Hey guys I recently aquired an Isuzu Trooper with 99,000 miles on it for 300 bucks. It needed a head (cracked) and a headgasket. I ended up ordering a new head and am waiting on its arrival. The question I have is: What size tires can I run on this thing without bad scrubbing? If I crank the torsion bars will I be able to fit 33x14x15 tires? Just wondering because it looks like there is tons of space in the wheelwells.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

What year? Big difference between 1st gen (1991 & older) and 2nd gen (1992+) models...

Given the cracked head, I'm guessing 1st gen...:rolleyes:

No, you can't fit 33x14's without rubbing.

With a body lift and very minor trimming you can...

But that's an awful wide/tall tire to be turning with a trooper that only has one head on its engine. You don't like speeds over 55mph do you?

Eric, he said he ordered a new head. Logic then follows that after he makes the engine whole again, he's going to start building it to wheel. You know, we ARE on a 4x4 board.

Eric is probably assuming that it only has one head as a 'whole' engine (ie. 4-banger). Given the cracked head/blown head gasket, I would assume the same since that was a fairly common problem with the early Isuzu 2.3/2.6 engines. I'll also agree that a tire that tall and wide on a 4 cyl with stock gearing won't like interstate speeds much unless he lives in a flat area (luckily, I do live in a flat area or I wouldn't be as content with my stock gearing). If you are just building a moderate trail toy and not concerned about going over 70mph, I say go for it! Regearing is always an (expensive) option if you need it.
________
Jeep Cherokee (Sj) (http://www.dodge-wiki.com/wiki/Jeep_Cherokee_(SJ))

Yikes...

I HAVE been a little punchy lately.

It is a 2.6 and I ordered a head from e-bay for it and it cost me about $400.00. Here is the link...http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-ISUZU-2-6-4ZEI-CYLINDER-HEAD_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33617QQihZ008QQite mZ180127276609QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW.
Do you guys think it is a good start? I just got the head in today and It looks really good...pre assembled and lubed, valve clearances done and did I mention band new! For a highschool kid I guess I'm doing Ok and on the gearing I would like to be able to drive it 70mph so what IS the biggest tire I should run on it and still be comfortable on the streete and trail....

And, what other modifications are there to do to this thing? Common stuff not like a SAS yet...?

thanks,
Chris

just for future reference............this is the way to go on these:

http://www.aluminumheads.com/Isuzu.html


good company from the guys i know that have used them.

TJvigilante - some of us drive to the trails :D

Scarboy - 31x10.5's are as big as you'll want to go if you like to see the top side of 60 mph more than just down hill and down wind. 33x10.5" if you want the biggest diameter. Wider tires have considerably more rolling resistance and wind resistance - yes you CAN put whatever you want to on it, 35's with a body lift if you feel like it, but if driveability matters to you at all, 31's are the way to go.

For reference I have 33x12.5 BFG a/t's on my v6 trooper and can't drive 65mph into a headwind unless I'm down a gear and screaming 3500 rpm. Not a good daily drive and not a good way to get to the California and Utah trails.

well,the the head I got on e-bay is a Pro-topline head, just about 60 bucks cheaper.....fand I am having some trouble timing the engine now....I believe the cam sprocket to be 180 degrees off.