I'll give it a shot!
1. Are the taillights on the 1999 the same as those on the 2000 and up models (in size of course)? I like the way those taillights look versus mine. If they are I'd like to interchange mine.
I would think so. I think the main change is in appearance. Still should function the same, brake/reverse. I doubt they changed the wiring plug just because of the lens.
2. The Amigo seems really rough. I know it has a tight suspension suited to 4x4'ing, though I haven't really tested it yet . But, it bounces on every bump. Is there something I could do to make the suspension more road friendly without sacraficing too much for offroad adventures?
It isn't too tight, it's actually waaay too loose. Get some Rancho 9000's or other aftermarket shocks, and you'll see a big improment. Even more if you get some firmer springs, lift or not. My '99 rides 200% better now than when I got it. Got tired of looking at the sky every time I drove off at an intersection. That rear end dip on take off and nose dive on braking got old. It's not nearly firm enough and doesn't soak up the bumps. That's why you're getting beaten up. You'll benefit on road and off.
3. Is the stock suspension suitable to participate in the kinds of excursions some of you take, i.e. Uwharrie, Moab? Not necessarily extreme 4x4'ing w/9" lift and 3ft. tires, but rougher than average terrain and go most places than an Explorer (oops, I cussed ) would?
Sure. Just watch your break over, more than anything. Careful tire placement will get you far. I think a lot of people go further with mod's without simply learning to drive better. Nothing wrong with doing what you want with your own vehicle though. I haven't been to Moab :evil: but I know for a fact that there have been factory stock Isuzu's there. Even 2WD, IIRC. As for Uwharrie, at the first big event we had there a local dealership took 2 Rodeo's **off the lot**. Go have fun, go slow, learn tire placement and take a couple of other rigs with you.
4. Does a vibration when braking mean my ABS system is bad? And, even though I am not the original owner, is it covered under warranty due to the recall?
Call your dealership, you might not get the notice about the recall. Take it in and get it fixed. I haven't yet, but will certainly do so. If you were having THE problem, you'd know it, it's far from a little vibration. It's the brakes letting go entirely too easily and almost plowing you into the car in front of you, just because one tire drove over a manhole cover. Get it done anyway.
5. I was talking to a Firestone tire employee about changing my tires for bigger ones. He said he wouldn't recommend it. That it would screw up the performance of it in several ways : It would ruin gas mileage (this I expected), my speedometer would be uncalibrated (this I also expected), but 2 things that surprised me were 1. It could screw up my ABS braking system because the computer compensates based on the rotation of the original sized tires , and 2. Loss of horsepower and acceleration . Is this all true? What can I do to compensate? Do I have to buy a new computer chip?
They always say that. Liability. If going from the stock 245 tire to a 265/75/16, you will probably lose a little MPG, but it won't be as bad as it looks, because, yes, your speedometer and odometer will be off. About 8-9%. So, when calculating your speed, just do it the easy way and add 10% (6 MPH in a 60 MPH zone etc) and do the same when figuring your MPG (if you went 200 mi on the tank, know that you really went about 218). My braking was no worse with my MT's, it improved. Probably not in distance, due to additional weight, but for some reason I didn't have my ABS problem as bad. Go figure. May have to do with swapping shocks at about the same time though, probably does. I wouldn't worry about it, the guy has to give you worst case scenario, there are no universals, IMO and I doubt he knows anything about Isuzu's. You will feel as though you have lost power with the larger tires. This is because the tire is the final factor in gearing. You can regear the Amigo with numerically higher gearing, but that would probably run about $1000 for front/rear. You don't do that yourself unless you really know what you're doing. You haven't really lost power, you've just changed the way it's applied. It's noticeable, but not that bad, if going to 32's.
6. What are the things I can do to add considerable more horsepower? Without spending $3k for a supercharger , and besides puting in an air ram intake and bigger exhaust (both of which I plan on doing anyway). Unless those are the two best things you could do anyway? And on this note, what is the difference between hot air intake and cold air intake?
There's another post about this elsewhere here, with a very good answer (not mine
), so refer to that one.
7. Are putting wheel spacers recommended for pushing out the wheels just a tad more? Just so they don't look so narrow underneath?
Depending on how much spacing, it might be bad, might not. With a lot of spacing, you'll be putting more pressure on places that aren't designed for it. But then, you do that with other things we do to the Isuzu's, so maybe it isn't too bad. I wouldn't do it though. Also, you might increase rubbing when turning. If going to 265's, there isn't really any room to spare as it is.
8. Are those mod chips like you see on eBay true? Or should I expect to just get ripped off? They're like only $20.
Ebay mod's--> Don't do it. Gimmicks don't work, or they may be harmful ways of altering your timing. Wouldn't touch anything that asks you to run a wire from the exhaust pipe, plug into the compressor and puts a hair dryer on the MAF. You can modify an Isuzu, but you still aren't going to be very fast. Even the blower, from what I've heard, is only about 50HP. That's a long way to go for 50HP. Just my .02. Might consider that Northstar engine swap if you have the inclination to go crazy.
9. How hard would it be to change out my doors with manual locks and windows to doors with power locks and windows?
Look in the door, it may already be wired for it. If so, find a junker and pull the panels, switches, motor etc. You never know, it might be easy. Let us know how it goes, and good luck!
Enjoy, and welcome! Hope I didn't give you too much bad info.
1. Are the taillights on the 1999 the same as those on the 2000 and up models (in size of course)? I like the way those taillights look versus mine. If they are I'd like to interchange mine.
I would think so. I think the main change is in appearance. Still should function the same, brake/reverse. I doubt they changed the wiring plug just because of the lens.
2. The Amigo seems really rough. I know it has a tight suspension suited to 4x4'ing, though I haven't really tested it yet . But, it bounces on every bump. Is there something I could do to make the suspension more road friendly without sacraficing too much for offroad adventures?
It isn't too tight, it's actually waaay too loose. Get some Rancho 9000's or other aftermarket shocks, and you'll see a big improment. Even more if you get some firmer springs, lift or not. My '99 rides 200% better now than when I got it. Got tired of looking at the sky every time I drove off at an intersection. That rear end dip on take off and nose dive on braking got old. It's not nearly firm enough and doesn't soak up the bumps. That's why you're getting beaten up. You'll benefit on road and off.
3. Is the stock suspension suitable to participate in the kinds of excursions some of you take, i.e. Uwharrie, Moab? Not necessarily extreme 4x4'ing w/9" lift and 3ft. tires, but rougher than average terrain and go most places than an Explorer (oops, I cussed ) would?
Sure. Just watch your break over, more than anything. Careful tire placement will get you far. I think a lot of people go further with mod's without simply learning to drive better. Nothing wrong with doing what you want with your own vehicle though. I haven't been to Moab :evil: but I know for a fact that there have been factory stock Isuzu's there. Even 2WD, IIRC. As for Uwharrie, at the first big event we had there a local dealership took 2 Rodeo's **off the lot**. Go have fun, go slow, learn tire placement and take a couple of other rigs with you.
4. Does a vibration when braking mean my ABS system is bad? And, even though I am not the original owner, is it covered under warranty due to the recall?
Call your dealership, you might not get the notice about the recall. Take it in and get it fixed. I haven't yet, but will certainly do so. If you were having THE problem, you'd know it, it's far from a little vibration. It's the brakes letting go entirely too easily and almost plowing you into the car in front of you, just because one tire drove over a manhole cover. Get it done anyway.
5. I was talking to a Firestone tire employee about changing my tires for bigger ones. He said he wouldn't recommend it. That it would screw up the performance of it in several ways : It would ruin gas mileage (this I expected), my speedometer would be uncalibrated (this I also expected), but 2 things that surprised me were 1. It could screw up my ABS braking system because the computer compensates based on the rotation of the original sized tires , and 2. Loss of horsepower and acceleration . Is this all true? What can I do to compensate? Do I have to buy a new computer chip?
They always say that. Liability. If going from the stock 245 tire to a 265/75/16, you will probably lose a little MPG, but it won't be as bad as it looks, because, yes, your speedometer and odometer will be off. About 8-9%. So, when calculating your speed, just do it the easy way and add 10% (6 MPH in a 60 MPH zone etc) and do the same when figuring your MPG (if you went 200 mi on the tank, know that you really went about 218). My braking was no worse with my MT's, it improved. Probably not in distance, due to additional weight, but for some reason I didn't have my ABS problem as bad. Go figure. May have to do with swapping shocks at about the same time though, probably does. I wouldn't worry about it, the guy has to give you worst case scenario, there are no universals, IMO and I doubt he knows anything about Isuzu's. You will feel as though you have lost power with the larger tires. This is because the tire is the final factor in gearing. You can regear the Amigo with numerically higher gearing, but that would probably run about $1000 for front/rear. You don't do that yourself unless you really know what you're doing. You haven't really lost power, you've just changed the way it's applied. It's noticeable, but not that bad, if going to 32's.
6. What are the things I can do to add considerable more horsepower? Without spending $3k for a supercharger , and besides puting in an air ram intake and bigger exhaust (both of which I plan on doing anyway). Unless those are the two best things you could do anyway? And on this note, what is the difference between hot air intake and cold air intake?
There's another post about this elsewhere here, with a very good answer (not mine
), so refer to that one.7. Are putting wheel spacers recommended for pushing out the wheels just a tad more? Just so they don't look so narrow underneath?
Depending on how much spacing, it might be bad, might not. With a lot of spacing, you'll be putting more pressure on places that aren't designed for it. But then, you do that with other things we do to the Isuzu's, so maybe it isn't too bad. I wouldn't do it though. Also, you might increase rubbing when turning. If going to 265's, there isn't really any room to spare as it is.
8. Are those mod chips like you see on eBay true? Or should I expect to just get ripped off? They're like only $20.
Ebay mod's--> Don't do it. Gimmicks don't work, or they may be harmful ways of altering your timing. Wouldn't touch anything that asks you to run a wire from the exhaust pipe, plug into the compressor and puts a hair dryer on the MAF. You can modify an Isuzu, but you still aren't going to be very fast. Even the blower, from what I've heard, is only about 50HP. That's a long way to go for 50HP. Just my .02. Might consider that Northstar engine swap if you have the inclination to go crazy.
9. How hard would it be to change out my doors with manual locks and windows to doors with power locks and windows?
Look in the door, it may already be wired for it. If so, find a junker and pull the panels, switches, motor etc. You never know, it might be easy. Let us know how it goes, and good luck!
Enjoy, and welcome! Hope I didn't give you too much bad info.
