1988 Isuzu Trooper Review: One of the Most Overlooked 4x4s?

[@TheMidasMD]

You will not believe me if I told you how I found this video. I actually searched for "ISUZU BIGHORN 2.6 PETROL" and this came up. I wanted to see this engine because I wanted to have an idea how it performed and to see how underpowered it was. Needless to say, you answered all my questions with your video and did a whole lot more than I could have hoped for. I am over the moon! For those wondering why you would love this vehicle - they couldn't understand. The Isuzu Trooper with 2.6 engine is exactly what the world misses today - a straightforward, no nonsense, simple and uncomplicated utilitarian workhorse whose real value is in its utility and reliability. The ability to maintain and service this truck without help or complicated tools is priceless. I love it!!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Absolutely well stated. These kinda trucks are an absolute finite quantity. A delicious sample of simplicity and rugged utility. Basically, this is what a truck should be.

[@promxrippa]

I still drive my 93 rodeo (australia) 2.6 as my daily 480 thousand kms

[@HistoricMetals]

I relocated to Costa Rica this month from Tennessee, and I just bought a 1987 Trooper II with 330K on it, rough, but ready, driving it every day up and down the side of Volcano Miravelles from my apartment in town to my property on the mountain where Im building a house. The gravel and dirt road is a straight up goat trail on the side of a mountain and this old bastard rocks it out! Its held together with luck and prayers, but it seems unstoppable as long as you aren't in a hurry. I love it.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That sounds like an adventure every day. I like how rugged these trucks are…but you’re spot on with the slowness. Damn fine machines.

[@HistoricMetals]

@@autoobsessivegarage "damn fine machines" - you spelled damn time machines wrong. :p

[@a2falcone]

I'm from Chile, where they were branded "Chevrolet Trooper". My family had a 2-door manual Trooper in the late 90s and early 2000s. My parents sold it because we needed a more spacious and safer family car with a better fuel economy, but selling it broke everyone's heart. It hasn't been many years since the last time I saw our former Trooper going around the city, and I'd bet it's still running. We used to go off-roading in dunes and mountain roads, and whenever it was raining during a school day, my dad took a dirt road instead of the usual asphalt road just for fun. We had family friends with much fancier 4x4s (Mitsubishi Pajero and Land Rover Discovery) and we often went off-roading with them. The Trooper always performed better. Of all the old 90s 4x4s I still see going around in Chile, the Trooper seems to be the most common. It's not a rare sight. A factor that allows them to endure is probably the fact that they share most of their parts with the Chevrolet (Isuzu) LUV pick-up truck, which was a huge sales hit down here and was even assembled locally, so there's plenty of spare parts. Oh, and it did have a radio with a cassette player, so this machine provided my childhood's soundtrack. It also came with cheap synthetic leather seat covers that literally burned you if you left the car under the Sun, so we changed them for fabric. These were the kind of machines that gave core childhood memories like no other.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That's an awesome story and thanks for sharing. They really are rugged and easy to maintain trucks. That's really cool that you still see them driving around down there. They are certainly very rare sights up here.

[@ryanslings6234]

I've had two troopers. Both 4 doors, one manual and one 5 speed automatic. The automatic had an old 4-banger Toyota engine swapped in. By far that was the most capable 4x4 I've ever seen. I was taking it on trails past 4Runners , land criusers, and decked out lifted modern trucks. I miss that truck so much.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

They are waaaay more capable than most people realize. Sounds like you need to track another one down.

[@ryanslings6234]

@@autoobsessivegarage if I could afford to restore one I totally would. I have a 03 Highlander right now, put a set of falken wildpeak AT3s on it, and it does everything I need it to do for now. The Highlander would be perfect if I could get a lift and a rear locker installed. Money's just too tight right now though.

[@ygantmedia]

This was my first car, an 88 4 door 5 speed that may parents handed down to me. Same color, too. The Trooper got me through high school and college and off to my first job. By then it was 13 years old and had more than done its job. Mine did have AC and a radio though! Everything you’ve said is how I remember it. The off the line grunt was actually okay (the 4:56 gears helped a lot) but it was merely acceptable on the highway, at best. The steering required ridiculous correction. I later switched from 31/10.50 tires on 15x8 inch wheels to 30/9.5 on 15x7 and it actually helped the steering quite a bit. I eventually gave it back to my parents but the rust started to get it and the drivers door eventually stopped working. And we have clutch slave cylinder problems we couldn’t quite fix. But man was it a reliable truck and as my first, it’s my favorite!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Epic story. These things were really built like tanks and pretty affordable to keep running. I love how it feels like a simpler machine…and for that, it’s a better truck in my opinion than modern options.

[@ygantmedia]

@@autoobsessivegarage Agreed. My parents bought it in '88 because it was cheaper than the Jeep Cherokee, which is what they wanted. The durability was just a bonus, Isuzu was pretty new at that time so no one realized how tough these trucks would be through the years. It was also surprisingly comfortable for such a stripped down truck, at least for that era. Someday I'd like to find that final of the 5 speed Troopers, which were the '98-2000 ones with the bigger 3.5 V6.

[@anascopel2458]

High guys, and thanks for this trooper series. I still have mine, she is Belinda, a 1988 trooper II LS, 4ze1 2.6l. It's been with me since 1991. I bought it in Utah and I shipped her in the container when I returned to Argentina. Now, saddly I had to convert it to carburation.. and still getting used to the new surgery.... the Ecu did not work anymore and could not find a replacement. Till now, it has always been a "head turning car". In Argentina isuzus were imported as from 1992, so she is just a rare beauty. I love this truck and feel safe with her whatever road I take. Cheers to Belinda and all of you that are fond of these Isuzu treasures

[@asphaltmemories4597]

This and the Mitsu Pajero have always been my favorite of the 80's suv's.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Can’t go wrong with either one!

[@yyassinee08]

mannn there's just something about vintage trucks that these modern ones simply do not have regardless of whatever they offer. GREAT video!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Thank you very much. So damn true…and they will never make trucks like this ever again.

[@yyassinee08]

@@autoobsessivegarage yeahh sadly

[@DavidNotSolomon]

I have a 86' Trooper (called Jackaroo here in Australia) - it is a great 4WD - I have done a lot of 4WD in old landcruisers and the Troopers are way under-rated - I have taken the Trooper up some tricky 4WD tracks with road tyres, where Landcruisers were stuck - the trouble with the landcruisers is that are too heavy. There are still many Troopers from the 90's around the area I live, and they all still look great, in good condition.

[@DavidNotSolomon]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoLNoYZ4n5elqLc and kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIKTYq2mr9Bpack

[@autoobsessivegarage]

I did honestly love my 100 Series Lmd Cruiser, but the visibility in the trooper is far superior. Agreed on the weight. It’s a perfectly sized off-roader.

[@aidangavin7073]

Ive got a mint 87 here in new zealand with the 2.8l diesel 4jb1t. I absolutely love it

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Jealous of the diesel power plants. These trucks deserve way more attention.

[@jayrichardson221]

I have a 4jb1-t aswell, is this prefered over the petrol types?

[@UCm0i6w5lBlRthCtZEoj99tg]

The last memory I have of my family's isuzu trooper before we got a Jeep Cherokee was after we already replaced one engine it stalled on the road once and I'll always remember my father struggling to steer it into the median to try and get it restarted.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That’s not nearly a sweet enough memory hahaha. Some of the engine options weren’t as good as others apparently.

[@frankdunkley1111]

I have a 1989 Isuzu Trooper, excellent condition no rust. 4 cylinder 4 door. 134,000 original miles.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Dang that thing must be showroom clean. That’s some pretty low mileage.

[@keegannoel43]

My 89 was 1000 bucks 5 years ago, and it has never left me stranded or stuck on the mountain forest roads

[@pojupeekkaa]

We had 2.2 diesel trooper model year 84.My father bought new. 65hp without turbo.Greetings from Finland.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Hello there. Those diesels were pretty tough little engines and could have a very long life if maintained. Sounds like it was a great truck.

[@pojupeekkaa]

The engine and gearbox lasted but the body rusted.@@autoobsessivegarage

[@lorikunkle9192]

I bought a1984 Trooper for $500. After a summer of restoration, it has become my everyday driver.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Heck yeah! What all did it need?

[@graemerussell5121]

Got a 1990 Isuzu Irmscher 2.8lt with 85 000klms only . Owned it for about 16 yrs....like new. Love it .

[@autoobsessivegarage]

That’s awesome. Sounds like a super reliable truck and an old friend at this point.

[@SibRevs]

I just picked up a 1987 for $1500. 2.3 carbureted 5 speed. It's gutless but that makes it fun to drives.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Heck yeah, congrats. Great to hear that more of these trucks are out there driving around.

[@danwilson3776]

Just landed an 88 in Florida 4 door/stick/AC/4cyl for my kids first truck.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Hell of a first truck! Congrats!

[@randy-mw5dq]

I have a 2000 with 188,000 its been through mountains, rivers, creeks, ravines, canyons, stock rock crawler.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Hell yeah. It’s at home in any environment.

[@John-d7p]

Good luck finding parts today. Isuzu somehow figured a away to fail in the US small truck market. But, they sold tons to the UN and other international NGO's. Isuzu and GM go back a long ways as co-producers. I had two Isuzu pus, a 90 and a 91. Imust say theywere the most comfortable cabs I had ever owned - until I got 2010 Ford Ranger, but that's anoth erstory. Both trucks blew thehead gaskets at 180K, with the 91 also blowing the heater core - an impossible repair task for the average guy. I would rather do the head gasket. May years ago I owned a Chvy LUV 4x4 "Mikado", a re-branded Isuzu PU. VERY reliable. The Troooper was good looking and appealed to the utility minded owner.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Basic maintenance parts are readily available but some parts are getting tough to get a hold of.

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

My isuzu trooper was a 1987 with 295,000 original miles when I used it as a trade in during 2010, I wish I never did that. It was given to me spitting and sputtering with 275k but I redid the exhaust and tune up, tinted the windows and had did a round headlight conversion. It almost looked like a G wagon with the bumper it had, it was such a sweet truck and I learned a lot of mechanical things working on it. I see 2-3 every day in great condition just parked.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

They are simple and approachable to work on. It’s a very capable truck that’s not too challenging to keep on the road as they are mechanically quite basic. Love these trucks.

[@davidob7157]

I have an 88 Trooper 4dr 5 spd. Rebuilt the engine and cooling sys. Luv my Troopy

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Hard not to love these rugged trucks.

[@tuckerwilliams2275]

Going to pick up an ‘89 4-door 5-speed for the girl next week. It’ll match my ‘88 5-speed 4Runner!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Now that’s a killer combo! Heck yeah man.

[@chromero3783]

Great video! Next you need to review a Montero 1st gen of similar year!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

My eyes have been scanning for a good example for a while now. I’d love to get my wrenches in one!

[@steamy1225]

Nice. Back in the 90's i had a '86 Isuzu Pu'p truck 2wd. love it, This past September 2023, i bought a '86 Isuzu Trooper II 2 door 4x4 with the cool 5speed trans and 2.3 L 4 banger with a Weber carb conversion. It has a rusty frame but not rotted as it is in the rust belt but the body is good. Still working out the bugs but runs good. I hated it at first but now i'm starting to like it.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

They have an endearing personality don’t they? Such tough trucks.

[@fahrmboy]

Nice ride, my friend. Happy to see that Toaster sticker on the back window!

[@autoobsessivegarage]

How can you drive a Trooper and not have that sticker?

[@MTRCustomLeather]

I have a 1990 trooper in the same color. 5spd 4x4. Not as clean as yours but I love it.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Nice! They are easy to love.

[@dersoloist6591]

greetings from germany ! yes, you are right ,the trooper is overlooked and in germany seldom. we germans drive diesel, by the way. the 2,8 turbodiesel is a great machine.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Hello to you as well. It's a very overlooked truck that is very dependable and looks great. I'd love to have one with that diesel engine.

[@dersoloist6591]

@@autoobsessivegarage are diesel engine in the USA avialable, for the trooper ?

[@der_pinguin44]

Consumer Reports is what killed the Trooper. There was a whole lawsuit about it. The damage CR did to the legacy had already been done, and the Trooper wrongfully got a bad rap as a top-heavy rollover risk, when, in all reality, all other vehicles tested along side have higher rollover incidences. Sadly, Isuzu lost. As far as your comment about them being on the road -- There are several in my immediate area, one being a MINT diesel model. I can never catch the guy, though, because we're always going opposite directions and I'm never in my Axiom when he does show up.

[@der_pinguin44]

I also wanted to touch on your comment about the 2 door SUVs becoming 4 doors because they were based on their respective pickup trucks: You mentioned the Blazer which I'll get to, but as far as Isuzu goes, this one will tickle you -- The P'up(US market) became the Amigo then later the Rodeo. Now onto the S-10 Blazer -- the S-10 is a cousin of the Isuzu P'up, with early models even featuring the same diesel engine provided in the Trooper.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

I remember the impact of those rollover tests ruining many SUV reputations of the day…tests that were often not accurate or factual. Awesome that you see them around you, I’ve never seen another one on the road around me.

[@der_pinguin44]

@@autoobsessivegarage location and personification. I live in a heavily transplanted city in Florida, so we have all walks of life, which in turn brings all kinds of cars. One gentleman is an islander who owns several Troopers, first, second, second and a half gene, in a manner of all colors.

[@RalphSpatz]

I bought a 91 2.6 15 years ago has 338k now runs like new even pull car hauler with it bought 5 more since ol lady has one too best vehicle ever

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Awesome to see you keeping them operational. So many have rotted away. Sounds like quite the Trooper fleet you got there.

[@TS84NO]

I had one of these a few years ago, in the same color :) Mine was a 4 door tho, and with a turbo diesel (they mostly sold the diesel version of it here in Norway) Great, and really sollid built car :)

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Sounds like a very solid truck. I’d love to get a diesel powered one.

[@robertsepulveda2229]

The Trooper II is different then the previous Trooper. 87 1/2 and earlier has a different engine and a much heavier frame. Put yes, by appearances they are the same other than the headlights. I had four, 88,89,90,92, at one time, 2 now. There are many on the road and in top condition can garner $10k to $15k. If the one being tested were an RS model it would be worth a premium price.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

You sir are an experienced trooper subject matter expert! The RS is cool with its shorter wheel base.

[@keegannoel43]

You are incorrect. The trooper 2 is no different. I have an 89 trooper and an 89 trooper 2. They are the same vehicle. The trooper 2 was just shipped to the USA without a backseat, so it could be called a truck for tax/tariff purposes.

[@keegannoel43]

The Trooper and Trooper 2 are both considered first-generation troopers along with the round headlight models.

[@fireballfireball1067]

I've got 3 !! 1989 Holden Jackaroo's. two auto and the other 5 speed manual. I love them

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Heck of a fleet man! Jackaroo is a way better name than Trooper.

[@fireballfireball1067]

One of them is called Trooper by me. It Was missing the jackaroo badges, and Trooper badges were easier to get from the usa !! @@autoobsessivegarage

[@BGWenterprises]

I dont know why i remember all this bazaar info, but anyway hear it is. 1984/1985 was the 1.9L 4speed years, only years to have a mid ship 13 gal fuel tank, all other years tank is behind rear axil. 1986/1987 was the first 5sp year and 2.3L engine, and mostly 86 a turbo version of the 2.2L diesel the isuzu pup got. Supposedly about 8,000 came to north America. . 1987 is a mix of the early and late gen1 drive trains, and first square headlight year, or as i call it, the black sheep year. . 1989 was also a special year, only gen1 RS models to make it to north America, its a short wheel base 2 door. The automatic with the 2.6L engine, is a Asian Warner box found in many toyota trucks and Lexus rear drive cars to name a few. . Whereas The automatic transmission used with the gm 2.8L v6 is a 4L30-e made by gm. After 1991 it was the only automatic available and is very much known for poping its guts in terms of short life between overhauls. . There is a small following of foke that have imported the 4JB1-TC 2.8L engine from Japan and swapped American gas troopers over to diesel. There very u-neek in that there fully macanical fuel systems, its best described as driving a street legal tractor. But with the odd ability to rev up to about 4,000 rpms when getting up to speed. Usually for the troopers 1992 and up, imported 4JG2-TC engines are used as they have a little more power. But not quite the staggering resemblance to a tractor engine. . Having personal experience with the 1986 2.2 diesels with 60hp. The JDM 2.8s are lightyears ahead in performance. With near 100hp LOL there ability to run used veg oil or bio diesel being completely free of computers, for the right person, is also a major advantage.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Awesome details and thanks for sharing! This truck has some serious variations over its run.

[@BGWenterprises]

@@autoobsessivegarage the one thing ill add is, there was no sales of them before 84. 84 was the first year of them in north America.

[@gibbethoskins8621]

Such a cool looking design

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Really stands out in today’s sea of curvy crossovers. This is how an SUV should look.

[@Grekos13]

Had a 1990 it was great with AC , automatic 4door 157.000

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Sounds really well equipped.

[@user-zb8ij4zf5m]

We daily drive my girlfriend’s 89 trooper 4 door 5 speed

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Heck yeah! What motor does it have?

[@user-zb8ij4zf5m]

@@autoobsessivegarage 2.6L no balls but she does amazing. They really are hidden gems

[@atiutube2887]

Great Trooper you have. What size rubber are you running?

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Some meaty 265/85/15 tires. Toyo Open Country. Great trail tire with solid road performance as well.

[@victorsolis4838]

My friend use to have one in 2002

[@autoobsessivegarage]

I really hope that truck is still on the road.

[@lawrencewalden6572]

Sounds like the fan clutch is locked up., that will slow you down.

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Fan clutch working just fine…if not she would get real toasty driving up any hills. She’s just slow and awesome.

[@anto427]

is the 2.3 same realiable?

[@autoobsessivegarage]

2.3 is a solid motor. Just carbureted and a little less power. I prefer the 2.6.

[@AXJNSL]

Can i know the paint color code?

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Sure thing, it's 1113P1 or 806 Spectra Red.

[@AXJNSL]

@@autoobsessivegarage thank you

[@user-ii1iy8fz1d]

PHUCK yes ❤ truck things. Found an 2.8diesel mu ( amigo to you yankies) from the same era, they don't build em like they used to. ❤

[@autoobsessivegarage]

The Amigo was sweet as hell, and diesel power is always a bonus. Agreed on they don’t build em like they used to.

[@Grekos13]

should never have sold it

[@autoobsessivegarage]

Same way with many of my vehicles, wish I could keep them all.

[@PatriciaSullivan-o1m]

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