Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

Neil P · Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2004 9:57 Post subject: Transfer Box Problems Help!!!

Have just bought a 1999 SWB 3.0d Citation. Stupidly I did not test it in 4WD. When engaged in high ratio on the road in dry conditions it feels like the transfer box keeps jumping out of gear and then back in again (I know I should not have put it in in the dry but hit the button by mistake). It also refused to come out of 4WD but I have since discovered that if you turn the wheel sharply once it will come out. The Isuzu dealer locally says under no circumstances should this vehicle ever go in to 4WD on the road in the dry and it seems to be fine in low ratio or on the soft. Do I need a new transfer box??? Help please. Also I bought an Isuzu because I had heard they where bullet proof and on reading your pages have discovered that the 3.0D does not have a good reputation. Mine has done 80k with full history and seems good should I worry?? Confused

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Paul Rainbow · ***** Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 549

Its more that IF an Isuzu is going to have an engine problem it is more likely to be the 3.0. If that engine was in a Land Rover, it would be the best engine they had!

Don't know anything about your type of four wheel engagement system, sorry.

pikeyboy · * Joined: 09 Jan 2004 Posts: 23

Not sure about the transfer box but i think it's fair to say that on these type of forums we only hear about the ones that go wrong not the ones which have doen many thousands of trouble free miles. i also assume that engine longevity has a lot to do with how the vehice is driven, serviced and the amount of work it does. I mean all the discoveries that i looked at before buying my trooper were nails. then you look how they get driven, hammered up and down the M1 at 95mph flat out by people that think they are still driving a car and it is obvious why they all have transmissions problems etc etc and drive like dogs.

This is probarbly going to get a few adverse reactions so it's only my opinion, sorry if you dont like it, these comments arent restricted to just discos eithier.
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Paul Rainbow · ***** Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 549

I'd like to be associated with the comments of the last speaker please! 15 years in th motor trade & it never ceased tio amaze me how people treted thier cars. 'Punters' would wonder why thier low mileage car is worthless - and they cannot find the service book ('must be at the garage still') and it looks like its done the Camel trophy - twice.

Look after it & drive it with respect & mechanical appreciation & it repays you a thousand times.[/list]

Mullins · * Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 42

Yoshi · ** Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 109

People think nothing of holding a Land Rover flat out for hours on the motorway,every day,with minimal maintenance,for years.They then slate them when a head gasket goes at 70,000 miles.They're built to work hard over bad terrain,not hold 90 on the M6...My Trooper does that with ease,but off road I could get a Defender where the Trooper wont go.Horses for courses...

Neil P · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 11:12 Post subject: Thanks

Thanks for everyones positive feedback. Used to own a disco 3.9 V8 which was a great car but I used it a lot for towing a two ton boat and got fed up with needing to be followed by a petrol tanker! I bought the Trooper 3.0 because it has a decent amount of horses for towing and will make sure I keep up the servicing. The transfer box appears fine I have had it explained in detail by the local agent to never put it in 4WD on the road again unless in snow. 8) 8) 8)

Andyally · * Joined: 22 Jul 2003 Posts: 21 Location: Portsmouth

The reason you are having trouble with your Trooper in 4WD on dry roads is because of the lack of a central diff.

Unlike a Disco or Defender the Trooper is part-time 4WD and as such is not fitted with a central diff. When your Trooper is in 4WD there MUST be slip between the front and rear axles. This is because when you turn the steering wheel the F\R axles are travelling at different speeds. In effect the mud, snow or sand that you are driving on acts as a central diff allowing the axles to turn at the same speed.

When in 4WD your F\R axles are basically locked together and must rotate at the same speed, this is good for off-road performance as you have to spin a wheel on each axle before you loose forward motion.

When you are in 4WD on sticky tarmac the grip of the tyres prevents this slippage and the result is your transfer box being tied in a Knot!

I guess that there is absolutly nothing wrong with your Trooper. Just save the 4WD action for the mud!!

My Trooper is the best 4x4 I've ever owned, just keep it properly maintained and enjoy.