Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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http://isuzu-suvs.com/images/99trooperwarranty.PDF
-mike
10/120K Powertrain
at least til they dropped the warranty to like 7/75 or something.
-mike
thanks.
Also getting pissed about resale - ahould have thought about it more, but I got an 02LS about 1.5yrs ago for like 10k off sticker and thought a swang a pretty good deal, but i'm already like 4k upsidedown! Good thing i like the truck (even though the wife won't let me drive it much) cause it'll take me another 2yr probably to get back on-top of it.
BTW - up around 25k - and absolutly no probs to speak of. Just got back from a 4 day rd trip, averaged about 20mpg on the hwy - but truck did awesome, huge and comfy as always - still luvin that huuuuge sunroof!
I have mine in monotone grn - and getting tired of the look, whats the advice on getting a painter to tan up the bottom for a two-tone look like most other troopers?
IIRC all are the Ventshade brand. I haven't done a set on my Trooper so I cannot give you a model number.
AFAIK most manufacturers use such tape to apply things like door trim pieces. I guess the final key is to ask yourself how many cars you have seen that are missing one or more such trim pieces or window deflectors. If the answer is none then the system should probably work in your area.
http://www.jcwhitney.com
http://www.suspension.com
I haven't replaced shocks/springs/swaybars, but a lot of regulars here have. Rancho 5000/9000 shocks seem pretty popular.
Great MPG. Is yours RWD or 4WD? I get about the same mileage as you with my '01 RWD Troop.
I'm sure someone on this board (in your area) could suggest a good body shop. IMO, though, you might want to wait a bit. The paint on the plastic fender extensions chips pretty easily, and unless you do much off-roading, you will probably want to repaint them after they get crappy looking.
I personally prefer the monochrome treatment, 'cause it distinguishes the LS from the less expensive, lesser equipped S version. Never understood why the top-o-the-line Limited had the same paint scheme as the base model S version. Seems a strange image mix to me, but that's just my 2CW. BTW, the Acura SLX (a now defunct Trooper clone) only came in a monochrome paint scheme, for what that's worth.
Dave
In '01 they offered an "Anniversary" edition that came in a monotone White, with silver running boards, Nagamichi Stereo, "Limited" style wheels, and IIRC (but don't quote me on this) Leather interior. The Moonroof however was still optional.
-mike
PS: The color was Alpine White Pearl
As for sway I progressively improved mine by first adding poly bushings (4K) and was amazed at how much they improved the handling - easy do it yourself job. Next I installed Rancho 5000 gas shocks (10K) - another great improvement - but the clincher was installing 265-70-16 tires (43K) - the wider track and wider footprint really steadied things out. Also gives the Trooper a beefier look and a wider track appearance from the rear - the tire sticks out slightly past the mud flap on the rear - the factory mud flap with its outside edge angled inward made the Trooper look a little bow legged - not now.
I also found that there was a monotone Limited offered in '01. It was the "Gold Package" option, which included gold mesh LS-style wheels, gold badging, and a single-color paint scheme (apparently in any available color).
The smoke acrylic models are actually called "Ventvisors", IIRC "Ventshades" are what they call the metal screw-in models.
I have had Ventvisors on my past 3 trucks, and also my wifes last 2 cars with no problems. The Axiom looks great with them and they are very functional as well. The 3M tape used will hold! Just make sure you clean the area well with the alcohol pads provided and position exactly where you want it. Once they stick on there's no time for adjustment. Should set you back about $60 if you shop around.
Also, the 2-tone S and Limited were different, and the Limiteds got the chrome/silver mirrors while the S got black and LS got body color.
-mike
As weather getting colder here in MD (except last 3 days) I probably should not install it when temp is below 50F.
Also - I have ventshade stick on window shades as well and they work fine - had one crack in me, so I'm going to have to replace it though - wonder how hard its going to be to get it off and the the old tape off??
I can't wait to get new tires - i hate the Bridgstone M/S's i have on there now. Just too loud and ride pretty hard - although they did kick butt this summer in the mtns. Definately will upsize - do the 265's fit OK on the stock rims?
-mike
Jim
What I want to know is what fits in that indentation on the right side of the steering column!
-mike
Those nylon sway bar bushings are a very good fix for sway issues, and the price is dirt cheap!
Someone had asked about my mileage since I replaced my IAT sensor with the resistor known as the 20+HP mod. Well....the jury's still out, but I believe my mileage is slightly BETTER! I did take a trip in the Ozarks this past weekend and the performance was much better than usual. Change in elevation was from 600ft. to 2200ft. several times. It was quite warm for this time of year (we're setting record high temps) but the Trooper didn't seem to act like it was. The pep was there as I described before. What a cheap mod. to get such improvement. I believe it's already paid for itself.
The Luxury Package was = to the Limited in '00-'02
On a side note, I got a CEL the other night, and just happen to get my scanner the next day. Pulled the code. Catalyst In-effeciency in both banks. Looks like I need cats.
-mike
I almost purchased an S in silver, but thought it looked too much like a suburban-NYC type thing. I really wanted the weird, lightish green, but my dealer had none and the $7,000 off list deal they offered applied only to models in stock.
I am told the little indentation on the right side of the steering column is for coins commonly used for tolls in Japan. Maybe this is not so but that's what someone told me a couple of years a go.
Maybe it's for Life Savers?
-mike
Also, on the S and Limited models the vehicles had the two-tone treatment, while the Ls model had the monotone treatment. There were other differences too such as the heavy, metallic tinitng of the rear windows on the higher priced models.
I seem to recall there was a performance package available with the 98 (or maybe 99) Trooper S which would have replaced the Part Time 4WD I have with the TOD system, but to my knowledge in 1998 there were 3 distinct Trooper models. I went to Sholz in White Plains, NY and Alfredo's in Mamaroneck, NY (out of business now I believe) and Otto in Albany, NY and they all had the three different models.
I'll find and look at the brochure in the next week when I get downstate again and refresh what coould be a failing memory. Anyway, this is what I recall.
As for my 2c in the quick poll on the slot to the left of the steering wheel, I use mine to hold credit cards (gas cards), passes to amusement parks, and other assorted business card size stuff....and like others, I have absolutely no idea what to use the finger size indent for to the right of the steering column...
Also, adding to the debate awhile back about deteriorating fuel economy with increased mileage, I must confess to be seeing some of that...whereas I used to average 15 mpg (sometimes as lucky to get 16.5), it has been months since I've seen those figures and I'm now lucky to average 14mpg (generally in the high 13.something)...but as least my Troop doesn't suck any oil...
Finally, as a service update, T3 is doing fine....just passed the 66k mark, so looks like he should last a while longer yet...no real problems as of late, although when in for the most recent oil change they did find a cracked cover on the transmission which was replaced under warranty...aside from that, it's been smooth sailing....
-Cobbo
Re: Quick Poll. I'm ashamed to say my pocket holds a constant supply of Marlboro Lights. Soft pack is a perfect fit. Hard pack requires effort. About twice a year I try to quit and after a week or two serving duty as a gum holder cigarettes seem to magically reappear in the Trooper's pocket.
-dave
It has burned 1 quart every 2,500 miles since birth. I change the oil every 5,000 miles (5W-30 dino) and add a quart at each half way mark. At 106,000 miles the engine runs like new. The only issue that I've had that may be related to excessive oil usage is an EGR valve replacement at around 75K miles.
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6580&sid=17- 3&n=156
Suzuki, Isuzu and Mitsubishi SUVS have been abused in CR publicity stunts. I hope they lose big enough to stop falsifying results. I would love for them to be required to print a disclaimer declaring their willingness to decieve the readers and trash products to make a buck.
My truck just turned 66K miles.
-mike
The next step up in equipment was the Performance Package, and the Luxury Package could be added on top of that. The term “model” doesn’t have exactly the same meaning to everyone, but a 1998 Trooper with Performance Package is not a model; it’s a Trooper, S model, with the Performance Package option package.
One way to clear this up is to consider how does a state’s department of motor vehicles look at it. Well, our ’98 Troop Performance Pkg is listed as a Trooper S, because that’s what the state of Michigan considers the model. Our insurance company, Allstate, looks at it the same way – when we bought the truck, the only choice for 1998 Trooper in their database was “Trooper S.”
I believe this may have contributed to many folks with Luxury Pkg Troopers getting a cheaper insurance rate than the insurers intended. In the eyes of the states and the insurers, the $36k Luxury Pkg Trooper was the same as a $28k stripped-down Trooper S.
It was kind of funny how in late 2001 and 2002, all different flavors were reported as showing up on dealer lots...S models with power mirrors, Limited without some things, etc. We on this board attributed it to Isuzu emptying the parts bin on the last few production Trooper's coming off the lines.
We replaced OEM tires at 48,000 miles. Still had tread left, although the truck was slightly out of alignment and they were starting to wear irregularly. SO, we got an alignment and put on Michelin Cross Terrains. Kinda expensive, but the truck rides beautifully now. We don't go off roading (no action clips like Paisan!) ) so these were the perfect tire for us.
Handling did improve significantly and we're ready to deal with our Chicago weather.
Good luck to all,
Tetonman
I do remember that the dealer I bought from kept referring to the 3 different '98 Trooper models and showed me invoices for all three versions/models/packages. I was not particularly concerned at the time whether there was a distinct and clearly defined "model" for each, simply that there were 3 different versions he stocked and that each had different equipment and pricing ramifications.
I also remember 3 different pictures and categories in the nice color brochure they gave me. Believe it or not the biggest reason I went for the base Trooper S was that the others had darkly tinted rear and rear side windows - something I cannot tolerate. Sunroofs, leather, automatic temperature control, CD players, adjustable seats and all that stuff really don't matter much to me. But, I really dislike people who drive vehicles that you cannot see through in traffic(especially big boxy vehicles like the Trooper). I think they are safety hazards, and I did not want to be one of those socially inconsiderate people.
Anyway, fading age and a sense that whatever they were called they were 3 different "levels" of Trooper I probably went on my own way thinking they were "models." Sorry if that offended anyone. My only copy of the brochure is 150 miles away from where I am now. I am sure that when I get back "home" and get to look at it (which I haven't in 3 or 4 years) I will see that Paisan and others are correct - I have no doubt!!
-mike
Also, regarding another topic, my local Isuzu service manager does not recommend installing a transmission cooler since he says that the Trooper already has one in the radiator. He noted also that to install a cooler, the radiator cooler would have to be disconnected.
As for the cooler having to cut out the stock one, that's bogus. You run the lines into the stock, then into the aux, then to the tranny.
-mike
PS: I don't run an aux cooler on mine and it stays cool.
Good to know that your tranny stays cool. I have been thinking about taking a cross-country trip, however, and wonder if any added protection is needed.
-mike
Flush the coolant, and re-fill. Oil Change, perhaps diffy and ATF change as well. Other than that you should be good to go. I regularly throw on anywhere from 400-1000 miles on a weekend trip spur of the moment towing with the trooper, so IMHO they are pretty much good to go at any point in time
-mike
But your driving a Trooper! What about the person in the Nissan Altima that's looking into the license plate, how would you accommodate them? I must be missing something here?
..
I have been rear ended a bunch (6 times in 27 years) of times by cars following too close.
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Another way to put this is: One of the many good reasons for driving a Trooper is the solid frame and its ability to protect you from such tailgaters.
I can see the reasoning behind this statement. But cargo vans, tractor trailers, dump trucks etc. do not even give you the option of peeping through the glass to see what's ahead. I agree with boxtrooper that tailgating is the real danger not window tinting.
I'm down in Georgia and trust me without tint the Trooper is a greenhouse on wheels. My wife and I tint all of our cars soon after we buy them. At 5 years old the Trooper's leather looks and feels brand new. My wife travels alone at night and I like the added security of not advertising this fact to the world.
(O.k I know it's ironic that I'm advertising this fact on the world wide web. ;-))
Lee