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Isuzu Trooper

11964 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2013 at 7:16 AM

You are in the Isuzu Trooper Forum.

What is this discussion about? Isuzu Trooper, SUV

Messages Page 980 of 1198

#9782 of 11964 Discussion boards ... by cwm

May 30, 2004 (11:42 am)

I have two Isuzu Troopers - a 1999 I purchased new currently has 65,000 miles, and a 1998 that I purchased with 98,000 miles on it. I am impressed that Troopers with 100K miles on them still drive nearly like new, still look great, and feel they can easily go beyond 200k miles. I remember the old GM cars in the 1960's and 1970's that seem to be worn out by 100K.
 
Troopers have a special character that most people are quite unaware of. Too bad Isuzu-America could not recognize that and do a better job of marketing.

#9783 of 11964 Re: Discussion boards ... [cwm #9782] by doublesharp

May 30, 2004 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: cwm (May 30, 2004 11:42 am)
I bought a 96 Acura SLX last summer for my wife to use as a niece and nephew hauler. I got a good deal on a 1 owner that had 125,000. I had the timing belt and water pump changed and we fight over who drives it. I've driven full size GM suvs since mid 80's and I still loce GM but Troopers have won me over. I love the 2000 2wd limited I got on eBay. I really like the premium sound system and the moonroof. The backseat is super comfortable and for a relatively small vehicle there is a huge amount of space. My 2wd is a little quicker but the 96 runs strong. 2wd gets a little better mpg but neither gets bragging rights. I like em both.

#9784 of 11964 Re: OME Shocks and Springs [crqflier #9779] by paisan

May 30, 2004 (10:23 pm)

Replying to: crqflier (May 28, 2004 5:34 pm)
How long is the trailer you pulled? Did you use a weight distribution hitch and antisway? I'm considering pulling a 20 foot camper trailer (weighs 3200 lbs dry), but friends are telling me to not even try pulling a long trailer with a short wheel base SUV (1995 Trooper) - that controlling it will be extremely difficult. BTW, I've got Bilstein shocks and OE springs.
 
I tow a 18ft car-trailer with my '96 Impreza race car on it, 1900lbs for the trailer, 2700lbs for the car and then add gear etc. Easily up at the 5000lbs limit.
 
I tow it with the Hidden Hitch and 2" ball. Single Axle electric brakes (that aren't currently working ) and no weight distributing hitch or system. I would say you'd want to upgrade to the OME 919s or 929 springs in the rear they should work well with the bilstien shocks. The OMEs really made a big difference in towing, also I have larger than stock tires which probably doesn't help much.
 
Controlling the trailer is not bad at all, with campter trailer you'll probably have to go slightly slower than my 75-80mph pace if you have crosswinds.
 
-mike

#9785 of 11964 Re: OME Shocks & Springs w/swayaway test please [boxtrooper #9778] by paisan

May 30, 2004 (10:26 pm)

Replying to: boxtrooper (May 28, 2004 10:21 am)
These give a very bouncy ride one after another all three within 100 yards (100m).
..
I wonder how does your OME / Swayaway suspension handle such a set of bumps? Would I be best to get the same that you have or softer to limit the bouncing?
..
Would the setup you have be to stiff when the wife rides along?
Thank You
 
I would go with the HD setup, it's better suited for the Sway Away bars than the softer OME shocks. As for the rear OME 929s and HD shocks, it's near-stock feel on regular roads, my 80 year old grandmother climbs in and doesn't mind the ride now that I switched over from the Rancho 9000s.
 
-mike

#9786 of 11964 OME929's and OME HD Shocks it is then by boxtrooper

May 31, 2004 (8:17 pm)

Thanks Paison!
..
I have found that towing with a Trooper is very stable for its size. I have done a lot of camparisons with different tow vehicles and the same boat 4200# trailer and boat. With a lot of emphasis on making things equal and proper weight distribution, people with "luxery" SUVs and "conversion" vans nearly all have complaints about sway and control when being passed or passing a tractor trailer etc... Many of them spend a lot of money in the wrong place by adding second axles and fancy hitch add-ons etc, when they should get good tires with 40+ psi and stiffer springs and shocks and a stiffer frame if possible on the tow vehicle.
..
I think the differences are simple:
1.) Troopers are trucks, not cars made to look like trucks. True trucks have sturdy load distributing frames and stout suspensions.
2.) Troopers have decent tires, even the stock ones offer decent control compared to mushy conversion vans with overloaded small 15" car tires.
2.) Troopers will out tow (better control) larger more powerful tow vehicles with longer wheelbases if those other tow vehicles are built for luxery or converted from light panel vans into heavy conversion vans.
..
To tow as well as a Trooper with an American vehicle the easiest thing is to get a full size pickup - built to truck duty standards.
..
In the UK the Trooper "Duty" is commonly used to tow trailers full of sheep.

#9788 of 11964 Check Engine Light by bluedevils

Jun 01, 2004 (5:25 am)

Check Engine light came on today, 5 min into morning drive to work. Solid CEL, not blinking. 98 Troop, TOD, 105k miles. Truck still ran fine today after CEL. No recent issues except uneven/surging idle for past several months when engine fully warm (eg after 30+ min driving). Going to AutoZone today to get codes pulled for free. I'm assuming/hoping this is simply the intake manifold gasket (IMG) needing replacement. Had one done around 50-60k miles, under warranty. Which codes are associated with the IMG problem? How many IMGs are on the 3.5L Trooper engine - 1, or more than 1?
 
If the codes sound like IMG problem, I will probably take it to an Isuzu dealer and pay them to fix it. No other options for me - not qualified to do this myself, and I know of no good independent shops around here that could do the work.
 
Any other thoughts/suggestions?

#9789 of 11964 Softer ride for Trooper......... by bsmart1

Jun 01, 2004 (5:27 am)

needed for the wife. What non-adjustable shocks do you guys recommend? If I can't get Paison's used Rancho's.

#9790 of 11964 New Shocks by bstone3

Jun 01, 2004 (6:58 am)

We installed Rancho 5000's shortly after buying the Trooper - love em - These are gas shocks where the 9000's are adjustable hydraulic. I have also had Bilstein gas shocks on other 4X4's and I was pleased with them. The 5000's have 44K miles on our 01 LS. They definately firm up the ride but are not harsh. I also installed the sway bar bushings from JC Whitney - shocking how much those little devils help the ride/cornering and after the 245-70's wore out we installed some 265-70's - big improvement on cornering - plus they beef up the look of the Trooper too. I wish I could spring for the OME springs - would make a great final addition.
FYI - just changed the oil the other day - used about 3/4 quart in 5000 miles. I had been using Mobil 1 5-30 but I bought the Wallmart "Protech"?5-30 all synthetic this time - at $12 for a 5 quart jug felt it was worth a try - changed the filter and poured in the jug - right up to the fill mark. Also the "PDM" module the dealer replaced has finally cured the surging problem at cold start. For all the dealers efforts in trying to solve this problem I also got a new FPR and EGR valves

#9791 of 11964 Soft ride on road OME shocks by boxtrooper

Jun 01, 2004 (8:01 am)

The OME regular shocks I added to my 1995 Trooper were very soft on smooth roads, even softer than the relatively new aftermarket Tokico gas shocks they replaced, but they also handled the bigger bumps very well. OME uses low pressure gas shocks, I think that makes them act like progressive springs, very soft, until needed. Compared to high pressure gas shocks which have a stiff pre-load so they are always on the stiff side, even when the road is smooth.
http://www.arbusa.com/Nitrocharger.htm

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