Isuzu Trooper | Slow but awesome Budget Overland 4x4

The 1st and 2nd gen Isuzu Trooper is a budget overland truck everyone needs to consider. They fly under the radar, are cheap and AWESOME. 3.2 V6, incredible interior room, grab handles, space to mount things. Choose this over an old 4runner and Pathfinder.
In this video I take the 2nd generation UBS Isuzu Trooper off road to explore its capability, get my take on whether I should consider it as my next overland project. I travel into the LaMadre Mountain west of Las Vegas, do some mild to moderate 4x4 trails and give my take.
#Isuzu #Trooper #Overland
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[@Wilt8v92]

The buick gm 3.8 bolts up to these,heaps of torque down low and legendary reliability....

[@KnightDriveTV]

I've let this truck go some time back, but a solid axle, swapped one of these would be a GREAT machine to own...very underrated and in my opinion just so much more suited to offroad/overland vs 4Runners or similar.

[@hughstuffher2671]

10 years later my 94 manual ..trooper still shines..clear coat still bright...no peels or scratches...interior still new @ 260k. No hick ups

[@KnightDriveTV]

Theyre good vehicles for sure. Theyre a solid axle front swap away from being great. Those stubby front axles really hold them back.

[@learntonganwithandrew]

FYI, it's spelled "hiccups", one word.

[@CodyShell]

Two years ago I managed to get my hands on the hard-to-find eaton M62 supercharger kit for the Isuzu V6. I have it on my 98 trooper, 3.5. Really wakes it up! I have a few videos on my page of it. Love the troopers!

[@ethangrover5382]

Hey Cody I love your Trooper I have seen a bunch of you yt videos and it inspired me to actually buy my own trooper

[@hectormarcialgarcia1652]

Keep it I have a 94 trooper in puerto rico and it does the job on mud sand and on any terrain. Excellent vehicle.,loved your video. Thank you sir.

[@vicleopoldo7576]

I love the Troopers! I lifted mine with springs, spacers & torsion bars. N I’ve got 305/70r16s on 16x8 Toyota Landcruiser wheels. Seems to do alright but I still gotta do the diff drop like Cody did n a few other things. But I love my Trooper. I really would like to straight axle it. Did you keep yours or do a different truck? N cool video Bud!👍👍

[@danaracine4451]

Troopers are great very simple

[@karlpatch4146]

Please keep it!! Troopers are great, despite funny noises and sucky automatic transmission problems. I have a 93ls and I haven't done much of anything to it but I love it!! Can't afford to fix it up but don't want to give it away either. So, fix it up for those of us who can't..

[@DoodMangYT]

You check prices of parts on rock auto? Sorry if im being captain obvious just want to help.. lol rock auto saved me before with good parts much better pricing

[@pintahalfmusic]

I love my Trooper! I've had several over the years, and you are correct- the 3.2 lacks torque. My current Trooper is a 98 with a 3.5, and I've been impressed by how much more torque it makes over the 3.2. The 3.5 does eat oil, but as long as you keep it topped off, it will run for a long time.

[@mullerandre95]

Try running a 40 wheight oil in it for about 2000 miles to deglaze the sleeves. Then run it on Dello 15w40 afterwards change the oil every 5-7k miles.

[@Master-Baiter]

Thanks for reminding me to check my oil, just got this thing a week ago so I'm trying to read up on everything about it. 4 wheel drive system is odd but awesome

[@WillorBill]

I live here in Vegas and got a nice 94 5spd 4x4 Trooper a few days ago, what a treat to find this in my first Trooper KZbin search! Super rad! I'm always down in the Jean/Primm area, got rid of my RZR and got this rig now (plates and AC). Subscribed 🤙

[@KnightDriveTV]

Nice! I have a lot more off road ahead...just been bogged down with new products that I launched for Corvettes...gettin back to vids soon

[@robertsepulveda2229]

Luv the Troopers. Just picked up a junkyard 92 5spd for $900 in Dec. it’s running now. Just took it out to the AZ desert near Ehrenberg. Very capable off-roader. Also picked up a 88 5spd, 2.6 in Williams AZ last month, $1000. Engine issues TBD.

[@chaoscat7]

I have a 95 trooper and I love it! 5 speed, takes trails like a champ. I'm hoping to keep this rig for a long time.

[@KnightDriveTV]

I wish I cpuldve kept it but I passed it along to a girl that wanted to get out there

[@claudiocisternas2920]

Subscribed because of the Trooper

[@1strodeo]

LS swap is possible if you change your manual transmission to the late model trooper AR-5. This one has a removable bell housing and they have a kit that mates an AR5 to LS bolt pattern. The AR5 also bolts up to other interesting stuff like a 2jz...Its pretty exciting and is the reason I bought another trooper recently.

[@andrewolson269]

Nice drone work Great area Thanks

[@jasonblaniar9500]

LOVE the old squared off bodies from the 80's n 90's.........and I cannot get enough of the landscape in the Nevada area! Great video bro!

[@naterally2176]

quad is a great tool for recon wont go down the wrong road. i just got a 98 amigo cant wait to go trailing

[@joebradshaw9226]

Love your Drone footage. My Daughter and her Boyfriend are drone operators for San Diego police department. And Adam is a fellow Overlander. My first trooper was given to me by my brother at 140k. Because when Timing belt tensioner fails,sounds alot like engine Knock. Drove and beat on it for13 Years and by the time my wife ran it out of coolant,had almost a half million miles. Sold for parts, but regretted it. It was a 93 sohc 3.2. A year ago,December bought a 99 Trooper DOHC 3.5 automatic. Loved it only drove a month crashed and flipped it over. RIP.=partscar just bought another99 Automatic from Salt Lake city area with engine Knock. Will have it back on the road soon. Wish me better luck this time. I'm addicted.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Appreciate the comment sir

[@shitakiable]

I have a 91 trooper SE which

[@shitakiable]

I have a 91 Trooper SE which came with a Chevy S10 engine 2.8ltr. V6 5spd manual and 4 wheel high and low drive, don't have to get out to lock hub, after about a yr. Cylinder cracked, had rebuilt and clutch replaced and breaks and rotors as well. Had it painted and dyed the carpet black due to stains, Added new rims and tires from 15s to 16s, new headlights and side blinker lights after market. Want to replace tail lights because there eating bulbs and are faded and cracked, but haven't been able to find anywhere, if anybody can help with that please leave me a message. But overall she will actually cruise top speed on high way at 80mph no problem. I love this Trooper and very fun to drive. This was a great video and drone action was nice.

[@daveharness70]

That is some awesome drone footage!.....I already knew the Troopers were awesome.....well done!

[@colemcmeans7809]

Love the looks of the ol trooper. 360 footage shows terrain fairly well better than others I've seen. Running out of torque does kinda suck for cruising off road though. Fucking sweet as hell man.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Ya like the 360? I'm MEGA torn on it...I like it at times, but them when its high in the air it really flattens the road ahead making it look smooth. I think knowing where to use it is going to be helpful. I tell you one thing though...post processing and the added editing time is really a con to using it. Plus its on 1080 not 4k. I am hoping to learn how to incorporate it better. I really liked the low to the ground shot and the ability to move the shot around in post. Thanks for watchin Cole!

[@Eparker09]

Thanks for the content gentlemen

[@rickbroderick9146]

great stuff! exactly what i was looking for with the 2000. I like your channel name and the musical message to Joni's night ride home, one of my fave songs and songwriters!

[@michaelheimbrand5424]

Yep, they are great. And it just got you a a subscriber from Sweden. :) About that lack of tourque. We probably have the same drivetrain. Mine is a manual 3.2 SOHC 1995 LTD. I have done a lot to troubleshoot mine. But it has kind of dual personalities. Mostly it's rather slow and weak. But it has it's good days too. Not a rocket ship of course, but completely effortless. And mine is both lifted and runs on 33"'s. So I wouldn't be surprised if yours the same. And the strange thing is that it's no logic to it. Mine got very little maintenance from previous owners. So I have kind of "reset" it. Multiple oil services, timing belt etc. cleaned EGR and throttle body, fixed vacuum leaks, new plugs, PCV and a lot more. But nothing did any real difference. So I haven't found the real reason yet, but it may be more often nowadays that it has it's "good days". But I have to say, it is pretty good then. And I know it sounds strange, but fixing the exhaust actually is the only thing where i could see a connection between the good/bad days-rate. And I am talking about exhaust leaks AFTER the cat and sensor. It shouldn't make a huge deal on that kind of engine, but maybe it does? Anyway. It's a keeper. They grow on you more and more. And they seem to survive anything. And a 3.2 SOHC + manual gearbox is probably the best you can get.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Yeah, its a great platform in terms of size and shape...getting a modern V6 into there like the GM LV3 would be a game changer

[@graeme1491]

I have a 1994 & 97 since new and neither have cat ? Make sure you have correct fuel pressure & flow is coming from electric fuel pump, 6dv1 doesn't have a lot of torque under 1500 rpm so I installed reduction gears from USA in transfer case, engine happy to rev all day, have fun 😊

[@bradleysargent9803]

I would say keep it. I bought a 95 last year and am building it up. I would like to see what you end up doing.

[@zuestoots5176]

I got a 93 on 33x12.50s with nothing but the front torsions cranked up. Slow as balls but seems pretty good. Havnt done much in terms of ofd road. I think my wj jeep is more capable

[@shitakiable]

Do you know where you can get tail lights for troopers, haven't had any luck.

[@fun2916]

I wish mine was a manual. Rebuilt the transmission and installed a transmission cooler which will hopefully extend the life

[@KnightDriveTV]

Manuals are great in the Troopers

[@jonk6055]

Russel Crowe is a humble overlander

[@KnightDriveTV]

haha....who knew...

[@petergeorge4179]

Awesome video and great scenery. I like your philosophy of the budget overlander. We never got these over here in Aus but did get the ute versions. Does look nice and roomy. I vote keep it as long as it doesn't push the pathfinder out the door :)

[@KnightDriveTV]

Someone local to me took it off my hands already. Pathfinder is just a little more what I want to keep going with for now. Pathfinder has AC, which I'd need to fix on the Trooper and Pathfinder has the tire carrier which I really like.

[@garynew9637]

We had jackaroo in Aus, diesels too.

[@TJackSurvival]

Legit drone shots boss!!!

[@KnightDriveTV]

Thanks man...love flyin it. Big learning curve but it was worth it

[@TJackSurvival]

@@KnightDriveTV I’m currently building a trooper overlander setup. I’m up by Salt Lake City. If you’re over here and want to make vids or go crawlen let me know.

[@TJackSurvival]

@@KnightDriveTV you can put a Lexus IS engine on it. The 1ur V8

[@KnightDriveTV]

For sure. I am sponsoring a drift car up there, on my Corvette side of the channel. My tahoe isnt really rock crawler worthy but, its on 35's, etc. Does well in mild to moderate...lol. we can definitely do somethin. I like having lesser seen types of vehicles on here.

[@TJackSurvival]

@@KnightDriveTV hit me up on Facebook on the page with the same name and we can chat

[@romans5680]

Footage was awesome 👏 what year is the trooper?

[@KnightDriveTV]

1993

[@Bigjobrob]

Crazy, it looks much newer than the Pathfinder.

[@a.hermes5341]

Keep it !!

[@henrywit6147]

Nice video! Loved the drone footage, and the discussion of capabilities: Isuzu versus Suburban.

[@RemoteTrooper]

Vegas trooper here also 😄 dope video

[@KnightDriveTV]

Nice...I got rid of it unfortunately, but I really liked it. It just didn't quite have the torque I needed and all the ac equipment was gone out of it.

[@RemoteTrooper]

@@KnightDriveTV Oh yeah AC equipment is a MUST out here... And they are just slow as molasses. I want to do an LS build on another one someday, the bodystyle is awesome.

[@NWPencrawler]

Nice vid production. Any info on lift and tire/wheel sizing? Didn't see any additional info in your other vids. Thanks.

[@garycousino4016]

Have a 1992 Trooper and the automatic transmission has crapped out. Have another 92 trooper I bought for parts and it has a 5 speed manual. Wondering if it would swap out. Looks like it would

[@ATOMICBOY5000]

Great drone footage😃

[@malcolmlagares8245]

Excellent video. : ) Thank you. : )

[@allenszykula8071]

Just getting ready to purchase a 98' it's a gutless pig but it feels like it has plenty of torque despite the fact that it will go zero to 60 somewhere between Sunday and friday.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Yeah, thats why I went to Tahoe for my current truck. Hard to beat LS torque

[@thisnang6515]

Any updates on the trooper, have you kept it? I was hoping to see what build/upgrades you did on it.

[@KnightDriveTV]

I did not end up keeping it. The ac was missing parts and its imperative to have ac functional here in Vegas. If you see the off-road recovery video I posted recently, I had the WD21 Pathfinder out and we got into a predicament which damaged it. The channel is adding a 2002 Z71 Tahoe to the mix here, for overland/off road use. The WD21 will remain. Almost got an 89 Montero for brief use but it got snatched from beneath me. I'm always lookin...lol

[@westellmodel]

@@KnightDriveTV Those years of troopers are great, but they have their issues to work out. Mostly accessory stuff that goes bad on them. The drivetrain is very durable, especially manual transmission. You can abuse it for a long time before failure. I wouldn't say the same about the aged gmt platform. The engine runs forever, but it you offroad it hard you will break something in the driveline.

[@Bigjobrob]

I’d hate to see you abandon the Pathfinder project. It is quite a bit smaller than the Trooper on the interior. I say you follow your gut, and keep the one you trust the most.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Pathfinder is still here, Trooper is gone...lol. Pathfinder vid is coming...very close to done. I really debated but, I really love the dang Pathfinder...lol.

[@Bigjobrob]

@@KnightDriveTV Smiling because I know exactly how you feel. I had a 93 Pathfinder SE for a number of years. Red interior. I loved that thing. Not sure why but I am constantly on the lookout for another one.

[@wayneware9077]

I have a 2002 Trooper V6. Can’t seem to find a reman engine. Any ideas?

[@LoudMercury]

I've seen someone LS swap with help of H3 parts. If your determined you can get it done. If you do an LS swap it'll make a cool video series that I'll watch. I have a 95 S 3.2sohc 5spd and it's modified pretty good, I wouldn't mind V8 power I'd lean more toward the Lexus 4.0 V8 personally though.

[@jeffgrusky1115]

fpv drones 🤘

[@rustylaboy6197]

Rim and tire size? Did it have any lift?

[@dannywhitfield1260]

2001, GM model great in sand. All stock

[@that96trooper]

I think you could have a couple people interested in buying an adapter if you go through with your idea of adapting a supercharger from a different vehicle and successfully develop an adapter plate. Just because of OEM superchargers for the Isuzu being so rare and expensive.

[@bobbywasabii2382]

Hey man I’m interested in a 1998 trooper 3.5L V6 AWD I test drove it and there was nothing wrong I saw no lights pop up brand new battery , tires were in good shape ,the interior was in good condition they outside was in good shape no rust,couple little scratches that aren’t noticeable, well because it has 138,000 on the odometer but it’s really clean man but the only problem I saw was the front window being taped around shut , is it easy to fix the window? And also how is the car on gas now that gas is 3 dollars now? The guy wants $3,000 bucks is this a good price? He also is a Vietnamese guy selling it for his mom and these cars were popular back in the day for them.

[@giltorres5310]

I have one of these with a 4l30 I'm trying to figure out what differential I have

[@Aaron-hd8ql]

We have a 98 trooper only 130k miles still kicking ass my girlfriend has owned it for 18 years now.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Thats awesome!

[@adamadams6740]

A 4 banger diesel would be sweet in an old Trooper.don’t know if/how the getting it in there would be but could be cool!

[@crystalblevins1196]

Is this a stock setup? I like capable 4x4 vehicles in their stock configuration.

[@KnightDriveTV]

It was fairly stock...been a long time since I had this one if you look at my more recent videos. We built a Duramax LBZ Hummer H2....she's beasty....now that it's fixed from the catastrophe...lol.

[@kevinneumann3845]

This vehicle was one of the top 5 affordable overlanders. My concern is the amount of space in the back for storage. Do they come in the diseal? Have you done a video on the jeep cherokee or 4runner?

[@KnightDriveTV]

I have a video of an older 4runner on the channel. I have yet to own or do a cherokee. The isuzu certainly has the high roof and cubic capacity to do a lot with but the US didnt get any diesels, to my knowledge. This is a big downer of course. The only major issue with these Troopers is how stubby the front axles are...they flex very little. A solid axle swap would be great, but then the lack of power is the next hurdle. These are great vehicles but the US just didnt get the best version with the Japanese diesels...we got 4 banger junk.

[@H.pylori]

I felt like I was driving in this video. I have a 93 Trooper (one owner) and 4X4 automatic transmission. Love this car. It is still stock. Do you know of any off-road shop in Las Vegas that could make it more road worthy. Most of the shops here deal with Jeeps and 4Runners. Thanks for the video.

[@KnightDriveTV]

I dont know of any shops really, as I have a small network of people who do work for me, as well as the work I do myself. I am always looking for reliable help though. Maybe one day...lol

[@H.pylori]

@@KnightDriveTV Thanks for answering both of my questions. I have been using the "Japanese Car Service."

[@danaracine4451]

How many honda pilots or Toyota 4 bys doing the circuit. Look at u tube videos on troopers they all come from south America south pacific or central Europe. The only 4 wheel thats in the same category are original land rovers. I know because I had one. Lol there not a land rover. But the best bang for your dollar is a trooper

[@jdean1851]

Kool Vid" Good Info!

[@nigelmchugh5541]

You have the manual gearbox, now import a 3.1 turbo diesel engine from the UK or wherever, and it'll be even better.

[@KnightDriveTV]

I'd love to...we'll see...motor is going to be next on the agenda so...gotta figure something out. It needs more torque

[@geoffbell166]

The 3.8V6 buick or holden commodore motor fits straight in as well,lots of low end torque,and supercharged some are as well,...

[@Archemedes95]

@@KnightDriveTV My '98 Trooper has plenty of torque with the 3.5L and 5-speed manual on stock tires. I lug it uphill all the time, even with a pretty good load in the back. I can't do anything crazy on these tires, but it is still a super capable vehicle. Glad you enjoyed!

[@johnchisolm4033]

If it's good enough for Russel Crowe, it's good enough for me.

[@KnightDriveTV]

Haha...all the time this comment...I guess it could be worse

[@996-A_K-82]

nice dog.

[@rodneyranch2420]

was this a DOHC or Single? What year and engine?

[@KnightDriveTV]

I actually resold this truck pretty quickly. The short axles, lack of suspension range and lack of ac equipment made me move on. These are great candidates for a solid axle swap...because I love the vehicle aside from the front suspension/axles. My mind kept thinking...LS swap and solid axle swap would make this great! In the end, I bought a Tahoe to do just that and sold this. I loved the truck but has to move on

[@louwelveranda6926]

Nice content. What model of this trooper?

[@nicka2923]

I miss my ‘94 Isuzu Trooper. Lol

[@leakyvdub]

Just picked up an 02 trooper. 5 speed 3.5 with 116k for 1000 bucks. Body has rust but otherwise it is a tank

[@roberts.wilson1848]

Any update on the output footage for the C5 corvette headlights? You're a few months late since they should have been presented. Kinda shady behavior, don't you think?!

[@KnightDriveTV]

I havent gotten to the finished video yet because I got extremely sick. I was kind of managing through it to get the C4 for development of the next kit but my driver side adjuster was frozen on the C5 for me to finish aiming, but that is now installed. I also had the car apart for fitting/prototyping of the stops. Lots happening. Quite a rough past month for me. I am working on a video of the lights, aiming, added feature I am working on, etc, as well as a private video for the prebuyers only, that wont be shown here.

[@almcdreamy2120]

Toyota and Isuzu car brands are the best followed by other Japanese brands. American, Chinese, Korean and European car brands suck because they only care about money and more profit instead of reliability which is the best a car brand should have and affordable price too.

[@garynew9637]

Shame you didnt get diesels over there.

[@rvilletto123]

Here’s something about Isuzu… you can’t kill them.

[@mullerandre95]

DON'T buy an automatic Isuzu, the 4l30e trans is a crock, weak as and not meant for 4x4. My brother has an Isuzu Bighorn and he is on his 3rd trans in as many years, and this one's on the way out too. You can probably fit a Lexus V8 in there without too much trouble, the manual gearbox and transfer case should be Aisin, which is Toyota, should handle the extra power. I'd definitely keep it, as it's only going to increase in value now.

[@Quanter44]

Is you is or is you ain't...ISUZU

[@cz75tactical9]

Nah. You should sell it to me

[@garycorriera6576]

that's an easy trail

[@KnightDriveTV]

The title doesnt say otherwise...lol. Camera doesnt translate trail angle, steepness, depth or anything, anyway...try it sometime...youll see.