I’m trying to build my utility box, I really shouldn’t do it after work, too tired to read a tape and my decision making is poor..... but at least I got my rods out of the way 
My 01 Troop
- Thread starter DslDad13
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- Wilke
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I LOVE older Isuzus. I forget what year they changed from the 3.2 to the 3.5 but if you still have the 3.2 do you have oil consumption issues? That was the one reason I stuck with older Isuzus (specifically G180, G200, and C220 powered guys). Post GM ownership Isuzu had some problems, but I still think chassis and axle wise they are better than Toyotas (and yes Ive owned both). The 8.6" rear axle your Trooper has is honestly a Japanese produced Ford 9", except better (if I remember right Isuzu actually copied the 9", just made the gear set a bit smaller, but its thicker so actually stronger). Only thing that lets them down is the 4L30E trans and the V6s (though the 4Zs werent much better)
Oh and to add, if the Isuzu V6 ever gives you any problems they really arent worth it to overhaul, a GM 60* V6 is a direct bolt in (3.1L and 3.4L)
Oh and to add, if the Isuzu V6 ever gives you any problems they really arent worth it to overhaul, a GM 60* V6 is a direct bolt in (3.1L and 3.4L)
Mine has the 3.5.... only oil issues I have is the seals around spark plugs need to be replaced, leaks oil into plug cyl.
The trans was rebuilt 2x by me and 4x by trans shop before they gave up and got a new one and only charged me for the rebuild, the shop knew how to remedy the oil issues that overheated that trans so I should be good to go for a good while.
Did not know that those engines would fit, good backup but IMO, crappy motors....
I can rebuild the 3.5 for less than $500
The trans was rebuilt 2x by me and 4x by trans shop before they gave up and got a new one and only charged me for the rebuild, the shop knew how to remedy the oil issues that overheated that trans so I should be good to go for a good while.
Did not know that those engines would fit, good backup but IMO, crappy motors....
I can rebuild the 3.5 for less than $500
Influencer I
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The 3.5L are TONS better than the 3.2L, however I would still give the nod to the GM engines, mostly do to parts availability and availability of the engine itself. Though if you have a non oil drinking Isuzu V6, I think they are a stronger engine. Also does that $500 include machine work or is that just parts? Machine work is where you really incur costs in a rebuild.
Sounds like you are well versed in the 4L30E issues. Honestly I wish Isuzu would have speced the 4L60E and run a 90* V6. The later Isuzus would be amazing with a 4.3L and a 4L60E out of the box
Sounds like you are well versed in the 4L30E issues. Honestly I wish Isuzu would have speced the 4L60E and run a 90* V6. The later Isuzus would be amazing with a 4.3L and a 4L60E out of the box
I do a LOT of google searches before I work on something new.... what better way to learn than to just do it....
when it comes to machine work, if I can’t do it then I have a few people I know that build race engines and it doesn’t cost me much to let them... good to know people.
The 4.3 in the isuzu would be awesome, I wonder if the setup from the s10 cyclone would work.
when it comes to machine work, if I can’t do it then I have a few people I know that build race engines and it doesn’t cost me much to let them... good to know people.
The 4.3 in the isuzu would be awesome, I wonder if the setup from the s10 cyclone would work.
I used to have an 88 Trooper with the 2.6....I miss that toy, I had to rebuild my engine after the oil pressure sensor backed out while doing 70, put me a nice custom grind cam while I was at it, bumped me on hp and torque, had to rebuild the trans case too after I blew out a bearing.... that was fun...
I dont want to tear this Trooper up, my wife wouldn’t approve
I dont want to tear this Trooper up, my wife wouldn’t approve
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Influencer I
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20298
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Im sure it wouldnt be too had to get a turboed 4.3L into a Trooper. I have seen guys run small block Chevys in your body style and the earlier square body Troopers.
I had a 90 Trooper with the 2.6L in it. I bought it for 500 because the previous owner never did valve adjustments so it burned an exhaust valve. I did a full rebuild and drove it for quite a while, put it on 33s and locked it up front and rear. I miss it. The Isuzu I miss the most is my 1980 pickup. It had the little G series 1.8L in it. I did a lot to little guy, had the block bored and head milled, intake, header, custom cam, Weber carb, and I wired in an electronic ignition from the later 2.0L G engines. I had that little guy on 30s and it had a limited slip in the front and a locked rear diff. Little thing was about as big as a smart car and weighed 2800lbs ready for the trail, it was stupid where that thing would go.
I had a 90 Trooper with the 2.6L in it. I bought it for 500 because the previous owner never did valve adjustments so it burned an exhaust valve. I did a full rebuild and drove it for quite a while, put it on 33s and locked it up front and rear. I miss it. The Isuzu I miss the most is my 1980 pickup. It had the little G series 1.8L in it. I did a lot to little guy, had the block bored and head milled, intake, header, custom cam, Weber carb, and I wired in an electronic ignition from the later 2.0L G engines. I had that little guy on 30s and it had a limited slip in the front and a locked rear diff. Little thing was about as big as a smart car and weighed 2800lbs ready for the trail, it was stupid where that thing would go.
My favorite thing to do in the 88 was go in deep mud holes that jacked up chevys with high hp would go thru.... the troopers just float right over, until I got caught on a trail about 2 ft from the lake and it started pouring down, lake water came up and I spent 12 hrs trying to get unstuck, then my buddy who pulled me out got stuck, that’s where my t-case rebuild got started. All in all it was a good learning experience.
