IS THERE ANYONE THAT TOWS AND HAS ANY RECOMENDATION ABOUT TOWING WITH A
2000 TROOPER-AUTO TRANS, TOD SYSTEM- ABOUT 2000LBS TOTAL FOR BOAT AND
TRAILER. ANY AD-ONS NEEDED LIKE A TRANS COOLER OR SUCH. THANKS FOR ANY
INPUT.

your vehicle should have a factory trans cooler. what si your stated towing capacity?

NOT SURE BOUGHT IT USED. NO BOO OR INFO WITH IT

information for that year should very likely still be available at the dealership.

what are you planning on towing?

oohh and it should give you that info by the drivers door, on a white sticker that should be below the locking mechanism of the door or on the body

Thanks for the replies. My dealer in the area is not so good about
giving out free information. He told me to read the info panel on the
firewall to find out the codes for the vehicle and then to contact
Isuzu for the info. I'm glad that you all replied, Thanks again.smileys/smiley1.gif

I havent done any towing yet but i have a 2000 same model i think tod also and i had 3200 lbs of patio block in it the other night and it did not even flex i am sooo impressed with my trooper so far. Just need to find some roof racks for it and some key fobs if anyone can help me in that aspect can throw any suggestions my way i would apreciate it.

check out these roof racks:


http://www.accessconnect.com/safari.htm (http://www.accessconnect.com/safari.htm)


http://www.customautotrim.com/products/roofracks/makes/isuzu (http://www.customautotrim.com/products/roofracks/makes/isuzu/trooper2.html) /trooper2.html


http://4by4connection.com/isuzu6.html (http://4by4connection.com/isuzu6.html)


http://www.starrdistributing.com/roof-racks.html


as for key fobs your best chance at getting a good deal is at ebay


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-Pc-ISUZU-Key-Ring-Keyring-C (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-Pc-ISUZU-Key-Ring-Keyring-Chain_W0QQitemZ7988341979QQcategoryZ6763QQssPageNa meZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) hain_W0QQitemZ7988341979QQcategoryZ6763QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrd Z1QQcmdZViewItem

i have a 94 trooper and recently used it to remove a tree from the road that was knocked down by a severe storm....the trunk was 14 inches in diameter and the tree was about 75 feet tall. i love my trooper...lol

First Post - Newbie here


I've towed a 2000+ lb boat (18.5 ft, center console)all over the Eastern US from VA to FL to TX with my '99 trooper, then my first 2001, and then my 2nd 2001 with no problems. http://www.isuzuforums.com/smileys/smiley1.gif


I believe they were all rated to 5000 lb tow limit when they went to the 3.5 liter engine.


Regards, Bill

If you tow with any vech on a regular basis I recomend that you install a 2nd trans cooler. I have seen too many trans failures due to overheating. I would be safe and have one installed, the cost of a cooler is a lot less than a trans repair. Keep it cool and it will last a lot longer with no problems.

any ideas of where to get a trans cooler?

Any parts store can get you one, most may have in stock. Also any shop that sells and installs hitches will have them and they can also install it for you.

thanks my transmission just got fried on tuesday. It is at the shop right now. any suggestions about getting this fixed?

Sorry to hear the bad news. The GM 4spd transmission isn't all that great, but with care and feeding should do fine if not abused. Most failures are due to lack of maintenance.


A auto trans will only last about an hour with excessive heat buildup, according to published data (text books).


I have dealt with 2 customers troopers with the auto trans giving up the ghost at about 175K. Neither one was cared for. Both had old, dirty, used, smelly ATF fluid. I'm surprised they lasted so long.


Your tranny didn't just get fried, it was well cooked over time. Everyone be well forewarned, your days and miles are numbered.


Changed the fluid, or back flush it (for a full fluid exchange)every couple of years with filter, too, and use the correct ATF fluid. Starve the pump duea plugged filter and the trans will die.Don't over load the trans, downshift when necessary (DON'T let it hunt between 3rd and 4th...!!) such as towing a load up a hill. Wan't extra protection? Use Redline ATF or similar products.


Of course an auxillary cooler will greatly help. Get the good ones, and not the cheap $30 specials. Use stainless lines, not the rubber ones, either.


Finally don't be fooled by the recommended service intervals. Do a full service about at 1/2 the recommendation, and you'll likly never have a trans problem that is wear related (the most common).


Good luck.


Gary


ASE Master Auto Tech

Correct me if I'm wrong I was told that there is no need to change the filter on a trooper do to the fact that its only a screen anyway. It was a parts manager at an Isuzu dealership and he drove a Trooper. Was he wrong. He did agree with most the post on here, at least with the auxiliary trans cooler. Check out this site it should help.

http://myweb.cableone.net/bcanderson/trooper/96trooper.htm

Interesting information, and it would be easy to be lulled into a false sense of security.


However, I do know from actual experience that the Troopers from the mid 90's with the 3.2 engine do have traditional trans filters. They do not use a screen. I've also serviced the older 80's Troopers and from what i remember they use a normal filter too.


To go a little further on the perception that a screen type filter does not have to be changed, once again based on actual experience, this is also not true.


The screen, just like a filter ( both are types of filters) will become clogged with debris. This will starve the pump, due to restricted flow, which in turn will effect every component (excepts the torque coverter) internally. It will cause accelerated wear, inadequate hydraulic pressure, which leads to slippage in the clutch packs. It's the same as starving an engine of oil by having a plugged pump pick up screen (not as uncommon as one would think).


The older Troopers with a dipstick definately have filters. I can't say for sure on the newer troopers with the 3.5L engine, that don't have dipsticks. I don't have access to Alldata right now, but I'm pretty sure it has a regular filter, too. Since my 02 Trooper only has 32K on, and i've changed the fluid, which was in perfect condition, I did not remove the ATF pan to replace the "filter".


Ultimately when it comes to discussions like these, and the nature of the environment, people will believe what they will. Often times it's information that appeals to them; that makes their life easier. It's human nature, it seems.


These are the people that will most likely find out in great detail, and major expense, that spending $100-150every couple of yearsfor aproper servicecould have saved them thousands.


Funny thing is both vehicles I dealt with last year that needed new transmissions never were fixed. the cost of repairs exceeded the value of the vehicles, so the customers hung their head and meandered off in search of another vehicle -- starting the entire cycle over again.


Most people just don't learn smileys/smiley3.gif

Sorry about the Trans. Back to your towing Q. Here is the specs on your trooper
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<T>
<TR>
<TD>Exterior Length http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Exterior+Length&amp;equipData=181.3+%2 2+exterior+length&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>181.3 " exterior length</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Exterior Width http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Exterior+Width&amp;equipData=72.2+%22+ exterior+body+width&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>72.2 " exterior body width</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Exterior Height http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Exterior+Height&amp;equipData=72.2+%22 +exterior+height&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>72.2 " exterior height</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Wheelbase http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Wheelbase&amp;equipData=109+%22+wheelb ase&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>109 " wheelbase</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Front Tread http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Front+Tread&amp;equipData=60+%22+front +tread&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>60 " front tread</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Rear Tread http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Rear+Tread&amp;equipData=60+%22+rear+t read&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>60 " rear tread</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Turning Radius http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Turning+Radius&amp;equipData=19.0+%27+ turning+radius&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>19.0 ' turning radius</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Gross Vehicle Weight Rating http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Gross+Vehicle+Weight+Rating&amp;equipD ata=5%2C510+lbs.+GVWR&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>5,510 lbs. GVWR</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Front Gross Axle Weight Rating http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Front+Gross+Axle+Weight+Rating&amp;equ ipData=2%2C750+lbs.+front+GAWR&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=nati onal';) </TD>
<TD align=right>2,750 lbs. front GAWR</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating </TD>
<TD align=right>3,080 lbs. rear GAWR</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD>Max Trailer Weight http://research.cars.com/crp/images/moreinfo.gif (javascript openPopupTall'trimBenefits.jsp;jsessionid=URDLJY52 YRUH5LAYIEQOS0Y?acode=&amp;equipGroup=Design+and+Dimen sions&amp;equipDesc=Max+Trailer+Weight&amp;equipData=5%2C0 00+lbs.+towing+capacity&amp;benCount=1&amp;aff=national';) </TD>
<TD align=right>5,000 lbs. towing capacity</TD></TR></T></TABLE>





Get a cooler if you are towing offten or for long distances. As long as you are getting it rebuilt, have them put one on. They are not expensive. They wil cost from $35-$140. You should have no problem towing. I have a rodeo that I have towed a 21' Bayliner all around the state. Also a full size tent trailer, and a horse trailer that alone maxed out my total towing capacity, but I took it loaded for many trips, and the Rodeo never hesitated. I dont recomend going over you max, this will cause ware on your cars drive line and it can get you killed. I have upgraded alot on my Rodeo, but the wheel base is the same so exp. counts for alot.

I had my tranny rebuilt and the trans shop said that my trooper has an external trans cooler already. Does it come with one from the factory?

Was your Trooper equiped with the tow package when you bought it?

i'm not sure about a tow package. there was no hitch under the rear frame. the trans does have what seems like a "granny" gear though. first gear winds out and your forward motion is pretty slow. if you were to start off on a flat surface or a down hill, starting off in second gear would not cause the engine to slug.

I dont know. I bought my trooper years after new. I did not have a hitch on it but that does not mean that someone else did not remove it. can I tell by the VIN number? The trans guy said that the cooler is sandwiched between the condensor and the radiatior. Is that where Isuzu would have put one? Thanksforyour time!!!!!

i know on my cooling system, there is a hose that comes out of the thermostat housing that runs downward. If i'm not mistaken, that's the cooling hose for the transmission. I'm not an isuzu expert and i could be wrong, but logically, that wold be the trans cooler. < ="text/">_popupControl();</>

Yes, that is the standerd mounting for Trany coolers. It looks like a mini radiator. Alot of SUV's and trucks come factory equipet with a cooler. I would think it to be safe to say trust the shop that said you have one. You can upgrade the size but that just requires a bit more work and trany fluid, in your case for towing only a few times a seasone leave it as is, and just make sure you change your tranny fluid regularly, and Diff fluids. Those diffs are often forgotten when towing Q. are asked. You can buy a Tranny heat guage and mount it to your dash. Check a local dealer for operating temps. for your model Tranny. It will run higher than standerd, but you will know if you are going to cause damage, and it may be a good time to take a pit stop and let it cool.

Just make sure your hitch can handle it then strap it on. Chances are it won't even notice two thousand pounds. My 93 pulls about 5000 if I push it usually the biggest thing I pull isa 25 ft sailboat that weighs 3500 odd pounds.

The GM 2.8 is a DOG. There is no way to squeeze any more out of it. Believe me, I tried EVERYTHING! The 4.3 is a great engine, but it require a LOT of fabrication/modification to make it work.





On the other hand... the 3.4 GM V6 is the same engine as the 2.8, and will be a direct bolt up swap. The only thing you will have to do with that swap is to move the starter from one side to the other. It already has a boss cast into the block, and all you have to do is have someone drill and tap holes for the starter bolts.





Swap in the 3.4 and your trooper will climb a tree! It is all you need and you can do it in a weekend.