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The 2001 (former rental) at $15K is a contender but I've also found a silver-gold 1999 with performance package, 26,000 miles and the much-coveted stock sunroof at a dealer in rural NJ for $16,300 (so far, we're still negotiating by e-mail). I ran a car fax and this was a one-owner private vehicle that began it's road life in Kansas and somehow found it's way to NJ as a trade-in. Never a rental, never went to auction, etc. It's under warranty only until July 2002 but I love the color and the sunroof. I also like the fact that it wasn't a rental and I'm willing to pay a bit of a premium to have that sunroof. Why the strong attachment to the sunroof? I'm a motorcycle guy and with that roof open, it's almost like driving a convertible SUV. And my fiancee's six-year old daughter absolutely loves that giant sunroof. (This is a kid who, after her first motorcycle ride, said: 1) Let's take the long way home. 2) I never want to ride in a car again.) So, I'm showing our car at lunch today and then I may shoot down to Newton, NJ on the bike this afternoon to look at the Trooper. Anyone on the list live down in that area? Wanna go grab a beer or give a second opinion on the truck?
Cheers,
Sean
Thanks,
Sean
The towing package is a frame mounted hitch. The best one I've found so far is the Hidden Hitch and JC Whitney sells it for about $125 + $25 for the wiring harness. Total install time is about 40 minutes max. I've towed 5500lb car trailers with it and today my dad is towing my boat from NYC up to the Adirondacks with it @ 3200lbs. for the boat.
I'm heading up there after work, but if you are in the NY/NJ area in the evening I'll be around.
-mike
-mike
He did mention there is a replacement for the Rodeo coming out in 2004 (2005 model), but never mentioned an actual replacement for the Trooper. :-(
My biggest issue is with the GM build quality.
-mike
http://wwwheels.com/cfapps/specials.cfm?custid=384
Print the ad (sorry it only mentions the S, not the $10k offer) and bring it to dealer to see if you can drive the pricing down a bit, even on the Neptune Dealer's Trooper? Just a thought...
Hope you find what you want soon....
Good luck.
Jim
I am planning to buy my next vehicle in 2006 or so, and I want it to be an Isuzu SUV, fun and off road able like the Trooper but with a turbo diesel hybrid configuration that gets 35 MPG and can still tow 5000# over a mountain (10 to 15 MPG while towing). I think this high MPG SUV will exist, but I am not confident that Isuzu will exist in the SUV market.
-mike
GM just bought another Korean company, maybe the clone will come from Daiwoo or whatever company they just bought.
Aztek rebadged.... a fate worse than death!
-mike
(It's on page 5)
http://www.fhdailey.net/inventoryvpc.html
Price was a bit high I thought, but i was in the area so decided to check it out. Im pretty sure it had the performance package (factory sunroof, folding mirrors etc). But I noticed under, tons of rust which I later found out after running carfax was due to its midwest pedigree. Sorta turned me off a bit. I know they have long anti-corrosion warranties but just knowing it's under there would give me an uneasy feeling.
So I'm still looking.... couple of decent looking ones in the papers the last few days, but no time to look cause I'll be taking the ol' troop up to the Sierras this weekend. Hope you finally find your trooper!!
Paisan... Do you (or anybody else) know when was the last year they offered a Silver Trooper? Not the champagne silver of the past couple of years but a real "quarter" looking metallic silver. I'm thinking the 98s.
Sorry for the rambling, but can't help it, these troops are the real deal!
-eric
-mike
My current trooper is bronze(champagne) so i want to go with something a little different.
If I go new, definately a Moonmist Gray, used...I don't know yet. Probably will be determined by the condition of the vehicle for sure.
-eric
The one you saw was probably either re-painted or was the lighting.
-mike
Jim
-mike
Are you sure about the 4WD 2002's S without TOD? That would be a shame cause I've seen the 4WD 02 S at the local dealers around 23K.
-eric
-eric
-mike
As for my own little shopping soap opera (and feel free to stop reading now...) A private buyer looked at my vehicle today and is very interested. She'll likely decide tomorrow morning if she's buying or not. Once that's sorted out, I'll head to NJ to look at this silverish Trooper.
Cheers,
Sean
http://carpoint.msn.com/autopricer/Tool.asp?Year=2002&Make=Isuzu&Model=Trooper&Trim=S%25204WD
-mike
I've been scouring the cars.com and autotrader websites everyday, but I'm finding that many used troopers are purchased at dealer auctions from returned leases. Not that the auctions are bad, in fact, I'm talking with an autobroker right now that I could go through to get to these Isuzu auctions. Would rather spend a few hundred for a broker fee than a few thousand to a dealer for the same car.
-eric
-eric
-mike
Sean
Most here seem to have either used the Rancho RS9000 or the Old Man Emu shocks. Both have high marks. I use the RS9000's because of the adjustability. Crank them up for real off-road, medium for on-road and soft for washboard dirt roads. I think they are fantastic. Great pricing at http://www.hotrodoffroad.com, about $250.00 for four. Sometimes Rancho has a buy 3 get one free deal.
Some have used the Edelbrocks but have noted a few problems with reliability (leaking shocks). I have Monroe's on my car since that was the only aftermarket available as a strut, however, they are fine. They are not the "sensa-trac" or "reflex" shocks.
I think most would agree that any shock is a vast improvement over stock. So, if you choose the Monroe's, likely you'll be happy. I think some have noted on various forums that the Monroes or Gabriels may not have the durability as some other shocks, that may be the most inexpensive versions.
The Ranchos carry a lifetime warranty.
My friend has Bilstein's on his, great for on road but very stiff. On rough roads, causes a lot of vibration in the vehicle. Are about $50 each for Trooper.
Tokiko (trekmaster) is another manufacturer for shocks. The stock shocks are Tokiko's, but are not gas shocks. The aftermarket Tokiko are also a good choice, from the posts. There has been a lot of good press on the Trekmaster and Trooper. Overlander recommends Tokiko for Trooper, however, it is part of an overall suspension kit.
Here are a few good links:
www.overlander.com
www.shox.com
www.explorerprocomp.com
www.gorancho.com
www.edelbrock.com
www.bilstein.com
One of the 4wd magazines just did a review of shocks for trucks. Probably could find it in the library or somewhere.
Anyway, I think this is a great way to buy a Trooper, or any vehicle. I'm assuming a corporate fleet vehicle does not endure the abuse of a typical Hertz/Enterprise-type rental vehicle.
We bought our 98 Trooper (1 year old and 7,000 miles) this way and saved about $4k off the best price on a new 99.
Just wanted to point out that some of the Troopers you guys are seeing that were purchased by dealers at auctions may have been corporate fleet vehicles, not rental vehicles.
1. Exterior and interior colors were exactly what I wanted
2. It has the wonderful stock moonroof
3. It is in exceptional shape, 26,000 miles, one owner trade in (verified by Car Fax) non-lease, non-rental
4. VG front tires, new rear tires
5. Everything worked, no wind noise from moonroof
6. It was time to conclude this search and just buy one, free time is getting scarce
Final price was $15,900. Not a bargain but not bad. I can live with it.
Rode down from VT to NJ on the bike yesterday afternoon, inspected the Trooper, drove it, signed papers, left truck there, slept, rode home. That I escaped the net of the gendarmes is a wonder and a blessing! Now we're going camping (if you can call a small RV camping). Tues I deliver my vehicle to the new purchaser in NH and then hopefully we'll go down and get the Trooper next weekend. In between I need to get a ton of tour research work done for Honda. Zoom, zoom, zoom...
If anyone's still looking there's a very nice 2001 grey S (25K, $15,500) in NH. It's the one I discussed previously and interested people can call me with questions (802-436-9853). As you know I'm not the seller and have no connection with the sale. But...it is a nice trooper and maybe someone here wants it.
The Hidden Hitch seems to be rated for 3500 lbs. using a conventional ball, did I read wrong? Is there another model I didn't see.
Thanks to everyone on the list who helped with my little oddysey. I've got maintenance questions for next week after I first go through archives.
Sean
I just bought and installed the Hidden Hitch on my 2001S about 4 weeks ago - I had tips from this group. I purchased mine at JCWhitney, my understanding was that their Class III was rated at 350lb tongue, 3500 trailer with a normal hitch hookup. If you install a weight distribution hitch, it increases to 500lb tongue, and 5000lb trailer.
The weight distribution hitch moves the weight to the front of the truck.
The Hidden Hitch I installed had 5 bolt holes that matched up to the frame, the directions also recommended you drill a 6th hole in the frame. I didn't as I'm only hauling a utility trailer, but I would if I was going to be pulling a 5000lb load.
-Kevin
I will be taking the truck into a new dealership because I feel that the service dept have done 1 too many tweaks.
Thx
kg
They handle better than the stock 684's, ride great, but are a little louder. It is noticeably slower off the line than with the smaller tires, but you get over it. A pleasant surprise, it seems to climb high speed freeway type grades better, because you can put it in 3rd gear where it will comfortably run at 65-70 or more due to the higher gearing. This eliminates the searching between gears that you get when in Drive. The speedometer is off a bit, but you get used to it(not a big deal - a non-issue). The gas mileage seems to be pretty much the same. And it LOOKS GREAT! These tires make the truck look soooo much more beefy.
Problems? Some.
You will need to get a suitable spare tire. This means that the stock plastic cover has to go. No great loss in my opinion. I think it looks better with no cover. I traded my unused 684 straight across for a good used 265/75 when I had the tires installed. They were happy to have a new tire.
Be careful on sizing!!! A number of people on this board are considering larger size tires, even larger than 265/75. You're gonna have problems! Although my tires have no problems in normal driving, I have zipped the drivers side tire on the inside fender flare a couple of times off road. This has happened when I hit an unexpected hole and compressed the suspension all the way. It doesn't hit hard enough to do damage to the tire or flare, but it does get your attention.
Some have considered going to tires as large as 285/65 or 305/70. With tires this size you are going to run into some potentially serioius problems. Simply jacking up the t-bars or adding stiffer t-bars will not help. The vehicle will still compress to the same level. It may take a harder hit to do it, but it will, nevetheless. It is going to compress until you hits the suspension bump stops or the tire, whichever comes first. In order to avoid this problem and retain full suspension travel, I believe you would need a body lift. That is not an option for most.
It's hard for me to imagine that anybody running 285/75 or 305/70's on a stock Trooper, as has been reported, has driven on anything rougher than a freeway without problems. If you go larger than 265/75 or possibly 275/70 (slightly shorter, I believe), you're going to have a serious degradation in almost all performance categories, with performance gains in none. It's going to be a SLUG with poor mileage and driving characteristics. Although you will have more ground clearance, you won't be able to take advantage of it without damaging the tires and fenders. But, it will look mean.
If I had it do all over again, I would definitely go with the 265/75's again. I might look at the 275/70's as some have done. I have not seen these on another vehicle, however. I would never go larger!
When I posted in the modifications thread I wasn't advocating going with very large tires, simply I was just informing others that it is possible to mount tires larger than 265s on a Trooper. I know when I was trying to decide what size tires to put on my Trooper, the assistance of others really helped me out.
As far as fit and performance issues I can only attest to what I've been told. I do have 265/70s on my Trooper and power loss is barely noticeable. I'm really picky in this matter as I had a Jeep before and hated the performance with tires too large. They looked great but performance sucked. Many others on the 4x4 wire forum are running larger (than 265/75) tires. Most are running a lift while a couple of guys are at stock height. I would agree that there would have to be some rubbing with 285s or larger as 265/75s almost look a bit tight to me.
My two cents would be to go with the 265/75s. 265/70s are great but still look a bit too short and power loss with the 285s would be more than most people would like. And the only gears that I've seen for sale, to regear the axles to adjust the ratios for larger tires, are sold through a company in Iceland.
My choices have boiled down to either the Bridgestone D693 in 265/70 or the Pirelli Scorpion A/T in 245/70. I don't want to go to a 75 series, so that rules out the larger Pirelli as it isn't available as a 265/70.
The 265/70 Bridgestone costs less than the 245/70 Pirelli here in Aus. But then again, that little Scorpion looks cute!
Not that I want my truck to look cute. Did anyone see the game last night? (Grunt)
On and off-road the extra 30mm of tread definitely helps.
-mike
-mike
Sean
How hard would it be to swap an entire used 3.5L engine into my manual 5 speed Trooper? Would the new 3.5L engine computer play nice with my manual transmission and other accesories?
I just had another attack of the tick. It makes me mad when it happens. I control it by changing oil, drive 500 miles, if still ticking change oil again... When the problem is gone it stays gone for maybe 10K to 20K miles. When it happens I get real unhappy and want to do something to make the tick go away forever. I don't think $3000 (installed) for new parts of the same design is a good value.
Thank You
BoxTrooper
I was following Steve’s (sdc2) Trooper on Elephant Hill (3.5). As Steve mentioned in his post, this is as far as I want to take my almost stock Trooper; however, it was doable, and I was quite amazed by how Trooper performed on the trail. I just wished I had larger tires like Steve had for crawling rocky sections and ledges. You can see Steve’s actions in my picture link below.
Dome Plateau (3). This was easy trail with beautiful scenery. No problem at all with stock vehicle.
Fins ’n Things (3.5 rating) had many steep up/downs. I ran this trail with complete stock Trooper last year (even with almost worn out original Duelers), so I knew I wouldn’t have any problems. But having extra 1.5” of lift and stiffer springs/shocks made a big difference. I’ve noticed that my front bumper/rear hitch receiver did not scrape where it did last year, and I had fewer bottoming out on the trail, also.
Link to my pics:
http://community.webshots.com/user/eiji_miura
Eiji
Can't the ticking simply be eliminated by adjusting valve clearance back to factory spec? This should be the simplest and cheapest option.
-mike
I purchased my Hidden Hitch from - where was it - Advanced Automotive? someplace on Paisan's Trooper link page - for $125 and $7 shipping. Really cheap. I think, though, they misquoted me on that - everyone else seems to have paid more.