a 1988 Trooper that 'Goes Farther'

Nov. 01, 2005 By Randy Burleson

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
Fabtech Motorsports, in Fullerton, CA, took the Trooper in with the drivetrain already installed, and proceeded to remove all signs of the factory independent front suspension (IFS). Fabtech assembled a bulletproof system that stops and steers as well as the stock system -- but the 1985 Toyota live axle that replaced the IFS actually allows wheel travel, as well. Toyota never shipped a pickup with this steering system, though -- the Trooper now sports crossover steering, with a draglink that parallels the heim-jointed track bar to prevent the bump steer and hard braking turns for which Toyota minitrucks are known. Fabtech reinforced the frame at the steering box, and added bracketry for the custom anti-sway bar, track bar, spring hangars, and shackles. 

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.

Don certainly has "Gone Further" than anyone imagined with this truck. The truck clears nearly thirty inches at the rocker panels - a combination of body lift, tires, and suspension that net more than a foot and a half of lift over stock! This fits well, though, because the crawl ratio is almost two times lower than stock, and the power output is more than two times greater than the stock engine. All of these components work together to make an awesome off-road rig, proving once again that "It is what you build, not what you buy."


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