My New Trooper!

[jrsteffes]

Just got my new (to me) 2002 trooper last night. Thanks to everyone on this forum for the information! I learned alot from reading the post on expedition portal and this may be my first post but I have been researching for months! The Trooper has 59,000 miles and the G80 limited slip. I hope to do some basic mods including OME suspension and shocks, ARB bull bar and warn winch, some AT tires, GPS, and so on.......

[bigreen505]

Ooh, purty.

Welcome to ExPo. :wavey:

[mountainpete]

Nice truck and welcome to ExPo :sombrero:

[jrsteffes]

What do I need to know about the TOD system. I understand the way it functions but what are the bennifits and drawbacks? Should I consider the "power mod"?
http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=109&4-HI_conversion_for_TOD_equipped_Isuzus

[ZooJunkie]

Nice Zoo!

[jeff@work]

nice trooper :wavey: The OME shocks and springs are a great upgrade and a pretty easy install.
I think the TOD power mod is a great idea, obviously having a center differential that is locked at 50/50 is what you want for off road. I plan on doing that mod sometime in the near future but so far not having it done has not held me back one bit.

[bigreen505]

What do I need to know about the TOD system. I understand the way it functions but what are the bennifits and drawbacks? Should I consider the "power mod"?
http://www.planetisuzoo.com/articles.htm?id=109&4-HI_conversion_for_TOD_equipped_Isuzus

The TOD system is great on road, but somewhere between worthless and unnecessary off road. You should definitely consider the power mod, and it is very high on my priority list. What you need to consider when deciding whether it is a high or low priority is how much time do you need the capability of front and back wheels moving at the same speed with either high wheel or vehicle speed. The only two conditions I can think of where that is important to me is sand and deep snow, which for me is important.

The only good reason not to do the mod is if 4-lo is tall enough to encompass all the times you need equal front and back wheel speed, which is a distinct possibility. I was surprised how much more traction I had in 4-lo (center diff locked) than in 4-hi (TOD).

The problem with the TOD system from a traction point of view is that it is a reactive system, and therefore kicks in after it is too late, and therefore puts added stress on the system.

[jrsteffes]

Thanks for the feedback. I am looking forward to using/modifing this Trooper. There is definatly no lack of inspiration on these forums!

[Scott Brady]

SWEET, you are going to love that truck :wings:

My 98 has been a faithfull and capable machine for many years.

[datrupr]

SWEET, you are going to love that truck :wings:

My 98 has been a faithfull and capable machine for many years.

:iagree: I love mine, but did not have TOD, so I can not comment on the plusses and minuses of the system. But I have no complaints as to the abilities of my Trooper.

[jrsteffes]

Once again thanks for the feedback! I cant wait to get the Trooper in the dirt and try it out. Ive got some days off coming up...........maybe my first mini-adventure! (Well documented of course!)

[jeff@work]

The only good reason not to do the mod is if 4-lo is tall enough to encompass all the times you need equal front and back wheel speed, which is a distinct possibility. I was surprised how much more traction I had in 4-lo (center diff locked) than in 4-hi (TOD).

This is actually something i've been trying to figure out... I couldn't find anywhere it said that low range provided a 50/50 lock but it did feel like it was a 50/50 lock when driving off road. Are you sure it does the 50/50 lock in low range?

[bigreen505]

Are you sure it does the 50/50 lock in low range?

Pretty sure, it was either in the owners manual or I read it somewhere else. If nothing else watch your TOD display and see if it changes when you shift into low range.

[jrsteffes]

When you engage 4-low the TOD shows all four wheels solid green meaning full lock I would presume. In 4-hi TOD only lights up the front wheels under fast acceleration or wheel slippage. The power mod is cheap ($25) as long as its done in the proper way and the vehical is not harmed by the mod I dont see why not to do it. It would only expand your options as far as 4 wheel drive mode selection goes, giving TOD owners more options than non TOD Troopers assuming that the magnetic clutch can realy form a solid lock.

[bigreen505]

I haven't priced it out yet, but I suspect the way I would do it would be closer to $50 or more because I would get an Isuzu "4WD" switch (the ones that were in non TOD vehicles) so it looks totally stock, but that is just me. Also, the project box that he used is no longer available, so you have to go up a size. Lastly, I would find a power source besides the cigarette lighter. If your cell phone charger or whatever you are pluging/unplugin from the outlet fries the fuse, you lose your center diff lock.

I do think it is important and will get to it soon, but right now I have too many trips scheduled (some just loosely) to do any work on the truck that is not critical; and for me right now, that means some basic maintenance and a cargo storage system, and maybe the ball joint flip (because I already lowered the T-bars and now need an alignment and don't want to do it twice).

[bootzilla]

After driving on the beach a few weeks ago, the 4wd-high mod is almost a necessity. The TOD is great on-road, but in any really slippery condition off road (soft sand, mud) the TOD system gets a little confused and continuously shifts power back and forth between the front and back. I had to use 4-lo on the beach, which worked out ok, but 4-high with a locked diff would have been far better.

I ordered the switch from Merlin right after I got the truck and never did the mod, but I am going to do it as soon as I have a free weekend to poke around the wires. The switch part number in the article is a fog-light switch (or at least that is what they sent me). Not sure what the part number is for the 4wd switch, but if you find it, let us know...

One of the reasons I got a Trooper was for the TOD, since I wanted to have full-time capability for the street (as opposed to a part-time system that the 4Runners I test-drove had).

4wd definitely locks the center diff.


The power mod, though, is cheap and highly recommended.

Trooper looks great! Keep us posted if you do anything to it.

[jrsteffes]

Some more pics!

[ZooJunkie]

I like the white Troopers a lot.

[bigreen505]

Yeah, I really wanted a white one, the the Champagne (or as we call it in Colorado, MagChloride Metallic) doesn't look as bad covered in road grime, so I'm happy.

[flyingwil]

Nice job! What is the first mod on your list?

[bootzilla]

Yeah, I really wanted a white one, the the Champagne (or as we call it in Colorado, MagChloride Metallic) doesn't look as bad covered in road grime, so I'm happy.

That is funny because I went out looking for dark red or black, and ended up with Champagne, which I originally hadn't considered (I didn't even know they had that color until I saw the one I bought), I really like it, now.

Lovin' the pics - the two-tone looks great!

[jrsteffes]

The only thing I worry about is that I would like to get a ARB Bull Bar one day and I would like to leave it black, which may not look as good with the tan 2 tone.

[jrsteffes]

Nice job! What is the first mod on your list?

First mod will be OME suspension but it may be a bit.

[DBS311]

Sorry to hijack, but once you do the 4wd hi-mod, is the TOD system completely deactivated, or can you switch back to it when on the street?

[jrsteffes]

Sorry to hijack, but once you do the 4wd hi-mod, is the TOD system completely deactivated, or can you switch back to it when on the street?

With the flick of a switch you can enable or disable the magnetic lockup of the transfer case. So yes, you can switch back.

[datrupr]

Karson, if you do not want the TOD at all, look for a 98 or 99. TOD was an option in those years, and in the 98's not a very common one. Mine is not TOD equpped and I have to say, I do not think I would miss it if it had been. But then again, I have not spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a TOD Trooper.

[jrsteffes]

Karson, if you do not want the TOD at all, look for a 98 or 99. TOD was an option in those years, and in the 98's not a very common one. Mine is not TOD equpped and I have to say, I do not think I would miss it if it had been. But then again, I have not spent a lot of time behind the wheel of a TOD Trooper.


I would agree that a vehical without TOD would be nice, but its not to much trouble to do the mod. It will be alot easier to find a '01 or '02 with low miles and TOD and then do the power mod.

My only question would be is there really 100% lockup in 4-low and in 4-hi with the mod or will it slip under force?

[bootzilla]

Yup - once that center diff is locked up, it won't slip front-to-back. If you've ever checked out the last generation Montero - the power mod would give you the same options as that t-case - 2wd high, AWD, 4-hi (with power mod), and 4-lo.

One of the reasons I actually bought the Trooper was for the TOD. I liked my AWD on my previous truck so much, that I wanted to have that capability again.

The system is a little archaic compared to the current systems that use the ABS breaks for individual wheel control, but I still think it is a handy feature for severe weather. The steering is a little heavier with TOD on, but there is no binding or hesitating between axles, and the system is far quieter than the Full-time 4wd on, say, a Discovery.

Good for driving in heavy rain or snowy weather, or on loose gravel or dirt I'm sure it would be ok, but in really slippery stuff - mud, sand, etc. - the TOD gets too easily confused and is not effective, forcing you to go to 4-lo to lock the center diff...those are the times when the power mod would make things much easier.