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"My Trooper Acquisition" -IMAMONSTERTRUCK

49K views 127 replies 25 participants last post by  bradzuzu 
#1 ·
I have owned 3, 1st Gen Troopers and bought my first one in 1999. Sadly in 2002 I was T-Boned during the ice storm in Louisville on I65 southbound by an XTerra on my way to work. Busted the passenger side door into halfway into the seat and the post was pushed into the glove box. Still was able to drive to work. I was on Nation Weather Channel News for 40 seconds, they shut down the Interstate until the XTerra was towed away. I had watched the news that night and cried. She served as a donor truck up until this summer when I pulled the plug.

Here are a few photos I had dug up







My favorite, we used as a photo in my old bands promo pack. This actually made it on a Jones Soda bottle to. I have a few I should dig up!


My old band on tour in traffic. We took the trooper, my bros camry, and a big yellow box truck for gear.
Stuck in traffic playing euchre...miss those days.... kind of :D
Me in the white, my bro is across from me. My buddy Dean who I visited in Michigan @ the dunes was driving the Trooper.


My best friend Scott and I at the "Sand Pits" in Greenville Indiana.


...and a couple Videos I found as well.
@ the sand pits...


and hitting up the bath on our way out. I used to drive deep into this creek and get away for a day or two. Very peaceful.


Donor status :(











I sold many parts from this truck to members here and have several parts on my current 91 and 89 Troopers.

-------------------------------------------------------

Speaking of my 89, I found this bucket on ebay, or actually my friends father found it and bid on it and won it, unbeknownst to me.
$800 was not a bad deal, it was paid for already and I figured heck, I'll go get it and pay the man back. My friend an I flew to Baltimore got a cab to the guys house made the proper exchange and drove away. We found ourselves on the hwy running no more than 45mph. We stopped at a service station and found that the cap and rotor, plugs and wires need replace bad. After the fix, we hit the road. It began raining real bad and the wiper blades were, well, there was one on the drivers side arm :roll: . We found a walmart and got some cheap blades, and in the process found the cargo area soaked. Wheel wells rotted. Hit the road. Traveling down I71 we stopped off for gas, and do you guys remember the DC sniper? There was a copycat in 2002 and shot at vehicles on I71.
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2002/10/18/loc_oh-highwayshootings18.html
At this point the truck was running rough and could not get over 45mph again. We had decided to stick it out and push for home with fingers crossed. Got home just fine and the truck need a new fuel filter and injectors. This truck has been a great truck, runs strong and aside from the rust, a dag gone good truck.

A few photos...

Bringing home our canoe...



I wish I had more, because I have had more memories in the 89 than the other two combined. Sometimes that just how it goes. Plus, I may be selling this one soon to a friend... we'll see.

A few links to posts regarding this Trooper...
Just photoshttp://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=41658
filter/sending unit, housing/casing cracked.http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41631

------------------------------------------------

This one was not mine, but my brothers and I mention it only because of his genuine love for the 1st gen Trooper. After I had purchased my 89, I left for tour. I always allowed my brother to drive my trucks when he needed to. My band was on tour, he usually would ride with us and sell merch, roadie and what not, this time he did not. I come home from tour and there is a 90 Trooper sitting in the drive, he was at work with my truck. My mind raced with every possible scenario the mind may muster. He arrived home with a grin a mile wide. He waited for me to ask, so I did and he said "YES" before I finished the obvious question. That goofball brother of mine, bought this truck with 87K miles on it for $600! The next day we took it out to dads farm to swap some stuff from the 91 I had in storage. Well, I followed him and noticed the rear passenger side hopping. I flashed him to stop, he pulled over and I crawled under the truck. Needless to say he did not inspect this thing at all. The frame just before the shackle was missing 3 sides of the box. Rust everywhere. We got it out to dads safely and it sat in that barn up until this summer, and we junked both my 91 and his 90. We had parted out what could be salvaged. He did not quite make his money back, but he learned a valuable lesson. Come to find out, this truck was only used during the winter up north, never washed. This is what happen's when you do not wash that B.S. they soak roads with around here.
Here are some photos of it.

*may be graphic and disturbing to some*
























cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
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#2 ·
Now, my current 91 Trooper I had found on Craigslist...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41836

A few members here actually went to inspect it for me, and based on their opinions, Carol and I took the plunge. We flew to Arizona and drove this thing back. The story thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=43977

Photobucket album of our trip. PS, begin at page 8 and work your way back...
http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a85/imamonstertruck/Fly to AZ drive back a Trooper/

Few links to posts regarding this truck...

Aisin HUb install and grill badge recondition...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50336

BFG A/T 33x10.50 on 15x8 Cragar Soft8's 4" backspace thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=50063

MUA 5 transmission - Exploded bearing - pics - Update 7/6/11 thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=52132

Mua5 oil capacity thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=55161

91 Trooper and the Big Brake Upgrade thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59505

Doghouse and fender rebuild from 91 donor trooper after wreck, thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=59855

to be continued......
 
#3 ·
....continued....

Round Eye Conversion threads...
Wire replacement option...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63015

Conversion thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=63186

There are many more projects I have either started or yet to start, It seems I have aquired "Cronkitis". It is a condition where your brain will not stop and your ideas run rampant and the desire in your heart burns like every fire ever in the history of fire since the first fire, burn all at once. These ideas begin to manifest into reality, and before you know it another idea is formed and your garages are clutterd. We have yet to discover a cure, it is something most of us live with and it has not been known to be fatal. :mrgreen:

Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Michigan - VIDEO thread...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=62859

Much much more to come. This is something I have put off and put off since I joined planetisuzoo.

A few photos that may or may not be floating around the forums or not...

The trooper in Arizona before the purchase...





My brother Elliot...


A few shots from the summer of 2011. Added roofrack from the 91 donor...








All for now...

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#6 ·
Yeah, I loved that 1st Trooper. I remember seeing it (any trooper for that matter) for the first time and I had to have it. I remember meeting the owner in Kroger's parking lot on Charlestown road in New Albany IN, getting in it for the first time and driving it. I just knew it was for life. The other troops don't smell the same even and for some reason I always expect it. It was heartbreaking when I got out of the drivers seat, after being hit on I65, It was horrible. Then to see it on the National Weather Channel was insult to injury. I love all my troopers and everyone's troopers but, you always remember your first. :)

Speaking of, I wonder if there is an online archive available to access that new feed?...

Sal, 13 years of the 1st gen Trooper, the time goes by fast. :D

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#8 ·
Dood! The white 91 looked sweet with the square lights on the bumper!

Too bad about the first trooper. Very cool Zu history.
 
#9 ·
Nice story about your troopers! That´s one serious front bumper on the white one :D
 
#11 ·
94Rodayo4x4 said:
Dood! The white 91 looked sweet with the square lights on the bumper!

Too bad about the first trooper. Very cool Zu history.
I still have the lamps if you want them.
Too much lamp for my taste. Seemed to block much needed air.... :lol:

beto said:
Nice story about your troopers! That´s one serious front bumper on the white one :D
You should see what I have on it now. Will post photos soon. :D

dryvr12 said:
Great story! I genuinely enjoyed reading it. :D
Thanks. I genuinely love these trucks. I don't know why, and I don't have to.

Cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#13 ·
I have sold the 89 to a friend. He may pop in some time... who knows. He has taken to the truck and his wife and kids love it. He has painted the bumpers, the grill and has prepped the truck for some body work and paint. It is good to see it being taken care of. We will be replacing the CV shafts as well soon. He is learning his way around the truck and it is fun to help.

I have my new bumper mounted, have photos, but can not upload them at this point. I will Wed.

The bumper is rockin and my York210 compressor rebuild is going good.

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#14 ·
So, some of you may know that I have been in contact with James of http://www.rlcweldfab.com/ about getting a bumper made for my 91 Trooper. He is local, in Louisville KY and just actually down the road from me. This thread had pointed me in his direction...
http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52612&p=536072#p531576
The bumper has been finished for two weeks, but I have been super busy. Painted it in a scurry just before I went to Missouri for my family shin dig but will have to put another coat or two on it at some point. Was able to steal a few shots of the truck over the weekend.

Here it is. James did a fantastic job. His welds are clean and the bumper is solid as can be. He also, as you will see in the photos, cleaned up the frame horns that mount the frame as they were mangled in the wreck I had earlier this year. I recommend his work to anyone looking for a quality custom bumper for a very reasonable price. He also worked with me and my limited know how in regards to designing this bumper.

Enjoy :D







James and I have discussed several future projects for the Trooper in the future of which I am super excited about.

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#17 ·
Well, it has been a year since I had betterthanyou's 4.3 TBI kit installed on the Trooper. Since then I have been slowly trying to determine what had been causing it to idle so high. Found out today! Coolant Temp Sensor was bad this whole time. It finally idles between 900 and 1000 rpm which is good enough for me considering it had been at 1500 to 1800 and operating temp :roll:

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#18 ·
#19 ·
love the Troop dude. That bumper is a work of art is it all 3/16 or some 1/4 mixed in? The idea for the red headlight ring was genius, pure genius ( I may have to borrow that if I ever get all my stuff together LOL)
 
#20 ·
foytiX said:
love the Troop dude. That bumper is a work of art is it all 3/16 or some 1/4 mixed in? The idea for the red headlight ring was genius, pure genius ( I may have to borrow that if I ever get all my stuff together LOL)
You know, I think it is all 3/16 however, the receiver is 1/4, I think.... THANKS! :D
and if you paint that headlamp ring, put a coat of clear on it. Mine are turning pink :shock: ...lol

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#21 ·
Fuel tank painted red......

...in the process found myself some issues. There was resolve and if you find yourself having intermittent power to your fuel pump, your resolve may be found in this thread, http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=65412 Many experienced members here helped me scout issues and eventually point me to the problem by touching on every possible scenario available.
Special thanks to members, EricJette, Squatch, and Ed Mc.

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#22 ·
Glad to hear you got her figured out.
 
#23 ·
Hey! I was in Missouri last week with my family at Table Rock lake. Carol and I were driving out of Big Cedar and I spotted a trail, and we popped up to the top of this spot and could see as far as the sky allowed...



It was awesome and I wanted to stick around for a while but was not sure if it was cool that we were up there. No signs posted but it was a bear to get through these trails, 4low crawling over large rocks, so I imagine no one would suspect anyone of getting up there. Anyhow, thought I would share.

Also, during the trip I was able to meet ********** and scored a set of 4:77's from him.
Check out the install here ---->Operation "4:77 regear"

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#25 ·
Cronk said:
In my best Peter Griffin voice. "Sweeet!"

How did it do driving out there. That's a pretty long drive.
The ole Trooper did, in my best Tony the Tiger voice, "GREAT"! :D Not a hitch. It was about an eight hour drive from Louisville to Branson MS so no biggie at all. This coming January I will be running her to Pagosa Springs CO, about a 23 hour trip from Louisville, so we will see. However, I did fly out to AZ and drove her home with only one issue, the fuel pump crapping on us :roll: but all in all, the three Troopers I have owned have never really given me trouble on long trips. I try and keep all my vehicles up to par and ready.

Next year when we vacation back to Big Cedar, it will be interesting to see if anyone has built at that spot. It was beautiful. you could do your panoramic thing in a complete 360 and have that view. Truly amazing.

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
#26 ·
Well, I have been super busy which is fine, because I am making money :D however my projects on the ole trooper have been neglected :( . Today, I set aside the time to get things prepped and painted that I figure should be. Water pump to go in soon. New ball joints, sway bushings, HD Tie rods, shocks and cv joints to go in soon as well. Also, the 1.25 inch diff drop brackets are finished which is exciting as that also means I will soon have my 4.77's in :p .

Photos will be posted sometime this week. Got to run....................................

cheers
-Ian :blackeye:
 
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