I finally got a redneck truck!

if that thule is a roof rack thats a long way up lol...

time for more zav :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS8KXHBCimo

Not enough red.

http://orlando.craigslist.org/pts/2575256943.html

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http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=117&Torsion_Bar_Adjustment

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Fabricate a pair of long shackles (4" longer between holes = 2" lift) for the leaf springs.

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Still not as cool as this, but getting closer...

Freakishly clean is the first thought that comes to mind.
I see in the pictures that there is already a bike fully contained inside.
From the factory, in large silver (plastic) letters should be the word Isuzu on the front grill.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Still not as cool as this, but getting closer...

Do this!

Then you can zip-tie an American car emblem to the grille and it really will be a redneck truck!

(not kidding, a "Chevy" Hilux works a certain scrap yard I've been to a few times)

donalson wrote: if that thule is a roof rack thats a long way up lol... time for more zav :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS8KXHBCimo

Its a good documentary, but I would like to point out that you never attach a large antenna whip such as the 102' CB whip directly to the bumper. It will tear it self apart anywhere over 35 mph. You always need a spring, a tennis ball, and a bungee cord.

The spring will allow movement without tearing up the mounting application.

The tennis ball will keep the antenna from bouncing against the body of the vehicle and that's important for two reasons. A bounce on the body creates a ground and disturbs the signal. Also, if you are smart in your zombie era, you will use a high powered amp on the TX. Arcing the signal will burn your blackout paint off and ruin you stealthy blackness superiority.

The bungee cord will hold the antenna because it will bounce like mad in the wind and over bumps. Too much movement will disturb the signal and wear out the connections in the spring, ruining the ground and possibly the transmitter line.

See.. I know SOME things.

nice

You need to bring it to the Challenge. It needs a gun rack, and I think there are plenty of us that will help you out with that.

I'm planning on bringing it to the challenge, since we no longer have the motorhome I'm planning on using it as home base at the track.

As far as the gun rack... It's illegal to carry guns that aren't in a "secure wrapper" in florida, so I couldn't actually use it. If I'm carrying anything more than a pistol I just lay them on the back seat or cargo area (in cases!).

I'm torn on the CB radio. On the one hand, I love having it in the woods and on long highway drives. On the other, I don't really want to tear the interior of the car apart to run the antenna wiring. My friends are moving away from CBs. I was actually thinking about installing a mobile GMRS radio programmed to use the little handheld walkie talkie frequencies. That would be much more useful, as everybody uses those.

Oh, and I did realize that it was missing the "Isuzu" badge on the grill. I think it looks cleaner without it, so I'm going to leave it off.

Guns or no guns, you still need a place to put them. For the zombies.

Tom Suddard wrote: As far as the gun rack... It's illegal to carry guns that aren't in a "secure wrapper" in florida, so I couldn't actually use it. If I'm carrying anything more than a pistol I just lay them on the back seat or cargo area (in cases!).

Patently false, but I'm not a fan of window mounted gun racks anyway.

Um, no. While there are a few exceptions where open carry is legal (hunting, camping, fishing, etc), you otherwise have to carry the gun in a "secure wrapper" from what I understand.

Florida Statues 790.25(5) said: (5) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE.--Notwithstanding subsection (2), it is lawful and is not a violation of s. 790.01 for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed firearm or other weapon for self-defense or other lawful purpose within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. Nothing herein contained prohibits the carrying of a legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the carrying of a concealed firearm or other weapon on the person. This subsection shall be liberally construed in favor of the lawful use, ownership, and possession of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self-defense as provided in s. 776.012.

So for me, the only time I could use the gun rack is when I'm camping/ fishing, or on my way to or from those activities. At least that's how I understand it. If you know more, I'm all ears.

Anyway, I don't like window mounted gun racks anyway. They make it hard to see out the rear window and I don't want to advertise that my car is full of guns.

Nothing herein contained prohibits the carrying of a legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use.

As you yourself quoted. Just possessing one is, in fact, lawful use.

*Note, I'm no lawyer, but I did attend a Florida gun rights seminar hosted by one.

Oh, so the secure wrapper thing only applies to handguns? Thanks for clarifying, I learned something new!

https://www.independent4x.com/merchantmanager/index.php

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/

Have fun. I was shopping for those Troopers when I found my old Toyota 4x4 and I cross-shopped the newer ones against Monteros when I found my current 4x4. I love the ambulance doors on the back.

It would appear you can fit a narrow 33" tire on them stock. Something like a 33"x10.5" or a 33"x9". You will lose power and mileage if you don't regear the diffs putting tires that big on it. If you do want to get into 4x4 driving keep the stock size tires for a while; 31"s will get you a lot of places if driven well.

Tom Suddard wrote: I'm planning on bringing it to the challenge, since we no longer have the motorhome I'm planning on using it as home base at the track. As far as the gun rack... It's illegal to carry guns that aren't in a "secure wrapper" in florida, so I couldn't actually use it. If I'm carrying anything more than a pistol I just lay them on the back seat or cargo area (in cases!). I'm torn on the CB radio. On the one hand, I love having it in the woods and on long highway drives. On the other, I don't really want to tear the interior of the car apart to run the antenna wiring. My friends are moving away from CBs. I was actually thinking about installing a mobile GMRS radio programmed to use the little handheld walkie talkie frequencies. That would be much more useful, as everybody uses those.

Don't even bother with CB radio. Terrible sound and range. Go with a HAM radio set-up and convince your friends to do the same. They don't cost very much more than a decent CB and are betting in every way. I've gotten contacts from others in my wheeling groups over 20 miles away and it was as clear as a cell-phone. The license is like $15 but you don't need one if you "just listen"

About those wheels: Isuzu spec'd a very low lug nut torque, like 65 foot pounds for those wheels. If the nuts are overtorqued, it 'pinches' the end of the lug nut in and makes it jam onto the stud threads. Result; the next time the wheel has to come off studs start a' breakin'. Most tire places have no idea about this, they hammer them on with a 250 ft lb air impact and booger up the studs. Do yourself a favor: grab yourself a 12x1.5 tap and run it through each of the nuts, that's easiest if you clamp the tap in a bench vise and use an air ratchet to spin the nuts onto the tap. Then use anti seize on the threads and stop at 60-65 foot pounds.

If you can find some of the 'XS' alloy wheels, they use a more conventional lug nut which is not prone to do this. Those came on the Troopers like yours and certain Amigos/Rodeos in both 15 and 16 inch diameter. The Passport used a very similar wheel but the holes are more triangular.

By the way, the troopers have the same lug spacing as Chevy, Toyota, etc. and I'm pretty sure they use the same backspacing as Toyota.

It's a very common 6 on 5 1/2" bolt circle so anything with 6 bolt wheels would be a snap to install. Do watch the backspacing, though.

Just a quick update:

The Trooper has been nearly perfect, with the exception of the brake master cylinder going bad (luckily non-catastrophically). I've put nearly 5,000 miles on it so far, and I use it like a real truck!

I've also joined all of you that are in the Ridgeline hater club. I love taunting my dad for his "fake truck," and bragging about how nice a real transfer case and a full frame are.

Here are some pictures:

The Trooper bravely carrying pieces of our Lemons car: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/1986-98-mark-vii/none-more-diff/

My girlfriend saying "I've never been in a car in a lake before!"

How to carry two kayaks.

I got a 9,000 pound winch for my birthday, so over winter break it'll be getting a Camry-nerfing tube bumper and enough pulling power to even drag Mike Guido away from teenage children.

I also bought some 15x7 alloy Isuzu Snowflake wheels on eBay, and have 31x10.5r15 tires on the way for it. I did end up installing a CB radio, along with amber and white hideaway strobes to make it a little more visible when I'm on the side of the road shooting pictures.

It is quite capable off road, although it could really use at least an auto locker in the rear for the real tough trails. I carry a little 12 volt compressor, so airing up and down is easy.

Some modification of the Thule rack and you could shoot like the pros.

I already have a basket up there that I use exactly like that.

I don't see the gun rack.

Tom Suddard wrote: ... and enough pulling power to even drag Mike Guido away from teenage children.

Ha! Good work out of you, young Suddard Jedi. Truck's coming along nicely.

I always liked the 'stumpys'.

Later type:

Overseas only Isuzu Trooper, convertible, late style:

Yeah, I know the ad says American Isuzu. Like this handout says this one made the show circuit, but according to the guys at AIMI back in da day none were actually imported for sale.