+View+-+2001+trooper.jpg&.view=t&.done=http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/zutrooper/lst?&.dir=/Yahoo!+Photo+Album&.src=ph&.view=t
-mike
http://isuzu-suvs.com/events/unf-04-26-02/ryan-pics/pages/B08_0840.htm
http://isuzu-suvs.com/events/unf-04-26-02/ryan-pics/pages/B09_0841.htm
http://isuzu-suvs.com/events/unf-04-26-02/ryan-pics/pages/DCP_0798.htm
http://isuzu-suvs.com/events/unf-04-26-02/ryan-pics/pages/DCP_0856.htm
-mike
http://isuzu-suvs.com/gallery/arek.html
-mike
They did not have the folding unit then, otherwise I would have gotten that one.
-mike
Scary thing is that it looks exactly like our '99 S. Same colors don't cha know... Good for my wife to see. She drives safely, but knowing how well the passenger compartment holds up in a significant crash will give a little extra piece of mind given we drive our little guys around in the Trooper.
Thanks for the update.
All in all, not extremely pleased with their service. They only game in town though.
Thanks,
Uni
If you read into the crash test scores of the trooper, you will see that it is actually a pretty safe vehicle. There is footwell intrusion and steering column movement...but overall passenger space is well maintained. It may not be as safe as others in a head on collision, but also not a death trap, in my opinion. The IIHS and NHTSA are designed to inflict as much damage as possible, so all in all I think the results are decent, just not the best.
-mike
The Trooper was totaled, and the engine compartment was seriously compromised, but the passenger compartment was pretty much intact and I escaped this fairly serious accident with only a sore back.
Overall, I was quite pleased with how well the Trooper protected me. It's hard to say exactly how fast I was going when I hit the Caddy, but it was probably around 40 mph-- I was traveling 50-55 mph and swerved/slowed down when I saw him moving through the red light and into my path.
Hopefully I'll dig up my pictures soon and send them to paisan so he can post 'em on his web site.
You can see the results of a Jackaroo crash test at -
http://www.mynrma.com.au/motoring/cars/ancap/car_rr_crash_anc_4wd_99_holdenjackeroo.shtml
Keep in mind that these are labs and only try to emulate real world. However, the 'roo compares quite favourably with a lot of other vehicles. The overall rating was "acceptable".
A lot of you have Pirelli Scorpions, and I'm not far from replacing my BFG's. Have any of you got any feedback on their toughness and durability?
So far I have almost 10K miles and they are holding up well in 275-70-16.
-mike
Any info would be helpful.
-mike
paisan is right-- the dealer definitely has this info, but they didn't feel like sharing.
Find a shop that doesn't need to rely on the dealer for information! That's pretty pathetic. If they offer the service, they should know how to do it without asking someone else.
However I also think a quick trip through the yellow pages will save you some time. At least the shop was upfront with you and didn't do a service they couldn't perform, no matter how pathetic. It is important to find a shop that can align trucks too, the Trooper is very specific and sensitive in regards to alignment.
I've had mine aligned 5 times under warranty, and it still isn't right. The dealer was straight with me right from the start, saying that they didn't have the facilities for a larger vehicle and were sending off to a local Goodyear shop to have it corrected. The last two times, the Goodyear guys couldn't get it right either and the dealer won't pay them until it's spot on.
It has never been quite right and there has always been a tendency to steer to the side of the road, ie. follow the crown of the road.
The front left of the car rides 5mm lower than the front right. So it could be that the torsion bar has sagged. Also, the steering wheel has been off centre ever since the first alignment.
I got over the "follow the crown" tendency by running the front BFG tires at 38psi. This obviously has other follow on affects, like harder ride. So the non-standard tires may be contributing, but the off-centre wheel and sag surely indicate a real problem.
Oh well .... guess I will find a 4WD specialist and get it done there .... of which there are only 2 or 3 that are any good in Sydney.
http://slamology.tripod.com/cars/trooper/
Great justification for a better than average maintenance regime!
-mike
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/images/products/instructions/87544.pdf
I bought the 87544 class III after I got my '00 Trooper. It had enough bolts and the holes lined up. I may have used the bolts from the tow hook as well...then again, the ones in the package might have been enough. You will probably need one flat washer between the hitch and frame where the tow hook came off, so check it good before tightening everything up. (If I remember correctly, I ended up with 5 bolts total attaching the hitch to the Trooper.)
-mike
I had a 96 Merc Mystique, bought new, never went straight from day 1. Had it to 4 different dealers, a total of about 10 visits. Probably 3-4 alignments were actually done.
The problem was that even though the dealer was "aligning" it, they were not bringing the numbers back within the appropriate spec. So whatever they were doing, was not enough. I didn't get the actual numbers on my car's alignment until about the 4th alignment. I was able to compare the specs to my car's numbers. Even though the dealers were telling me the car was within specs, just about every number (camber, caster, toe, cross-camber, etc.) was OUT of spec.
Lesson I learned: It's very important to get the actual data. Find out what the numbers are and compare them with the specs. I wonder how the Goodyear shop could do the alignment, think it was right, and then have it not be right once you drove the truck?
Last year at Moab I had outstanding traction, but the tires were only a month old. It will be interesting to see if there is any loss in traction this year.
I came out the almost the same as I would have with just the $5 handling and no shipping since they billed me $65.95 each for the 3 plus the $20 shipping and handling. So, technically $3 more than I should have been billed @ 3* 69.95 + 5 handling. Not going to even bother them with that minor a difference. Might have to crawl up under the Trooper and see about installing them tonight...at least 2.5 hours good daylight to work with. Can't wait since the bobbing and swaying in this high wind has been more noticeable lately.
-mike
-mike