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Making the Most of My IFS

jimpaget

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[firesuit on]

I have driven a relatively stock 19991 Isuzu Trooper for about a dozen years. In 1999 I swapped the stock (Chevy) 2.8 for a GM Performance 3.4 with a throttle body plate and a Holley TBI. I have done about a 2 1/2" suspension lift, some heavier torsion bars and some other minor suspension components.

In 1999 I also put on a ARB bullbar, but it sat empty until last spring. I also have a custom rear bumper and rock sliders.

Last summer I installed an on-board air system in preparation for ARB lockers, one of the few options available at the time for locking Isuzu axles. (Since I bought the ARBs, Aussie Lockers have come available for the front and will soon be available for the rear).

In late September, with Crash's help, I installed a rear ARB, using the stock 4.56 gears.

Now I am in the midst of re-working the front end. The diff is out waiting for the ARB. When the diff goes back in, it will be attached to extended diff drop brackets which I have cooked up. That will necessitate a new crossmember to clear the dropped diff. The crossmember is also the attaching point for the engine skip plate. I also removed the swaybar.

While I have the whole thing apart I am replacing a leaking steering gear with another that I have and then I will rebuild the original. I am also installing some extremely heavy duty tie-rods from Independent4X and Bilstein remote reservoir front shocks from an Isuzu VX.

Really major surgery on the front-end with have to wait until I can afford a tow vehicle and trailer.

[/firesuit]
 
Well, everything is done.

Both lockers are in and working. The axle has been dropped. The steering gear has been replaced. I ended up modifying the stock cross-member rather than building an entirely new one.

I have new CV boots.

The winch rope has been re-spooled.

And best of all, the rig is loaded and leave for Moab after work on Sunday.

(In June, perhaps July I will be installing Teralows in the transfer case).
 
Last edited:
Ok, I will get some pictures up soon.

I got back from Moab last night. Everything that I mentioned worked well.

I only ended up wheeling two days of the four I was there due to a u-joint blowing up and ejecting itself and half the rear driveshaft, all before I had put a wheel in the dirt. Luckily, a buddy was running late and was still in Sacramento, so he was able to pick up an entire rear driveshaft assembly (two piece, plus a carrier bearing) for 50 bucks at a J/Y. The u-joints on the replacement unit even had fresh grease in them.

This summer I will be putting in crawler gears in the transfer case and 5.38s in the axles in the fall. That will let me go to 35s.:beer: :beer:
 

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