VT_Maverick's 5 Speed Swap

[Leon R]

You lose TOD with the Manual Trooper as its only a 2wd-4hi-4lo. Also you get a 2-1 low gear () on the transfer case with the Trooper. Keeping the VX transfer case with this swap is key.

Does this transfer case have a "center" differential, so that it could operate on dry roads like an AWD?

[VXorado]

Does this transfer case have a "center" differential, so that it could operate on dry roads like an AWD?

No, the 4wd Hi/Low positions are locked. You'll be rolling around in 2wd for dry pavement.

[Leon R]

Bummer . Hard to believe that Isuzu didn't have a center diff option. But I now understand why you go through the considerable effort to adapt TOD.

[SilverBullet75]

Just a quick verification...
'98 5 speed Trooper 4x4 is 100% compatible with this swap, correct?

[vt_maverick]

Believe so. IIRC the Trooper's went to electronic throttle vs. throttle cable for 2000 so you must have a 98 or 99 ECU to be compatible with the VX.

Verify with Buffy though.

[SilverBullet75]

That's what I thought too.
I have my eye on one...
I just don't like the mileage... 175k.

I missed out on one the other day for $750, at 90k.

Thank you!

[bartmanS4]

Just a quick verification...
'98 5 speed Trooper 4x4 is 100% compatible with this swap, correct?

Yes indeed.
My donor was a high mileage '98. If I could've found a low mileage one I would have but it seems the '98-01 5spd Troopers are a bit rare. Mine does make a strange sound in 3rd and 5th that sounds like the blower fan is on. Don't know what it is but just when the shifter is in the forward position. Probably would do it in 1st too but never go fast enough in 1st to hear it. It stays the same with clutch in or out. Not a big deal and doesn't effect performance but odd just the same.

[SilverBullet75]

Awesome!
Thank you!

[vt_maverick]

Stay patient, I paid $800 for my 99 with 93K miles and no engine. Jerry Lemond's recommendation was not to service the AR-5 before 150K miles, so I don't plan to mess with it for another 40K miles. If you settle for something with 175K miles you can probably add a transmission service/rebuild to your price.

[SilverBullet75]

Excellent advice.
Thank you.
Passing on this one.
I've seen about 4 pop up within a 300 mile radius of Vegas within the last 3 months... Some over priced. Some great priced.

How hard do you think it would be to piece-meal it?
I think between You/Buffy and BigMeat(?) there is enough of a parts list to go off of.

[vt_maverick]

Definitely would be harder, more time consuming, and almost certainly more expensive. BigMeat piece-mealed his I believe so it can definitely be done, but I know Buffy said that being able to see the AR-5 completely installed and wired up in the Trooper made it easier to know what needed to go where.

Plus a truck sitting in your driveway is better than a mountain of loose parts in your garage.

[Leon R]

Plus a truck sitting in your driveway is better than a mountain of loose parts in your garage.

That is largely dependent on your marital status

[bartmanS4]

How hard do you think it would be to piece-meal it?

It wouldn't be that difficult, off the top of my head the parts list:

From '98-01 Trooper
AR5
ECU
Flywheel
Clutch master cylinder
Clutch hydro line - or new
Clutch slave - or new
Fuel line
Exhaust*
-optional
-Shifter boot
-Fuel level sender unit*

Rodeo
Clutch pedal assembly
-optional
-brake pedal assembly*

New
Clutch assembly



*not sure the exhaust really needs to be replaced but you may end up with o2 sensors codes popping up it not used. Mine needed replacing anyway so I used the Trooper one. However, if you plan to off-road a lot the crossover should be rerun. The Trooper exhaust crosses under the front prop shaft so it extends downs right after the front cross-member and will be the first thing to hit when dropping off ledges. Eric's (owns BigMeats 5 spd rig, I think we should change his username from Etfren to LittleMeat ) exhaust had this re-routed over the top of the prop shaft to eliminate this problem, although i would wager his passenger floor get pretty hot, maybe Kaylie can chime in. I will be doing this in the near future 'cause I definitely took some hits on the exhaust in Moab. Nobody can say I was treading lightly there but I'm learning.
Here is a picture of Eric's exhaust.

*Fuel level sending unit is calibrated in the ECU and I found running the Trooper ECU with the VX sending unit was mis-calibrated and I was empty with 1/4 tank still showing on the guage. Swapped the sending unit and all is well now.

*If the stock pedal is used it is too close to the clutch pedal and I would hit the brake occasionally when depressing the clutch. I just cut a centimeter off both sides of my stock brake pedal and added some aftermarket pedal covers.

[vt_maverick]

That is largely dependent on your marital status

Lol...

[Buffy]

The ECU from the 98 or 99 Trooper is what you need. The trans can come from a 98 or later. I currently have a spare 5 speed swap sitting at my shop I am toying with selling. Was going to use it to build the black VX that went to Tom. I have an AR5 with 63K miles, the computer and flywheel that I am thinking about selling. Still hadn't decided if I would install in my silver VX. But should I sell it I would be asking 1000.00 for it all. I also have the manual gas lines to go with it. Very handy item to have for this install, trust me I know.