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SUVs Isuzu Trooper Isuzu Future Models
425 messages, Last post on Apr 10, 2009 at 11:13 PM
You are in the Isuzu Trooper Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
Your Community Leader is paisan.
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Well, the new S-10/S-15/Hombre will be an Isuzu designed vehicle from the ground up. My prediction is that the Rodeo's next itteration will be a modified Trailblazer/Envoy/Jimmy platform vehicle. Which makes sense since the SIA plant will be cranking out Axioms. If you notice, there is a LOT of GM parts in our trucks already (Transmission, ECU by Delphi, Rodeo radiators have GM stamped on them) GM uses the Isuzu diesel 6.6l engine in the top of the line pickups now. Outside the US the Jackaroo/Bighorn is a big seller. IIRC somewhere I saw that it falls right below the Landcruiser and Pajero (Montero) in the rest of the world. If it were up to me, they could stretch the trooper 6 inches, widen it by 2 inches, and put in an Isuzu DOHC V8, maybe around 4.5 or 5 liter. Add a 3rd row of seats, and a better center console, multireflector headlights, Oil Pressure, Amp/voltage Guages, rear mounted power port, rear defroster wire on the 30% section of the door, and a door ajar lamp. As others have noted, upgraded speakers can go on that list as well. Anything else you guys would like to see in the next itteration? -mike |
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I've got a file on my PC with some ideas on how to make the Trooper better. Some of them are pretty minor, but here's the list anyway. I know not everybody agrees with all of them - heck, there are some on here that I don't agree with. I put this list together from mostly my own thoughts plus some ideas from others who posted either in the Edmund's Trooper forums or on itog.com (I can't remember which). Basically, I would like to see a larger, roomier, more powerful Trooper with a 3rd row seat and more of the comfort/convenience features that other SUVs have been offering the past few years. Observations apply to 1998 and newer Troopers only unless otherwise stated. Items to Add: * Additional 12V power outlet(s) (Trooper currently has only one) * Underhood engine light * Lighted trim ring around ignition * Third row seats that are easily removable(foldaway as in Odyssey would be ideal but not necessary). * Full-time 4WD available with manual transmission - currently, the TOD system is not available with the manual trans * Premium sound system option (JBL, Infinity, Bose, Alpine etc.) * Rear climate control system – separate controls too. Improvements: * Make rear seats able to be folded into rear footwell to make the length of flat cargo floor longer for both cargo and people sleeping back there (either instead of or in addition to current method of folding seat down and tipping it forward against the back of the front seats). * Gauges are bad - they look outdated * Voltmeter and oil pressure would be nice – TOD display takes up their spot on dash (my '96 Trooper had both of these) * Gas gauge doesn’t have enough markings and the low fuel light doesn’t come on until it’s almost too late (the low fuel light doesn't bother me; IMO, a low fuel light should be a true warning, not a statement that your tank still has 1/8-1/4 left) * TOD display is cheesy and distracting because of the green lights and takes up too much space * The center console needs to be redesigned — both the compartment and cup-holders are not big enough and there is a lot of wasted space. * Cup-holders for rear passengers are a joke--can't they put a bigger magnet on that thing? I've seen a couple SUVs with rear cupholders integrated into the doors/armrests. * More powerful headlights - current headlights are not bright enough. * Paint is too thin / not durable enough, especially on the bumpers and overfenders. * Better stock shocks * Bigger tires – a meatier 16” tire and/or a 17” option would fill out the large wheel wells much more nicely than the current 245/70/16 size. * More aftermarket parts available, such as those available in Japan. * More adjustments for seats in S and LS models. Lumbar adjustment, height adjustment, seat cushion angle adjustment, etc. These are nice creature comforts for passenger and driver alike. * Larger, more powerful engine - improved 3.5L V6 specs and/or V8. Actually, the 270hp 4.2L 6 in the new GM SUVs would we a welcome addition. Also, the Axiom's version of the 3.5L V6 will have 230hp, so it seems likely that the Trooper will have 230 hp in the 2001 or 2002 models. * Better-sounding standard sound system - the stock speakers are particularly bad; the head unit seems okay. * Independent rear suspension * Flip-up liftgate with separately opening glass – for cover when loading/unloading/tailgating * Longer, softer front armrests * 5-speed automatic transmission - much of the competition is now providing a 5-speed auto instead of a 4-speed. Explorer has had it for several years. A 5-speed auto might be one way to squeeze more highway fuel economy out of the Trooper. * More comfortable, wider front bucket seats * More powerful climate control system * Spare tire mounted under the vehicle * 5mph front and rear bumpers * Lighted vanity mirrors that work all the time - it took 2 trips to the dealer before they told me my lighted vanity mirrors were working fine, but that they don't come on unless the headlights are on. To me, that's an example of the engineers over-thinking. Even though this is a fairly long list, I love my '98 Trooper. There are way more things on the list of items that Isuzu should not change than there are on this list of improvements. |
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There are a few items I have to disagree with... TOD Lights are absolutely imperitive. I wouldn't have known my system was out of whack if it didn't show the torque split, cause mine would only do 15% split, even when spinning the rear tires before the dealer fixed it. I wouldn't have known had the indicator lights not been there. Underside Spare- I feel the rear mounted is far better than underneath... Have you ever tried to get one of those things off the bottom when you get a rear tire blow out? Or if it's really rainy, you get soaked. Lift Gate- I like the lifting glass, fold down tailgate of my Rodeo, but the 70/30 split doors are far better. A lift gate should stay on mini-vans. Wider seats? I have a rather large rear end, and even I find the 2000 LS bucket seats to be very comfy, except the arm rest should be longer. My driver seat is 8-way power, wish the pass. was 8 way also. -mike |
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You read my mind on most of these. I have a 98 S with Tube steps, in-dash changer and a few other odds and ends. I added Polk Audio speakers in self defense - the OEM speakers look like they came out of a 57 Chevy! There are a couple of areas that could definitely use some help. More power, improved economy come to mind. This can be and is being done by other manufacturers. A 4.5 liter V-8 with around 275hp and 280 lb. ft. of torque with the around the same mileage as the present V-6 would be heaven! I think the 6.6 Duramax is probably overkill, but a smaller version (5.5l.?) would really be great and still have good power. According to Motor Trend, the Duramax gets about 18 MPG - not bad for a 300 hp torquemonster. Styling? I really don't mind the "rounded square" look, but I'm sure Isuzu will Go Farther on the next Trooper. Better speakers of course are imperative and the Nakamichi system from the Anniversary edition would be a plus. |
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Since you started: *I am happy with the rear axle. Front independent and rear axle give the best of both world. The rear is heavy duty and provides the same ground clearance no matter what the load. *If the tire is to go below, definitely inside. Underneath it gets destroyed, especially if you have an alloy rim. On the back is designed for offroading. *I like the split rear, what I would add is glass that can be lowered inside the door for long items. *A real roof rack available. *Better wipers/lights All things considered, I like the S model the best, simple (with enough amenities) and durable. Even though the truck is sold as an up scale SUV in the US I think it is more of an offroad/work truck in the rest of the world. This is at least what I have gotten from the international reviews I have read. |
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Local "super" dealer ran ad on 01 S model with 4wd for $ 22998. Took a good ride and look. Ups: Solid, well built, comfortable, good price. Downs: stodgy looking, gas pig (aren't they all?), acceleration below average, step up too much for my 70ish wife although I guess we could get boards or steps put on, no 2WD in stock but salesmen said he could order, maybe 500-800 cheaper. Rodeo was peppy but almost as expensive. Another local dealer has an '00 left with 2wd, quoted 21 K, I suppose would come off a bit. This S Model but with 6cd changer. I don't need 4wd and don't own any cds. Guess I could buy 6. Dealer had a crappu little brochure on Axiom, tells almost nothing but this truck looks super great (to me). Hope this truck and maybe pricing will be available by time of KC Auto show. Cheers! |
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I'd say the Trooper delivers more value than the Rodeo. Axiom pricing remains to be seen, although they are supposed to be at dealers (available for purchase?) in April. I did see a couple Axioms at the Detroit auto show. Nice looking vehicle, with some interior updates/improvements vs. Trooper. I did install side steps on my 98 Trooper, and it makes entry/exit a bit easier. My wife needed some assistance since she's pregnant and drives the truck during the week. |
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| Got directed to www.suv.com on this beauty. Review was favorable but sounded like it was written by a "valley girl". Launch was from some California winery. But, lots of pics and I love it, gotta have it. Definitely not an off road vehicle but that's ok by me. I have accumulated a lot of data and specs on this beauty. A bit bigger than Tribute, similar to Pathfinder in all dimensions except more leg room in back seat. Go look (Sorry I don't know how to post link). | |
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I went over the http://www.suv.com and checked out the Axiom. It looks better on there than first thought it would. I like the idea of a switch for the 4wd Lo, instead of a leaver (which didn't really do anything other than activate the vaccum lines to put the car in Lo range) My prediction is that we may see the rodeo be delegated to the Rodeo Sport models within a few years. -mike |
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Well folks, I got to speak with a relatively knowledgeable Isuzu "Product Specialist" yesterday at the Philly Auto Show. Here's the scoop... VX 2001: Last year for the VX, the dies for the body panels are worn out and so they won't be able to make any more. 2003 Trooper: Isuzu V8 engine, slightly wider, stretched a bit, 3 rows of seats. Will be built in Japan. Axiom: Dropped down Rodeo platform, shooting for the soccer moms Rodeo: Aimed at the off-roaders, as opposed to the Axiom Hombre: Even though Isuzu is designing the new S10/S15 trucks, Isuzu will likely not get a sister vehicle. Ironman Sponsorship dropped, it was getting too expensive w/o enough payback. So you won't see anymore "ironman" editions. -mike |
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