Joyner Trooper T2

[rocmoc]

I am starting this topic as I had hijacked the Rhino vs RZR topic. Sorry! I will try to fairly report the performance and reliability of my new toy. Arrives tomorrow and it will get its first test drive. If the guys who put up the pics and link on the other topic would do so here, I would really appreciate it. Thanks
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[rocmoc]

First note about parts. I reviewed the parts availability against the parts prices. The only area I have found lumped together as a system was brakes. All other parts I have looked at were one item and fairly priced, I have not looked at everything. In fact the parts in general were priced less than my other toys. I plan on visiting the home office in Tempe/Phoenix at the end of Jan. I will asked them why the lumped brake system. They do not make most of the components, so there is not any reason anything should not be available as an individual item.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Old Racer]

The master cyls used onthe Joyner are an aftermarket master the same as most racecars use. They can be had in Phoenix for around $60 each. Here is one place that has them. http://flexiflyer.com/?mainURL=/stor...cessories.html

[rocmoc]

T2 delivered today and put 30 miles on it in the cold afternoon air. First impressions! Ride and suspension is outstanding. I went over ruts and holes I would normally wheelie over with my dirt bike and hardly lifted my foot off the throttle. Washboard on a dirt road could not even hardly be felt with no side to side movement. I was in two wheel drive almost everywhere. Felt more like a dune buggy. Sliding on the corners and in the sand wash. I use the 4 wheel drive on a hill very chewed up from other people. Never slipped a tire once and went thu some 18-24" ruts like they were not there. Very comfortable to drive. First and reverse are very very low. Never used first the entire time, will be great in major 4x4 country. I drove a loop nearly as fast a I would ride on the dirt bike, if not racing someone. Went thu a 12" deep water crossing, no big deal. The complete underside is smooth and wielded solid, great if you high center but could be a pain to work on. Just very pleased thus far.

The shift gate between 2nd & 3rd takes a couple of times to get use to it. A bit on the wide side. The rest of the gates are fine. Brakes are sufficient. Not sure if I am getting all of the brakes as the peddle was hard and the brake lite stayed on. Something to check tomorrow. Biggest complaint is there are two major rattles, I think from the diamond plate. I will track them down and fix. The gas tank requires a funnel with an extension to fill the tank, pain. I think the top speed is a little optimistic. 5th gear was 40mph at 4,000 rpms. Same held true for 20mph / 2,000 rpm. That would mean 70-80 mph would be 7,000 - 8,000 rpm. I don't know what redline is and the owner's manual are being released next week. Can't push the engine as it is new and what is the redline? Finally it got dirty.

So overall this far, I am very very happy. Time will tell.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[RDO]

What engine in that rig...made by? and is it carb or efi?

[rocmoc]

1100cc Chery, Chinese, efi., extra info - new crate engine is $2999.

[Hubcap]

Cool, nice review so far, post up some more pics. I'm also curious as to who makes the engine. The website says that its efi, but doesn't say anything about engine maker.

[400grl]

That's quite the pedal assembly there!

[rocmoc]

The engine is made by the Chinese Engine & Car Company Chery. Chery has entered into an agreement to build a car for Chrysler for the World market as well as there own cars for the same market. I also read an article on the Internet that says Chery will be the next Toyota. Maybe a Chinese Stock play? Just think if you had bought Toyota in the 60s.

I have done some research on Chery's site and downloaded the manual for the Joyner 1100cc Sand Viper. IMHO the top speed is 60-65 mph, not the higher speed on the Joyner site and redline is 6000 rpm. That is still plenty fast enough for me.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[bronco-bob]

I just took my Joyner Trooper out for its first trail ride. I live in Arlington Texas and the conditions were wet and cold. The first thing I noticed was the amazing suspension, lots of wheel travel and a great ride. The seats are suspension seats and very comfortable off road. I installed 29" Super swampers and true bead lock wheels before the ride. The first hill is long with some ledges, I felt very comfortable with the long wheelbase and just powered up the hill, the second time I put it in Granny gear and locked in the front and rear diff. and crawled right up. It is very hard to steer with the front locker engaged. I really did not use the front locker very much as if got over the obstacles with no problem. I did get high centered on a dirt mound, I backed up and got the front wheels in the air and powered over it. Flying down the tight dirt roads it felt like a rally car, sliding around the corners. It is like a highspeed dunebuggy and a rock crawler all in one package. The only problem I had was the tire pressure (30 psi) I dropped down to 10 PSI and what a difference! My friends rhino could not keep up, every where I stopped it drew a crowd of onlookers. They could not believe the size of the axles, they are huge. I am really anxious to take it out again.
Bronco-bob[img]

[K.T.G.]

PRICE???

[billl2099]

quote:Originally posted by K.T.G



PRICE???

MSRP 2 seat model is $11499, 4 seat model is $12499, for more information on the trooper go to www.thunderinc.com

[rocmoc]

Biggest complaint is gone. Both rattles were easy to fix. Brake light also fixed, was also an easy adjustment.

More review. The storage areas under the seats are huge. I was able to wrap the wench with padding and store under the driver's side. Under the passenger seat I was able to store, 4-way lug wrench, jack & handle, two blocks of wood, tow strap, ties, tools, elec. tape, duct tape and more. Both storage areas are far from being full. With the seats up and the hood/cover over motor up, there is lots of room to work on the T2. Strapped an ice chest in the rear for the Mexico trip. Every time I play or work on this thing, the more I am pleased. I am going to try to get material to make a half-windshield tomorrow. I liked bronco-bob's description of a mix of high-speed dunebuggy and rockcrawler. That is pretty much the way I see it also. I will try to put up pics when I have some trip photos. You can see all the yard photos you want from what is already available on the net.
rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[bronco-bob]

Here are some pictures of the T-2, the suspesion seats are great, lots of room for a tall person. The steering was tough with the superswamper tires and the front differential locked in. This weekend I am going to try the stock 27" mud lite tires. Check out the engine, tig welded stainless steel header and aluminum radiator mounted in the rear. (wont clog up with mud)
I am really liking this machine, check out these axle pictures compared to a Rhino with gorilla axles.

[bronco-bob]

how do you post pictures on this forum, I ve some pictures to post.
Thanks