Okay, I feel like a bit of a heretic even asking this on a 4 x 4 board. I received so much good info on the 3.4 swap that I figured I'd take a shot.

I use my Trooper as a half-size Suburban for my business as a delivery truck. As such, it never goes off road, and I've used the 4 wheel drive just once, and for only about 2 miles (snow). So, I don't think I'd miss it. I'd like to slam this like many Chev trucks, and I know I can uncrank the torsion bars and put lowering blocks between the axle and springs in back.

But, is there a 2WD independent front suspension off another Isuzu product that might bolt in? Like the P'up? Or can I pull the front driveshaft and not incur any problems? I'm also looking for ways to up the milage in this day and age...coming from a 8 mpg Suburban to a 15 mpg Isuzu (city) is quite enjoyable.

Don't hurt me too bad, okay?
Thanks, Jim

Well, all other things aside, if you're looking to gain fuel mileage by deleting the 4wd... you might as well keep it. The change is going to be, by all purposes, irrmeasurable. You'll save a little weight maybe, but with your part time 4wd system, none of those components are turning while you're in 2wd, so there is no real "drag" to reclaim by removing the 4wd parts.


-Rob

Thanks! I know just enough about 4 wheel drive to be dangerous, so that's a relief. The other thought I had that without the front axle being driven, I could swap out the pesky 4L30 for a 700r4... since there would be no reason to keep a transfer case.

Like I said, I'm just asking at the moment.

What issues are you having with the 4L30E? If this is about saving money on fuel, you'll have to burn a lot of fuel at the marginal mpg difference you'll experience to recoupe the cost of a 700R4 and new rear driveshaft. What about lowering the truck makes you think you can't keep the 4WD components?

Removing the front end is actually fairly easy.
You should be able to do it in a half a day.

You have to pull the front axles from the hubs and the
inboard end.
Once the axles are out, there's only 4 bolts that hold
the front axle/housing in...

Put a jack under it, remove the front drive shaft and
the 4 bolts that hold it to the frame and she's ready to come out.
You'll have to walk it to one side, drop the opposite side
down, walk it back and drop the other side down, to clear
some of the other things.... but it will come out pretty easy.

Then, you'll have to get some of those little rubber plugs
that have the screw in them that you can crank down and
expand the plug.
You'll need to put that on the backside of the knuckle/hub
where the axle used to go through, to keep any moisture
and gunk from getting in to the backside of the spindle.

That's really all there is too it.

...And yes, you are saving several hundred pounds of weight.
It will get a little bit better mileage,
but where you'll notice is your acceleration will be a good bit better.
That is a lot of weight you take out from the front end of the truck... it is definitely noticeable.
The fuel savings isn't going to be drastic, but it will definitely be measurable.
It's not about the drag... it's simply about weight.

Wow, quite interesting responses! Lowering while retaining the 4WD, yeah, that's possible. Since the differential is fixed, that'd make it way easier.

As far as the 700r4, just look at all the 4L30 threads and the expense to fix those. Not cheap. 700r4's for the V6 seem to be plentiful, since the V8 700r4 is much more in demand. And they appear to be far less expensive to maintain and /or repair. At least that's how it looks to me. And maybe that darn "Check Trans" light will stop lighting up! LOL!

I appreciate all the ideas and advice. Like I said, I'm just in the early stages of working this out, so nothing's set in stone.

I think you may be confused a bit. The v8 700r4 will not bolt up to your 3.4, The bell housings are not the same. You will have to find a 700r4 out of an early s10 with a 2.8v6. I think the v6 Camaros may have had them too. Where ever it comes from it will have to be a 60* bolt pattern transmission, and those are a bit harder to find than a v8 700r4.

On a side note, a lowered 1st gen trooper somewhat frightens me. I might have to photoshop one to see what it looks like. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

No, I said that V6 700r4's are plentiful, since the V8 guys can't use them. I see 'em everywhere at dirt cheap prices. Maybe that "Check Trans" light would stop coming on with a 700r4? LOL!

There fixed that quote for ya <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Thanks... I never considered the other V6's... doh. Also, I know there's a ton of aftermarket support for the 700R4, which there doesn't seem to be for the stock Isuzu trans.I'm still in the planning stages, though...