Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

[thecat]

'Club - association of persons united by some common interests'

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum, however my friend has been on it a while, so I though I'd check if all he was telling me was true.

Please get a pen an paper ready.

My colleage and I decided a few months ago to accept the ultimate challenge of driving from Plymouth to Gambia in aid of charity. You may have heard of it the Plymouth to Dakar challenge.

http://www.plymouth-dakar.co.uk/
http://www.flpworld.co.uk

What made this very special for us and you is two things. 1) We're considering taking a mark I Isuzu LWB 2dr trooper and 2) the trooper is going to a small villiage called Sankulaykunda in Gambia, who are currently using a horse and cart as an ambulance to take injured or sick children 15 miles for help - they are now expecting us in January.

The later reason is of course the most important. So this is what we did.

Steve and I bought 2 left hand 4x4's to make sure we kept our promise to the people of Sankulaykunda. We have funded the entire trip on our own with a few kind people starting to make minor donations.

We bought a Mercedez G Wagon and Isuzu Trooper, both LHD. The surviving vehicle over the next six months would be chosen to drive from London to the Gambia on the 16th December 2004.

The outcome so far is as follows; The Isuzu and G Wagon are still fighting fit, however the G Wagon is now winning. Why you may ask, now lets see...the G Wagon is a tough old beast but it's thirsty, so why is it winning the race to the starting line again?

Steve joined this Isuzu club a few months ago and I joined the Mercedez G Wagon club so that we could spread the word to the two 4x4 clubs easier.

The G wagon Club has been so supportive - I have had an endless amount of parts and advice proactively donated. Basically we have all the spares we could only imagine we needed. And these have arrived from all over the country, including offers from the US. The moderators of this site and the group should be proud of themselves.

'Club - association of persons united by some common interests'

However, Steve and I were surprised not to even have a sticker donated let alone spare wheels, alternator, starter motor or roof rack etc to date from this club.

So this is where I felt I should come in...a lot of progress has been made since Steve launched our first support request and we felt that the Isuzu is definatelly the car we would like to take for a number of reasons. It's more usable and econimical compared to the Mercedes for the villiages of Sankulaykunda in Gambia, and our comforts come second.

Have a look at her on : http:www.flpworld.co.uk

Please look in your sheds and boots for any spare parts that you can donate towards our cause, repeated parts will act as spares for the people who will be benefiting from the trooper. We need a number of spares to make the epic journey, including an alternator, starter motor, bearings, tyres, shouck absorbers, oil and air filters etc..

In return we offer you the opportunity of being a conscious part of our trip and benefiting from you logo on our car which may appear during the TV coverage.

We need your help if this is a true CLUB, your small contribution will go a long way to saving peoples lives and helping us get the trooper to Gambia.

I already work for a charity and I know the immediate reaction from people is 'will it make a difference?' yes it does I can tell you.

Get searching your back yards for parts, asking your colleagues, friends, your network to contact us to get involved or look at what were up to.

If everyone who has joined this club sent us a £1 cheque we'd fly to the starting line. Now is that too much to ask? - we're proud to have the trooper and represent the people of this club, are you in the club?

We need to collect £5,000 to cmplete the entire journey, so I look to my fellow trooper owners to act as a club and come forward in true trooper style.

We have 8 weeks to prove to the world a 1984 trooper can cross the sahara because it has a club supporting it - I believe this trip is going to make international coverage and I want the trooper to be big news making isolated villiages a cause for future challenges to help.

I hope in the time it took you to read this you have already though of 5 people who could help - please contact us through http://www.flpworld.co.uk and make me proud.

Kindest regards...Ranj

[Google]

[Paul Rainbow]

This club is not really about a bunch of like minded people getting together in the pub every month and doing lunches and off-roading days - it was set up due to the lack of technical help available for Isuzu's and is basically a technical forum. I do not have piles of old bits lying around for my Trooper as I didn't need any. My Land Rover on the other hand needed a shed to keep all the bits in.

Mercedes I suspect are a bit more 'cluby', and not just a help forum. Cannot help thinking they might have a bit more money than me, too!

That does in no way detract from the usefulness of this site to all the people who log on everyday, by the way.

Whilst I am sure what you are doing is exceedingly noble and aultruistic (indeed, I would love to do something like that myself) I think you may be barking up the wrong tree here. I would write to the parts departments of Isuzu dealers as they might be dumping obsolete or slow moving parts you could do with. Why keep a unit on the shelf that only sells one a year, when you can use the shelf for fast moving items? Might even get some sponsership too.

[thecat]

Hi Paul and the rest of the Isuzu Club,

I can seriously say that I disagree with you that this is not a true 'club'
A club does not suggest a bunch of people talking shop about troopers in a pub it's how you interpreted it.

I can say I'm proud to have joined this club as an owner of an Isuzu Trooper, and for me it provides help and support which includes your valuable suggestions. Where I limited myself thinking outside the box, thankfully you helped with your final suggestions.

So this is our story so far.

We found the Isuzu in Devon from a kind chap Gordon, who assured us that it would run forever at 65 miles per hour - we found it on the trade-it website in early June 2004. However it had no MOT and Tax.

Therefore we decided to go down a week later and have a look at it and see if the Trooper would be ideal, it looked sorry but we fell in love with it and asked Gordon to put the relevant MOT and Tax on it for us.

Gordon agreed on a price and accepted our offer and then promised to make it legal for the road and deliver it to us in London - what a star we thought.

A couple of weeks passed and there was no sign of Gordon or the Trooper, so we panicked, we needed a Left-hand-drive 4x4 and after over 3,000 applications being sent to the rally organisers we were fortunate to have been accepted - it took a year of badgering them mind.

This is when we found the LHD Mercedes G Wagon and was offered it at a ridiculously low price due to the reason for what we were using it.

A few days later Gordon arrives spontaneously with the Trooper on the back of a trailer. What the XXXX we thought, however it was a gentleman's agreement and we took on the Trooper as a back-up, we loved it a first sight. It now had an MOT but no Tax, we'd paid for both, but Gordon looked knackered and we both decided to let it go.

The next day, we got a big yellow clamp on it with an £80 fine with 14 days to get the Tax. We'd only had it a few hours and all the post offices were shut - thankyou Lambeth Council for the charity.

So off we went to get the Tax and make it legal at the first opportunity.
Every day that passes the Trooper is going well, the Merc is drinking petrol like a turned on hose. But both are seeming strong with great potential.


This is all getting too expensive for us now as we know have 5 cars in total on the road, so I sell my everyday car and girlfriends Land rover (a sad day).

It's now a nice letter from the DVLA who also give us a fine for not having any Tax, more charity from the authorities, confused we look into it. But have to pay yet another £80 because the people who clamp you are independent. - so please take note for keeping a reminder to yourselves.

What little funding and savings we had made in support of our charity has now been sucked up in fines before we have even driven it 100 miles.

The Merc G wagon club has been exceptionally supportive offering parts and advice should it be the chosen vehicle at the starting line.

Steve my co-drive makes contact with this Isuzu club asking for advice, and makes little progress, we decide the Isuzu is clearly the car to take as it would be more appropriate for the village we are donating it to use as a children's ambulance.

It's October now and have had my first reply from Paul (thanks).

Following you advice I have been contacted by: www.huntandkeal.co.uk..

John Haigh
Service Director

Hunt & Keal Ltd
53 Minerva Road
London NW10 6HJ

Tel: 020 8838 3113 
Fax: 020 88382800

...who have kindly offered there support.

So I'll keep you posted on progress for those of you who are interested and thank everyone in advance who come forward with any support.

If I receive no reply to this message over the next few days, I will bow down to you Paul and apologise for calling this a Club rather than a forum, but I will thankyou for your advice.

Regards......./Ranj

PS: Anyone know how can I get an Isuzu Trooper Owners Club (UK) sticker to go on the side of our Trooper, I think it would only be appropriate.

[Paul Rainbow]

I am all for it and will support in any way I can. I wouldn't mind coming with you if I had the time!

If it is any help, I do in fact have a steering arm and box (I'll check on that, I am sure I haven't lobbed it, but it is RHD. It might be swappable or provide spares), and about 8 wheels and tyres for a Mk1 Trooper I was just about to dump this weekend. All the wheels are 15" and good, some tyres are more than servicable, but you are welcome to them. As I live in Tunbridge Wells it might be worth a trip down to pick them up as they will not all fit in my Rover Metro Cabriolet (don't ask..). I do work in Dulwich though so I am not a million miles away.

I can certainly give you some advice on vehicle prep, but apart from the parking choices you seem pretty well tuned in on that.

Ring me on 07867 797491 if you want to arrange picking them up.

[thecat]

Hi all,

Sorry for taking a while to get back on the site, unfortunatelly had problems with loging in. Thanks for the support Paul and I know we've spoken about you coming over.

The trooper is off to

John Haigh
Service Director

Hunt & Keal Ltd
53 Minerva Road
London NW10 6HJ

on Tuesday, they are going to help give it a once over I hope, they've been absolutely great so far. I'll keep you posted with progress on our preperations and support coming in.

Once again if anyone has any spare parts they can donate - please make contact, we still need beering, shocks,alternator, exhaust and starter motor etc.

Be in touch.....thecat

[Philp]

[Paul Rainbow]

Yep, sorry I haven't been in contact - been a bit pre-disposed last week. I need to clear the garage out to find that steering arm, and I have about three part worn All Terrains on 15" Isuzu rims that could make good spares. You are welcome to them if you want them - no offence if you don't as I will just dump them - just give me a quick ring and I will drop them off one evening.

[thecat]

Hi Paul,

Don't dump them!!!! I need 2 spare rims and tyres, you can call me on 07931 543 089 if I have'nt got through to you. We're dropping the Isuzu off on Tuesday to superstars John at Hunt & Keal Ltd. I still need loads of parts, reaching out to all Isuzu Trooper Club members, please contact me if you have any spares.

And thankyou for the support and confidence from those of you who have taken time to read this post.

Ranj

[jocten]

Hello Ranj, I am fairly new to 4x4 ownership and as a result, I don't have any spares. Like Paul, I do wish that I was coming with you. As much as I appreciate that this could be an arduos and dangerous journey, I do envy you and Steve and wish you both all the best in terms of luck, safety and achievement of your ultimate goal. Have a safe and fulfilling expedition.
TTFN, Jock.

[thecat]

Hi All,

Here's the latest on progress with our preparations.

There is definitely an Isuzu protection cloud following us, John Haigh the brilliant Service Director at Hunt & Keal Ltd is not only one of the kindest gentlemen I have had the pleasure to recently meet, but has also I believe pulled through for not just my charity drive but also for this club.

Although he was struggling to find some of the parts for the Trooper via Isuzu – he took those extra steps that most don’t and didn’t give up.

He and his colleagues have helped enormously with their mechanical advice.

Hunt & Keal Ltd are now compiling a service kit, (consisting of 2 oil filters, 2 air filters, 2 fuel filters, set of plugs, & a spare set of all 4 drive belts) a repair kit,(consisting of jubilee clips, various spare hoses, wires, tie wraps, spray oils, exhaust clamps etc) 4 good road tyre & even a large ISUZU flag.

John Haig and Hunt & Keal Ltd have given us Trooper owners a fighting chance to make us the first Isuzu Trooper and club to complete the 4,000+ charity drive to Gambia. Many have tried before but failed – we will not!!!.

Our kind club member Paul Rainbow has offered us two tyres and rims which we desperately need – (particularly the rims now Paul)

For those who want to know or care, The Mercedes G Wagon was sold this weekend to support funding this trip, so it’s Isuzu Trooper or Bust for us now.

We’re continuing to scour the country for a clutch, alternator and bull bar for a Mark1 LHD 1984 trooper (please check behind the lawnmower in your garages) but I must admit its been difficult.

And finally thank you all for your support so far, YES..YES.. it does make a difference when you know there are Isuzu Trooper enthusiasts and owners routing behind who want you to succeed.

I’ll be back on this post with further updates as the weeks draw closer, in the mean time I’d like you to consider the following.

Hunt & Keal Ltd have asked us for nothing, in return for their generosity and support – I would like this club to thank them by ordering your parts and servicing your vehicle through them in the future. These guys need a big thankyou from this club and I. I contacted over 50 Isuzu specialists and garages in the UK and only one replied.

Hunt & Keal Ltd demonstrate what every customer should expect. A dream relationship with their garage, car & mechanics. When I know doubt buy myself a Trooper on my return to the UK – you know where I’ll be taking it to – yes a reliable and honest source. THIS IS HOW IT SHOULD BE FOR EVERYWHERE.


PLEASE CONTACT OR KEEP THEIR DETAILS HANDY..... TODAY!!!!

John Haigh
Service Director

Hunt & Keal Ltd
53 Minerva Road
London NW10 6HJ

www.huntandkeal.co.uk

Tel: 020 8838 3113
Fax: 020 88382800
Mobile: 07786 066222

[Paul Rainbow]

Good to hear! Have you gat the car back now? If so I'll bring the wheels up Friday or Monday (ish, depending if the wife needs the bigger car!).

Still looking for that ruddy steering box.

[thecat]

Hi Paul,

The cars back in Duwich so please give me a call when you have the rims and tyres. Only a few weeks to go now.