This Solid 2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS Is The Anti-Mainstream Trail Rig

Loveland, Colorado, resident James Tester calls himself an “Isuzu geek,” and with more than 25 Isuzu vehicles under his belt, he has earned the title. One of his favorites is this 2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS, a rare SUV that he has transformed into a highly capable trail machine.

It’s uncommon to spot a VehiCROSS these days, and even rarer to find one modified to this extent. Isuzu sold the two-door VehiCROSS in the U.S. for just three model years, from 1999 through 2001. While it shares many components with the larger Trooper, its futuristic styling gives it an identity all its own.

James says, “The VehiCROSS was a rare, unique vehicle that was ahead of its time in aesthetics and engineering.”

By Automatic, Hello Five-Speed Manual

By design, James left the VehiCROSS’s 3.5-liter V6 largely untouched, save for a K&N air filter and a MagnaFlow muffler. He says, “I leave the engines largely stock on my vehicles to try and keep the heart pumping as long as possible.”

The transmission, however, received a completely different treatment. “I converted the stock GM 4L30E to an Aisin AR5 manual transmission. It’s more dependable and robust than the automatic, which could be problematic if neglected. I like to shift gears, and First gear in the AR5 is lower than the automatic’s,” he says. The five-speed was sourced from a salvage-yard Isuzu Trooper.

Not surprisingly, the manual transmission is one of James’ favorite modifications. “Not only did it improve reliability, but it also made the VehiCROSS even more fun to drive! I call it the race truck, to which my wife always replies, ‘It’s NOT a race truck!'”

Rodeo Transfer Case

Another component James upgraded for trail duty was the rig’s transfer case. He removed the factory AWD unit and replaced it with an Isuzu Rodeo-sourced transfer case that bolted directly to the AR5. He says, “This removes the Torque on Demand system and gives me an actual transfer case.”

But he didn’t stop there. “I have fitted Revolution Gear & Axle low-range gears, giving me a 3:1 low-range ratio, which is a significant improvement over stock.”

Air Lockers And 4.56s

James retained the VehiCROSS’s stock Isuzu 10-bolt front center section and 12-bolt rear axle, but that doesn’t mean he left them untouched. He fitted both with ARB Air Lockers and swapped the factory 4.30:1 gears for 4.56:1 gears sourced from a first-generation Isuzu Trooper. Up front, he added a pair of Superwinch manual locking hubs.

Suspension Mods Galore And 35s

James also turned his attention to the VehiCROSS’s suspension. Regarding the front IFS, he says, “Isuzu utilized a torsion-bar setup on its vehicles from 1986 until it left the U.S. market in 2004. I added HD torsion bars, built a 1.5-inch differential drop, and upgraded the tie rods using F-150 components.” Old Man Emu shocks help keep everything under control, and he removed the factory sway bar.

Out back, he made several changes to the rig’s three-link suspension. “I utilized Independent 4X upper and lower rear links. I moved the axle back about 1 inch to better align it in the wheel opening for tire stuffing. I do run the rear sway bar, but I made quick disconnects.” He also installed Old Man Emu lift coils and a pair of Bilstein shocks.

The VehiCROSS rides on 8-inch-wide wheels that James found on Marketplace. They’re wrapped in 315/75R16 Falken Wildpeak M/T tires that measure roughly 35 inches tall.

Exterior Protection And Gear

The VehiCROSS’s exterior upgrades are all about function. They include a set of modified Jeep Wrangler TJ rock sliders sourced from Marketplace, a custom winch mount carrying a Harbor Freight Badland winch, and a Rhino-Rack roof rack. An assortment of Amazon-sourced lights helps turn night into day on the trail, while custom skid plates add another layer of protection beyond the factory armor. For longer adventures, James can equip the rig with a Roam awning, a rooftop tent, and a pair of RotopaX fuel carriers.

Inside, practicality continues. James installed a pair of heated Subaru front seats and removed the rear seat to make room for his puppy and extra gear.

Trail Proven

James and his wife, Molly, have wheeled the VehiCROSS throughout the West, including trips to Moab, Tillamook OHV Area, Colorado, the Mojave Desert, and the Rubicon Trail.

Is the VehiCROSS finished? Hardly. Is it perfect?

To that, James says, “Really, the rig will never be perfect. I plan to drive it until I can’t fix it any longer or I die of old age. The whole goal is that when my wife, Molly, and I are sitting on the front porch in our rocking chairs, we can look back and reminisce about the adventures and beautiful places we were able to see.”

Photos by Lorenzo Morales, Willy Suarez (@theloneoverlander), Molly Tester, and James Tester