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Comments
Shocks/Springs/bushings: Geez, you guys must not have been driving a 12-yo truck with hardly any springs/shocks left recently...lol. I suppose upgrading these will make an improvement...but the stock vehicle is already so improved over my old truck that I'm in no hurry to do these things. May consider a Ranch 9000 group buy though.
Tires: Mine are the Goodyear Wranglers. I have no big concern with them one way or another.
Wheelskin cover: Sounds like a XMAS list item for me too.
Plan on installing Waag front center bar. Best price I found so far is $185. Anybody know of a better deal?
Has anybody replaced their stock headlight bulbs? Any recommendations for type? Do you need to purchase at a specialty store/online...or would Trak Auto or Pep Boys carry them?
TOD/Power button: Couple days ago in the rain I was trying to merge...had TOD engaged, Jeep Grand Cherokee would not let me in (the fool!), hit power button and zipped on by him....sweeeet!
Happy Troop'n...Mark
Some high pressure gas shocks, such as Bilstein, can actually raise a vehicle slightly due to the gas pressure. I put Bilsteins on my previous vehicle (Blazer) and they raised it maybe a quarter of an inch.
Air shocks are a different animal altogether, they are designed to carry weight by using very high air pressure in the shock.
BTW, I have Old Man Emu shocks on my Troop, I like them alot and would recommend them if you want a firmer ride. Not adjustable, though.
http://www.outdoorwire.com/4x4/isuzu/tech/manualhubs/?
I got the hubs on line, I do not remember where, but if you do a search you will find several places that sell them for about 90-100 dollars.
The above article has tips for installing, and it was very easy. I think it took about 2 hours with serious lollygagging. I'm not even sure if the wheel had to come off, but I did jack it up and take off the wheel. One thing they understate in the article is that the hex nuts are a [non-permissible content removed] to remove. You can either put an allen wrench in them and whack on the end of the wrench with a hammer for 10 minutes x12 bolts, or you can use an impact wrench. If you have access to air tools, get a hex wrench socket and hit it with the impact wrench; it will be worth it. You could also have a shop loosen them for you, if one will do you a favor.
The hubs are permanently greased, I did not note how they seal, but you use RTV sealer when putting on the hub and when closing up the hub, so it should remain dry inside the hub.
I was hoping to see an increase in MPG, but it has been minimal, and I'm not certain if I felt a power increase due to the loss of parasitic drag, but at least the CV joints don't spend their time uselessly spinning all summer. As a bonus, I can now engage 4Wlo without locking the hubs, and it is very easy to idle my boat out of the lake and to maneuver it around the storage yard.
good luck.
-Ken
I’m currently buying synthetic blend oil at $1.99-2.19 per quart on sale (Castrol or Valvoline) for my Trooper, and Mobil1 synthetic for my 95 Ford Contour at $3.89 per quart at Target.
Anybody have any ideas how/where to save some money on fluids?
-mike
Also, you should have no ill effects from mounting full-range replacement speakers in the doors where the current crappy 6.5" woofers are located. I've installed Polk Audio EX602 speakers in 2 different Troopers (96 and 98). This is a two-way, full-range, $100 per pair speaker that sounds great and provided a noticeable improvement in my Trooper system's sound quality for a mere hundred bucks. There is no adverse effects that I can hear as a result of high frequencies emanating from 2 different locations (the Polks and the existing separate tweeters). I would recommend leaving the tweeters connected. They seem to sound okay, but the factory woofers sound pretty bad.
1) Jackaroo-Monteray gets wipers on the headlights (with washers)
2) 3rd row seating (standard)
3) E-code headlights of course...
-mike
-mike
We only have one kid and taking over 4-5 people max is not really an issue with me so I am in the group that feels though a third seat would be nice, I would not sacrifice all that great second seat legroom. That was one of the many important (to me) things that kept leading me back to the Trooper.
BTW, fellow Troopers, it's raining today in NW Arkansas and you can bet TOD is on and working! I'ts amazing how stable this thing is in the rain, even at 80+ on the interstate! Not only would I not have 2WD for myself again, after owning this Trooper...I could NEVER have conventional part-time 4WD either. Wouldn't really be that much of an advantage over 2WD for me.
Also, I have had problems over the summer with the a/c not cooling properly at higher fan speeds. There is a TSB for the a/c but no logical explanation of the problem. Anyone else have problems with the a/c not cooling at high fan speeds (temp from the vent at 55 plus degrees)? Took it into the dealer three times, everyone said "normal." My 1996 definitely worked better than my 2000.
Highway Milage (76mph cruise control in Northeast hilly Interstate Terrain) w/TOD Active and 37-38psi TP:
18-19mpg
Highway Milage (76mph cruise control in Northeast hilly Interstate Terrain)w/TOD Active and 32-33psi TP:
14-16mpg
Mixed City/Highway w/TOD and 37-38psi TP (I also have a very heavy foot, full throttle from light to light):
13-14mpg
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
I'm sure that they could stretch the current WB and widen it slightly to accomodate a V8 and a full 3rd row of seats.
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
On my 2000 LS, I didn't have any problems this past summer with the A/C in auto-matic mode cooling my truck in bumper to bumper traffic on Hot Humid NYC days. The dark tint on the rear section of the LS model may help and I did notice a slight improvement when I did 20% tinting on the front 2 (driver and pass) windows as well.
-mike
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
The way home I noticed some cold air coming from around the base of the windshield. It was through the mountains and pretty cold, so it was hard to tell if it was just airflow getting chilled by the windshield or an actual leak? There was no noise? It was very slight so I need to do more research. I know some trooper's have had windshield seal problems.
MPG averaged 17 on the highway and 13 with TOD cruising around town.
The Sequoia was pretty cool. Very powerful and quick. Handled great for a truck of its size. The 4WD and Vehicle Traction Control System were good also. I got to drive it by myself (since the dealer was understaffed), I found an unplowed parking lot to test it out. When I floored it and cut the wheel the truck just made a slow U-turn? I couldn't cause it to break free. I realized it was the traction control system. I disengaged it and it spun like a top. Overall a really cool system. The major drawback it that it costs between $40,000 and $45,000. My brother owns an Expedition and this vehicle blows that away. I still like my Trooper, but it would now is a toss up between the Land Cruiser and the Sequoia for dream truck.
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
-mike
BTW - Mike I was just in the greater Rochester area, I am back now. I have been in 10-12" of snow before with excellent results.
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
The problem with the Firstones was actually low Tire Pressure:
Firestone told Ford that they should be set @ 30psi, Ford posted on the pillar 23 or 25psi.
The problem is this:
Lower PSI = Softer tires, better ride, wider track on pavement, higher friction, higher heat
Higher Heat = more wear and tear on the tires, and eventual tread separation.
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
-mike
Somone on here posted a 40mph T-Bone collision, which totalled their trooper, but left them unscathed.
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
I am concerned about the fuel line leak in the 1998-1999. I have emailed NHTSA about trying to get the 1999 evaluated. Isuzu claims the 1998-1999 models don't have the same fuel line routing, which I don't completely believe. The 1998 Jackaroo crash test link didn't show any problems with a fuel line link. After scouring the crash test data I do feel better. Not many crashes result in fire, so even if you hit a stationary object offset on the drivers side, and after the crash fuel spills out, I am not that worried. I am concerned that Isuzu is not fixing the 1998-1999 models, I would like to see more from them.
It is possible the 1998-1999 models are different. For example, the 1995 models scored extremely poorly in crash tests, this was then greatly improved in 1997? Even though the skin hasn't changed the insides may have.
On the plus side, I've called them a couple of times and been treated nothing but great!
I also ordered a K&N air filter from them and got it in four days, exactly as promised.
This is not to say that overlander is bad. From my experience I'd order from them again. After all, you can't please everyone and the other two people may have gotten someone who either didn't care or isn't employed by overlander anymore.
The Catz 216's are indeed cool and I'd love to have them but I don't need their ultimate off-road capability and with a family I have to watch the $ a bit more:) so I'm going to have to stick with some Hellas from susquehanna and a Waag center guard for around $250 total. I'll be the first to admit, though, that the ECB bar and the Landmasters are the HOT ticket!
-Dave
-mike
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper
Did you ever get your mirrors fixed?
They replaced mine, still vibrates, but was told its normal.
Had a noise coming from behind the dash on cold mornings. Seems the fuel lines would vibrate on cold days, they fixed that. Seems more Troopers have the same problem. Had exhaust vibration, the replaced the muffler, but still does it when its cold. Was told this is a heat shield and is norm. Any comments? I might need to call the 800# and ask Isuzu for a list of what is norm for this flagship vehicle.
The fluttering some of us pinned down to the edges of the OEM bug guard. One of my corners was torn off, so I ripped the other one off and now no more fluttering noise.
The heat shield can be tightened if it vibrates that much, but I haven't had any problems with mine.
Definitely try a different dealer, I found that to be the easiest fix. The new dealer is quite caring and are excellent.
If you do call Isuzu, immediately ask for a supervisor, because the first level phone people are not of the highest quality!
-mike
http://www.iace.com/ia/trooper