Go Farther...
"Go Farther..." That's the tag line Isuzu is using to market trucks
in the U.S.A.
Don Wintz's 1988 Isuzu Trooper redefines the meaning of this tag line, combining the best of Isuzu with elements of Toyota and Chevrolet... the resulting truck can articulate and crawl down the trail and also maintain highway speeds at altitude.
Click HERE to see a video clip of this truck in action, creeping down and around the hairpin at the top of Rubicon's Big Sluice. (as soon as I can get it scanned in!)
Here's a list of some
of this Trooper's modifications:
|
Engine 1991 Chevrolet 4.3 liter V6 Professionally converted, SMOG LEGAL TBI - Throttle Body Injection Edelbrock Intake Manifold Edelbrock Headers Modifications B.A.R.-Approved |
Transmission 700R4 transmission B&M shifter Marlin Crawler Toyota transfer case 72:1 final drive ratio |
Front Axle 1985 Toyota live axle conversion Professionally Converted by Fabtech Land Cruiser vented rotors ARB Air Locker 4.56:1 Gears Custom National Springs |
|
Electronics Uniden PC122XL CB Radio Wilson Antenna Sony XR-C210 Sound System Hands-off Cell Phone Viper Alarm System |
Rear Axle 12-bolt Isuzu Corporate Axle Stock Isuzu disk brakes ARB Air Locker 4.55:1 Gears Custom National Springs |
Miscellaneous Warn XD9000i winch 35x12.50-15R tires on American Mags Bushwhacker fender flares Rancho 9000 shocks Smittybuilt bumpers front and rear |
Exterior View
Standing on 35x12.50-15R tires on American Mags (though the pictures show only the last set of 33x12.50-15r), this Trooper looks huge from across the parking lot and just gets bigger as you walk towards it. The Trooper wears stock red with custom black highlights, including the Smittybuilt bumpers, the custom limo-tinted windows, the Bushwhacker fender flares, and the hood scoop. The hood scoop is pretty trick, adapted from an early 90's Mustang 5.0, turned around, and opened up -- it adds cooling and it LOOKS cool.
Front Live Axle Conversion
|
Fabtech Motorsports
Greg Soaper 4010 North Palm Street Unit 103 Fullerton, CA 92835 714-870-9422 |
The polishing touches are remarkable, as well: functional bumpstops, inverted u-bolts, braided stainless brake lines, vented LandCruiser rotors, Rancho 9000s, tubular shock mounts, well-routed ARB lines, the list goes on and on. Custom National springs, made to the exact weight of this unique truck, swing and flex above the Toyota axle with the travel-enhancing dog-leg shackles.
Adding the live-axle bracketry and hangars unfortunately meant torching off the old bumper mounts. Fabtech came to the rescue again, modifying the existing Smittybuilt bumper and adding massive braces and gussets to handle the pulling power of the Warn X9000i.
Rear Axle and Suspension
By comparison, the rear axle is almost boring. That's a shame, though, because the stock Isuzu 12-bolt differential comes out of the factory with massive bearings, an 8.75-inch ring gear, 1.3" axles, and disk brakes with built-in e-brake actuators. With such a strong foundation, Don only needed to add an ARB air locker, braided stainless brake lines, another set of custom-built many-leaved National Springs, more trick dog-leg shackles, and Rancho 9000s. This end of the truck also wears its springs over the axle.
Transmission, Transfercase, CV Driveshafts
Transplanting a powerful motor meant upgrading the transmission. Don dropped in a built 700R4 tranny and followed it up with a Marlin Crawler-geared Toyota transfer case. Commercial adapters eased the drivetrain swaps, but hanging all this new hardware under the truck required significant custom engineering. The new tubular double crossmember bolts on with simple flat flanges. It wraps tightly around the transfer case, maximizing ground clearance, and providing a solid skidplate foundation, as well as protection for both front and rear driveshaft double-cardan joints. The stock Isuzu rear crossmember sprouted significant reinforcement and skidplates, as well.
Engine Bay
This 4.3l V6 engine looks like it was installed at the factory. Professional installation guaranteed a motor that runs strong, and smog legal, too. Dropping a 1991 motor into the 1988 body pleases the smog police, and adding a few go-fast goodies pleases the owner. Sane modifications like Edelbrock intake and headers, a custom exhaust, and a K&N filter make for a powerful trail idle and supra-legal highway speeds.The Mustang hoodscoop helps keep underhood temperatures in control, sucking hot air through the visible holes in the underside of the hood. The four-core cross-flow custom radiator does the rest.
Even with 50% more cubic inches than the factory intended, underhood has sufficient room for the ARB pump on the driver's side fender and Rancho 9000 compressor and fittings on the firewall. The compact metal-clad Predator gel-cell battery helps ease underhood space concerns.
Interior View
The Vision Research fully suspended leather driver's throne commands attention and provides serious comfort for long hauls. The Rancho dual remote control is within easy reach under the dash, as is the Mico-Lock hydraulic brake lockout, located on the transmission tunnel. Two fire extinguishers hang within easy reach for emergency use.A full complement of stereo, CB, and cell phone guarantee contact with the outside world, while the carpeted interior, climate-controlled environment, and cushy seats keep the elements at bay. There's nothing like waving to a dusty, open-topped jeeper from air-conditioned comfort.
