VT_Maverick's 5 Speed Swap

[blacksambo]

Well Greg and I met a few hours ago and I drove the VX back to my place and promptly parked her in the garage (need to do a few things before I leave her tomorrow afternoon for a business trip ). I've only driven her those 7-8 miles but I can tell you this much: someone at Isuzu should have been fired for not offering the VX with a manual option. It's a completely different driving experience with the manual, way more fun even with the puny stock 215 HP. The clutch is buttery smooth both in terms of pedal travel and the "feel" of moving between gears. The ratios are interesting in the AR-5, 1st and 2nd are strong enough to pull you forward without even pressing on the gas - and I'm pretty sure you could start out in 2nd if you wanted to. Should be LOADS of fun once I get "launching" down... And of course the install was just as clean in person as you'd expect from the pictures Greg's posted here - just a little bit of Dremel work was required to keep the stock VX center console.

I am VERY impressed and EXTREMELY happy with the finished product. Now I'm going to go back out to the garage and think up an excuse to drive her again tomorrow morning before I leave. Thanks again Greg! Fantastic job!!!

I have to remark here. No Isuzu did not miss the manual shift option, in fact five were built for factory racing efforts. What we must remember is that VX was a concept car that was designed to be seen by more than the auto show attendees. That mean't it had to be inviting to drive by the widest range of potential drivers possible. A lot of people hate manual shift. They think it's too much work, especially for a $30K purchase price vehicle. Isuzu was looking for lots of street exposure of the VX design to trumpet their style capability. Average Joe's climbing rock piles was not the intended purpose. That terrain already belonged to dowdy Jeeps. Isuzu was gunning for the suburban weekend warrior showing off in the supermarket parking lot so somebody would be inspired buy an Ascender or Axiom to please their wife, but still remember fun the VX halo cast on their family everyday vehicle.

[VXorado]

Isuzu was looking for lots of street exposure of the VX design to trumpet their style capability. Average Joe's climbing rock piles was not the intended purpose. That terrain already belonged to dowdy Jeeps.

Surprisingly the trend is going toward auto transmissions in the 4 wheeling scene mainly because its much easier to drive an auto in rough terrain. Racing is manual transmission's last stand but with dual clutch autos now being used in supercars, they may be fazed out on the track too.

Personally I love manuals & can't wait to be stalling out on those rock piles soon

[vt_maverick]

Surprisingly the trend is going toward auto transmissions in the 4 wheeling scene mainly because its much easier to drive an auto in rough terrain. Racing is manual transmission's last stand but with dual clutch autos now being used in supercars, they may be fazed out on the track too.

Personally I love manuals & can't wait to be stalling out on those rock piles soon

Lol - I think if I did a lot of crawling I would have strongly considered staying with the auto for just that reason. But since I do 90-95% street driving with a few trips in the deep sand each summer it's a much better choice. I also think the extremely low gearing in 1st and 2nd will come in handy when it snows - I can basically use those gears like the "Winter Mode" on the automatic but with more control.

[blacksambo]

Lol - I think if I did a lot of crawling I would have strongly considered staying with the auto for just that reason. But since I do 90-95% street driving with a few trips in the deep sand each summer it's a much better choice. I also think the extremely low gearing in 1st and 2nd will come in handy when it snows - I can basically use those gears like the "Winter Mode" on the automatic but with more control.

I think you might have the winter logic idea a bit off? You don't use lower gears for snow/ice. You use higher gears to start to reduce torque output on slippery surfaces. That's what winter mode does. It starts you automatically in third gear instead of first. You use lower gears for more torque application on grippy surfaces facing steep grade climbs, and for pulling stumps out of the ground. I hope this helps.

[vt_maverick]

I have to remark here. No Isuzu did not miss the manual shift option, in fact five were built for factory racing efforts. What we must remember is that VX was a concept car that was designed to be seen by more than the auto show attendees. That mean't it had to be inviting to drive by the widest range of potential drivers possible. A lot of people hate manual shift. They think it's too much work, especially for a $30K purchase price vehicle. Isuzu was looking for lots of street exposure of the VX design to trumpet their style capability. Average Joe's climbing rock piles was not the intended purpose. That terrain already belonged to dowdy Jeeps. Isuzu was gunning for the suburban weekend warrior showing off in the supermarket parking lot so somebody would be inspired buy an Ascender or Axiom to please their wife, but still remember fun the VX halo cast on their family everyday vehicle.

Yes they did miss the manual shift option - notice I said "not offering the VX with manual option." Saying a race truck counts as an "offering" is like saying that Ford offers a 1000 HP engine in their Taurus because they built a handful of NASCAR cars. I agree that not everyone wants a manual, which is why most manufacturers generally offer only 10-20% of their models as manuals, even in sports cars (the Infiniti G35 is a good example of that tactic). In this case they elected to go all in on one transmission type, which I think is a shame. I believe 10% of original owners might have opted for the manual option, especially given the opportunity to gain a few MPGs.

Also, the purpose of a manual is not exclusively (and certainly not primarily) for rock crawling. If anything a manual makes the on-street driving experience more fun for those that like a manual transmission. I doubt many owners will actually ever do this swap, but I do think those that do will really enjoy the change.

[VXjunky]

ashley was this swap performed to your old (RIP) carcass or the new replacement VX

[vt_maverick]

This swap was on my new (to me) VX.

[Buffy]

I am pleased and relieved that Ashley is enjoying the work. I very seldom work for other people because I am too picky and critical of my work. So, here are a couple more pictures to finish this off with.....

Here is the completed wiring harness I made for the clutch swithces...



The last item to address was the trans cooler lines in the radiator. I just removed one of the lines and looped the other over...



The transplant is complete and the patient is back better than new. Thats a wrap for Dr. Buffy ...



On our way to make a little boys Christmas wish come true!

[Etfren]

Fantastic job Buffy! Looks great and is sounds like Ashley is loving it!

[RabidPony]

What year range donor Trooper would be best?

[Buffy]

The 99 Trooper is the best. I think after 99 the Troopers went to drive by wire. But over all any 98 and above will work. 2000 and up will require you to have the computer reprogrammed.

[SilverBullet75]

Does it matter what engine it has? Isn't there a 4 cyl, 5 speed?

[vt_maverick]

According to Edmunds the 3.5 V6 was the only option in 98 and 99. I think they discontinued the 4 cylinder on the previous generation maybe?

[SilverBullet75]

Were there any issues mounting the new transmission to the VX chassis?

[Buffy]

Were there any issues mounting the new transmission to the VX chassis?

It is a direct swap. Meaning the cross member is the same even your original driveshafts are reused. Everything bolts into place. You have to remember the VX is built on the RS Trooper frame that the US did not get. All parts and pieces bolt in place using factory hardware.