MotorWeek | Retro Review: '88 Isuzu Trooper II

Still handsome

[@monchitoscalecrawling5035]

My dad had a 1998 5 speed manual. Thanks dad for all the mountain bike races you took me. Miss you

[@geoffnelson64]

My dad is an avid cyclists. All we did growing up. About every weekend it was either a mtn bike race or a road race somewhere.. cheers to good dad's!!!!!

[@geoffnelson64]

Great community of people. Bet your dad was awesome.

[@israelballew4155]

This is such a great truck. Bought one for 300$ with 256,000 miles. It was driven to California and back without a single issue. Was amazing off road as well.

[@ponysoldier6770]

From where?

[@luisangelramirez7883]

300? Really that's a very good price

[@gertraba4484]

@@ponysoldier6770 yeah bought a lo. Mile 87 trooper 2 forb69.95 from joe. Isuzu.......yeah

[@ponysoldier6770]

@@gertraba4484 sounds good, but I was asking from what state to California.

[@n3iliusism478]

My parents bought a Trooper in '91. My dad kept it in pristine condition. We had it for 17 years with over 950k on the odometer. That truck was very well made vehicle and was beast off-road, but served perfectly as family car. Having owned several Isuzus myself, ('01 Rodeo 4x4, '88 I-Mark) I stand by Isuzu as one of the best SUV manufacturers of that era.

[@fouadmaher6789]

9ine nice

[@Cino777]

Now was it the same like the Rodeo in 2001? In terms of reliability issues.

[@tomorrowcomestoday1621]

@@therielab9564 what happened to your trooper? I had one in high school. I was 17 when it was stolen

[@j.c.sutherland290]

My first car was an '86 Trooper II. That car was as gutless as the day is long. Top speed was about 70MPH. I remember losing to a UPS truck in a drag race and I don't think the UPS driver knew we were having one. That said, I LOVED that car. A perfect car for a teenager. Safe, slow, utilitarian and could run over things. It also had an old rugged/outdoorsy feel so you weren't embarrassed to take it on a date. Great car.

[@technologyproductions-ye3px]

J.C. Sutherland wow a thought the late 90s-early-2000s international harvester was slow

[@AndrewCamarata]

Loved my trooper. Very tough off-road.

[@gertraba4484]

Trust me

[@fernandorocha901]

​@@gertraba4484very beautiful this Isuzu Trooper 88

[@edgrigsby8610]

My sister and her husband bought an 84. It was one of the first in west michigan. Everytime she stopped somewhere, she was always asked, by numbers of people, " what is it?". ESPECIALLY when they pulled someone out a ditch or snowbank in the winter. Ahhh.. the good ol' days.

[@aWhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

Nice to see these videos. Motorweek to this day is still the best most intellectual of all the auto tv shows. I hav been watching since i was a kid.

[@nicholasbottini8731]

I currently own an 89 and I rebuilt the 2.6 4ZE1 and 5 speed trans. I did some things to squeeze a little more power out of it but it is what it is. In this video they referred to the previous 2.3 as being 96hp but that was only true with the Isuzu pickup trucks. I had an 86 before. The Trooper 2.3s were 110ps or 108 hp and I know here in CA they had carbs with metering rods controlled by a module. This truck has loads of character and I'll never get rid of mine.

[@mikethemike6406]

Same here. I love my 89!

[@tomorrowcomestoday1621]

@@mikethemike6406 I have a 89 as well. The gs model. I have no idea what engine it has because I just got it back this afternoon after being stolen for 13 years. It is a 2 doors 4 wheel drive and manual. Do you have any idea what sort of engine oil viscosity it takes and how much🔧?

[@mikethemike6406]

@@tomorrowcomestoday1621 Wow, 13 years??? I would love to hear that story! It should be the 2.6liter 4ZE1 engine. I use 5-40 Delo or Rotella because it has good additives in it. 4.5 liters, I believe. Same goes in the Transmission and transfer case. But I use synchromesh in the tranni.

[@Ghandisgarage]

i learned to drive in one of these with the 5 speed. I loved it and I want another.

[@waynemangan9925]

Me too! 89 Trooper 2 manual. Dad had the oil changed and gifted it to me for my first car 1997. 4 days later it blew up cuz they didnt replace the engine oil. Got sold to a mechanic.

[@zmoorer]

So did I! My dad had an '86 model with 5 speed and 4 doors. I learned to drive on it and only complaint was that it was sooooo slow.

[@theadventurerofrandomjunk]

I also learned how to drive in one. A 1988 with the auto. And I just bought a 1993 with a five speed.

[@Ghandisgarage]

@@theadventurerofrandomjunk i now also have a 93 5 speed.

[@hammerki1]

These old Troopers were near bulletproof.

[@RoadCone411]

Except they rotted out pretty quickly.

[@mikeroth1044]

I still have my 91 trooper 259,ooo ish never seen snow and salt, just put a lot of new stuff to it, magnaflow exhaust, new brakelines rotors pads water pump and timing, new wrangler 16 in tires I love this thing it's especially functional when out four wheeling

[@chrismemphis8062]

Loved my 87 trooper, red, 2 door 5 speed with 4cyl and air. I had Michelins on it and a killer Orion sound system and an Audiovox car phone.

[@picotincriollo2368]

One of the most underrated bulletproof desings ever!! Learned to drive in one of these

[@fernandorocha8459]

Very nice and solid Isuzu Trooper

[@johneli495]

I saw a Trooper like this the other day. They still look great

[@trekinseattle]

These were amazing, the 88-91 in particular were very nice. I owned a 91 LS 5 speed. It was very roomy, with it's straight upright body sides. Lots of shoulder room. Very good suspension, comfortable seats. First gear was low, and made great use of the 2.6L fuel injected 4. It was exceptionally nice to drive in town, one of the best I've driven, wonderful for that run to the home and garden center. A truly wonderful well rounded 4x4. It did have draw backs, loaded with a couple people and gear the freeway and mountain passes were leisurely. This is where an American motors magnificently executed Jeep 4.0 L6 would come in handy. The largest flaw was the weak automatic transmission, they commonly failed by 150,000 miles which was unexpected by owners and unfortunate for wallets as they were quite expensive to repair. Many fine condition troopers went to scrap because of it. Though if you choose the manual, typical major repairs didn't come until just after 200,000 miles in the form of a much less costly Head Gasket change. My 91 Head Gasket failed at 220,000. The original clutch failed shortly after, breaks, radiator etc and sadly it was just plain worn out by 280,000. A few 4x4 trips to the mountains ended in a blown coolant hose and she was cooked.. I would buy a brand new one again.

[@qwertyuiop3455]

Our family bought one new in '88 with the 5-speed. Was good on backroads and family trips. The stereo sounded good and the new car smell hung around for years.

[@scootfreeordie]

My mother had two troopers. Different years. Both manual transmission and 4 cyl. I liked how the rear windows rolled down all the way. No safety window interference to hinder one from mooning someone or yelling. Because these are so slim you can park them in tight spots in the city, big rear door entry if you really have to park it tight. The rear small door near the plate holder always rusts out though. Good on gas but pig slow. A/c was never it's strong suit. After 189k on the clock the head gasket blew. Either Head or block warped. Junked it after that. These are hard to find anymore, they all rust away. It would make a cool resto-rod I think.

[@letsgonow5641]

+scootfreeordie Ive always for reason cant explain like the way this car looked. It would be awesome to see one restored w a fresh paint job. Its been a while since i spotted one. Do i do remember the rusting you speak of.

[@michaelartwich2684]

I own a 1988 Trooper II, two door with 61,111 original miles on it. Thanks to my last DWI it'll still have 61,111 miles on it in 2018 when I get my license back. I paid $3995.00 for it five years ago w/11,800 mi. on her and bought 5 mint condition Isuzu factory aluminum wheels and mounted Cooper 31X10.50s on it. Vehicle had been garage kept and never driven in winter.

[@jeffuclyptis771]

Welcome back to driving how is the thing holdin up

[@E_tiBEAMERBOY]

LOL RIGHT^^

[@ponysoldier6770]

Hey proud boy hows the trooper?

[@Mark-eu4ds]

I love these trucks! I remember driving one (1991) with the GM 2.8 V6. I thought it had plenty of power. Smooth. Loved the interior. Very well made! Aisin automatic transmission. Those are very good. These are almost extinct now. The newest ones in this body style are now 30 years old! That dash is really cool!

[@glanzera]

We had an '88 Trooper when I was a kid, I remember thinking it was so modern and fancy. Good memories driving on the beach in North Carolina. Of course the transmission went out shortly after that but it was still a great truck haha.

[@LoveMyZJ]

My parents had a '94 Trooper LS that was purchased new. It had a few issues but also lived a very tough New England life. I also learned how to drive with it. By the time it was traded in back in '03 for a new Dakota quad cab, it had 178k, consumed a quart of oil every week, had scratches everywhere and was dire need of an interior detailing. But it was an awesome rig; you don't see these much around here anymore.

[@droidrazor873]

I had a 88 blue and silver with a 2.6 and a 5speed loved the interior it was so comfy in the 2 hour trips home from college on the weekends. He isn't lying though I one time has mine doing 90 only after turning the air pump into a blower for the engine. I do miss that thing sometimes

[@tomorrowcomestoday1621]

What happened to your trooper? Did you sold it or

[@phildoethedildoe]

I recently picked up a 1990 Isuzu Trooper with the 2.8L GM v6 4x4-5speed manual and even with it having 177,590 miles she starts, shifts, stops great and no idiot lights on the dash!! no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, no burning oil and no fuel leaks!!! this thing is like a decent sized monster and would trash 90% of new SUV vehicles off road. Keep in mind this is the third Isuzu we have adopted in our family collection. We have a 1989 Isuzu Pickup, 4x4-5speed, and a 1991 Isuzu Amigo 4x4 5 speed and i can't give enough credit to Isuzu for building such tough no frills no thrills Utility vehicles.

[@mega-hb4re]

These things were amazing and very under rated.

[@carysledge435]

First "Brand New" vehicle I purchased ( same color scheme ). Put 214000 miles on it, and spent lots of Off Road time with it.

[@tomorrowcomestoday1621]

Do you still have the trooper? What did you did to that gorgeous machine?

[@Flyinghotpocket]

man i remember some of these had the a/c addition. most of them had problems. but there was a few gems that had the a/c addition and worked like a dream.

[@waynemangan9925]

My Dad bought an 89 4dr manual new in bergundy. These things sure had the greenhouse of a 4dr Model T sedan and felt like they could blow over in a Nebraskan wind storm, but they were a great roomy capable family car. like most cars of the era they'd rust pretty quickly in the rust belt. Still were a solid vehicle though

[@TimJoseph08031990]

I remember one of my classmates' mom had this Trooper with the automatic transmission when I was in 3rd and 4th Grade from 1998-2000. Also I remember what the first generation Nissan Maxima looked like as a kid in the 90s, but now I forgot.

[@ElianeSantos-qh7rv]

Isuzu trooper is great! I love that car!

[@johngaudet6316]

It was my first new vehicle, a 97 four door 4 cylinder 5 speed. I loved it. I used to take it across Merrimeeting Lake and Winnipesaukee in the winter at 45 mph jumping the snow drifts. I literally beat the shit out of that Trooper 2. It never broke down. I didn't like the auto locking hubs. I even drove the thing to Florida from NH.

[@FantomLightning]

God I miss Isuzu...

[@animatedfox]

I had a 1988 Isuzu Trooper II and I loved it

[@ACEcolorado1]

A history teacher of mine years ago in grade school had a early 80s Trooper with a bit of rust but still started up everyday after school

[@TheChessboss]

It's instant start benefit is what I like the most about this car!

[@wosamosman9814]

My father had a manual 87 model back in the mid 90s . I still remember the parking brake lever thingy 🤣🤣🤣

[@petercreedon1246]

My grandma had this vehicle until the day she passed in 2007. It was the perfect island or Cape Cod car.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

This is what I miss about the 4wd SUVs of the 70s and 80s, they were true 4wds, most had manual locking front wheel hubs as opposed to the automatic locking hubs that were also available. I also like the option of either gasoline or turbo diesel engine. While its ride was less than comfortable, that's the price you pay for off-road capability.

[@wildbill23c]

Simple people today are too damn lazy...and overall are terrible drivers compared to years ago when they actually had to pay attention. shift gears and no power steering. Back when vehicles were built to work and to last.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I know. I owned an SUV once. I had a 1992 Toyota 4Runner. I liked everything about it except that it wasn't available with a diesel engine. Its fuel economy sucked.

[@briankelly9347]

@@wildbill23c power steering has been a thing since the 1950s dumbass

[@craigkanish6127]

Maaaan! I had the ‘88 in this same color with the plastic rocker panel covers…I wish I had that thing back.. sold it in 2002 in California. 1999, my brother, a friend and I drove that thing straight for 3 days from NY to AZ.. only stopping to gas up and grab food. Beat the hell out of it in off road AZ and UT. Blew the clutch MC out in the mountains of UT, swapped it out in the parking lot of a napa in the middle of nowhere and back on the road.. the girls I sold it to said they were gonna do Baja with it…. Sigh…. Wish I was driving that thing down Baja right now…..

[@AWDfreak]

My woodshop/design engineering teacher in middle school had one of these in great condition. Not a single visible scratch on it, but I have a feeling he took it off-roading.

[@mwilliamshs]

You studied design engineering in middle school?!

[@AWDfreak]

@@mwilliamshs Well, that's what the class was called, but it was really an introduction to engineering small things like CO2-propelled dragsters, air-powered bottle rockets, and even an introduction to how internal combustions work with both 2-stroke and 4-stroke explanations.

[@benblonder2157]

I have a 1991 Isuzu trooper w/ a 5 speed manual and it’s a great, fun, reliable car

[@Clearanceman2]

My uncle still has an 86 diesel. Over 400,000 miles, LOL

[@RobertoLicardie]

JESUS CHRIST!

[@adanklobster6525]

Clearanceman2 HOLY SHIET MATE.

[@1975ukandbored]

He's lucky it hasn't rusted away

[@civlyzed]

Wow!

[@henryhill3778]

@@RobertoLicardie He's STILL Waiting for it to hit 60 mph...

[@albertperson4013]

I've finally gotten around to fixing my 1990 Trooper II 4wd with Manual transmission. 176k miles on it. Antique Silver. Original owner. Ashamed I haven't kept it in better condition, but the paint has stayed as shiny as day one.

[@Maskonocok]

I had a 87 Isuzu trooper but in 2005 my dad swap the engine with toyota 14B turbo diesel

[@svenlabots1869]

John Davis is definately the Tim Dagget of the automotive sector with his dry but on the spot poetry. "What will happen when we let this Trooper sail on its own? Well, in a nutshell: better...."😉

[@ltyr-mr2if]

I miss our Trooper! :( But the Chevy S10 engine and drive train wasn't strong enough to sustain the heavy vehicle. We burned through three clutches. Still, we had great times in that boxy fun, first family vehicle!

[@mikethemike6406]

I love my 86 and 89 Troopers. Reliable and tough as nails. And of course a manual 5 speed gear box. Autos are silly. My only complaint is the ashtray is too small and when I shift into 3rd of 5th, it hits my beer.

[@richardwarren7492]

Of all the vehicles I've owned -- this is the one I'd love to see redone, just as it was with perhaps 25 to 50 more HP. I sorely miss my 88 Trooper II Silver/Grey over White, Automatic. Tough, went any where, (once factory tires changed out) sold with over 100,000 miles and no issues ever. California vehicle, no rust. Damn, I miss that vehicle. It could have used another 25 to 50 HP, but was really never an issue. As a Ps. If you locked the hubs up prior to the bad weather or off road you could go into 4 wheel at anytime or speed.

[@steveespinola7652]

This was a great SUV and it still is.👍😀

[@Y10Q]

Later units were assembled in that Subaru plant in Indiana, and now they make Camrys there.

[@COYGunners]

I’d love to find one in mint condition. Amazing real trucks

[@ZepG]

I wonder what ever happened to 'Joe' Isuzu, he was always on tv when I was younger?

[@benraymond4435]

his name is David Leisure and hes still alive and kicken.

[@redneon06]

I had an 82 I Mark diesel manual as my very first car. It was a cool old car.

[@BotanaManTVOfficial]

I’ve got a 5 speed - love it - having the choke replaced now to a manual one bc it does not want to open while running

[@BotanaManTVOfficial]

Wow, 2 years later, still loving it.

[@thomashouse6090]

This was an awesome vehicle in its day.

[@mikeroth1044]

Still is

[@tomorrowcomestoday1621]

And Today

[@aFloodedToilet]

one of the cutest SUVs there are

[@ahsanitaqwim1992]

In Indonesia, Trooper is sold with Chevrolet brand. And only available with manual transmission.

[@fathermetalASMR]

4:37 Honestly had the test driver not been moving at a snail's pace the truck would have made the hill just fine. 🐌🤦

[@16mmDJ]

handsome truck

[@deejayimm]

The only off-roaders I know that prefer automatics are either rock crawlers or lazy. If your transfer case has low enough gearing in it, you don't need a torque converter. Not to mention automatic generally are not as reliable as manuals, although with the push for every vehicle being as light as possible nowadays that doesn't ring quite as true as it used to. Automatics kill all the fun.

[@deejayimm]

See here's the difference between honest journalism and paid off journalism. Consumer Reports would have taken some money from Jeep to say how easy this thing rolled over.

[@shemmac4700]

Actually I wish they made decent 4wd's this size still

[@anajay78]

How about the Xterra?

[@72Disco1998]

Shem Mac I had an 86 Trooper was bulletproof. Very functional and easy to work on.

[@dmcnamara9859]

+anajay78 Nissan reliability/durability is a hit and miss...........Xterra s have never been affordable as was promoted/promised by Nissan prior to Introduction. Most dealers (with mark-up) charge as much as Pathfinder. $40,000+ for mid-level Xterra......better buy is a discounted overstock New 4Runner.....or a unibody Honda Pilot.

[@R777-RLM]

+D McNamara The Pilot is a great vehicle, but has MacPherson Strut front suspension, unlike the others stronger upper/lower control arms.

[@dmcnamara9859]

+ron mortensen The lower control arms (adjustable by tie rod method) on the Accord based Pilot/Minivan....provide a great compromise of reasonable fixed caster/camber through much of the struts travel..yet maintaining the advantage of a strut....... longer travel...which equates to a better ride. A properly engineered McPherson Strut is just as tough as stamped steel/cast-modular Iron-aluminum/Forged Steel-Aluminum...upper and lower control-arm set-up.

[@davidvalenzuela4529]

Here's A MotorWeek Retro Review of the Isuzu Trooper II from 1988.

[@sekopiski]

Do you have a review of the first generation Mitsubishi Montero?

[@asajayunknown6290]

I have three daily driver Isuzus. All three are manual 4x4s. Rodeo has 370k. Amigo is 205k. Pickup is 190k.

[@jackdough8164]

I remember one of my Friends had one when I was younger. It was great but always felt like it was ready to tip over lol

[@fireballfireball1067]

I love my Holden Jackaroo 1990, and yes its a Trooper

[@clauskrebber7353]

Unrealistic my trooper cant hit 60 in 15 minutes with a torrential backwind.

[@wildbill23c]

While driving downhill LOL. A friend of mine had a Trooper with the diesel engine, that thing I swear wouldn't get out of its own way. Underpowered, but it wouldn't tear itself apart with too much power either LOL.

[@daverunner3397]

loved my trooper 2 standard....

[@gabrielmillien7439]

Cool Isuzu.

[@kevinwoodard6571]

From what I've read online, ALL Troopers were assembled in Asia, most of them came from Japan. In 1993, however, most Rodeo SUVs were assembled in the USA, including the one we had for 8.5 years.

[@diegofervalmon]

well, not all in Asia, in Ecuador is a GM assembly and the troopers where assembled there since 1980 to 2002. I have a trooper from 1993 and it has 90% Japanese parts 60% of them are original. the original Japanese troopers came in parts but here the Isuzu logo was changed by chevrolet logo.

[@daverunner3397]

Rebuilt the engine in my back yard, then drove it from alabama to pa....

[@blackhatch46]

You dont need power to off road. This is proven by this vehicle which was the first one i off roaded in.

[@tymac3306]

Interior design is very good,....nice

[@marshmower]

I like industrial flavor. If I want style, I wear a hat.

[@abelucious]

Good show, I wish these guys were a bit more critical of the massive shortcomings of these vehicles back then, to say the Isuzu was safe in the slalom when they were known to tip over is none sense.

[@jimcarlson6157]

that was false reporting by that automotive oracle Consumer Reports. I drove one for 300 k no problem at all

[@adanklobster6525]

I have a first gen with 560k miles. recently I bought a 92 3.5 just in case yee old first gen blows up.

[@gxdjoeybaby07]

I really like that blue sweater. Just sayin'

[@firebird890]

My personal favorite Isuzu was the Axiom

[@azthundercloud]

Had a 89. Everything was ok except that 2.8 POS engine. Couldn't get out of it's way. Had so many issues that the dealer bought it back.

[@R777-RLM]

+azthundercloud That was a GM engine, one of the worst ones they ever made.

[@dmcnamara9859]

+azthundercloud 3.1 version was much better,as long as it is/was never run low/out of oil......same issue as the 2.8.............kiss the rod/main bearings away.

[@Drewbygus]

OMG, this thing makes my parents old Dodge Aries K seem fast!

[@anonymoususer6683]

I miss Isuzu Joe!

[@jdonns2221]

Slick leather jacket

[@1vw4me]

G-2 Pilot.

[@superoblivionbread]

My 96 Trooper is the sex, which makes sense seeing that its daddy, the Trooper II, is a pretty sweet truck, too. If Isuzu ever comes back to North America, I'll be ALL OVER that. They won't, but if they did...

[@technologyproductions-ye3px]

this car is awesome

[@kaptainkoolz6359]

Everything you need, nothing you dont. I miss the simplicity

[@TEDdotcom]

Upload the 80's Mitsubishi Montero review please.

[@yungprototype]

Who knew that design would stand the test of time ? Reference Mercedes G wagon😂

[@chrissnodgrass2705]

When I was a kid my mom and dad had had one like it it was 89 it was dark blue

[@victorinotrias1852]

Where can i find the location of chassis no. of Izuzu trooper model 1983?

[@pratyushbiswas7582]

But in other countries manuals are preferred over automatics for off road

[@techmaven5900]

I had the exact truck! Served us well until the head gasket blew at 180k.

[@smayer2683]

I wish these guys still made SUV's for the Canadian market...

[@johntheball]

First time i ever heard anyone touting the superiority of automatic for off road...i always thought clutch was better.

[@Saintbow]

Funny enough, my automatic Trooper II, came/has (Yes, I still have the old girl) with auto locking hubs.

[@tomorrowcomestoday1621]

What's the function of automation for locking wheels?

[@Saintbow]

@@tomorrowcomestoday1621 Let's say you wanted to drive through snow, mud, a river, and you wanted to go from 2WD to 4WD, the hubs would need to be locked for that power to reach the wheels. My brother had an older 88 Ranger and you would need to jump out of the truck and manually lock the hubs yourself, before clicking it into 4WD. The trooper, for it's time, had auto locking hubs, so you didn't have to jump out and lock them yourself. This made life a lot better. It was odd though, seeing something from that generation, come with features you saw in the mid 90's vehicles. It has features on it, that you just didn't see. Mine came with all of the steel armor plates for the under carriage. Stuff like that, you have to buy separate for modern Jeeps. It's gauges would let you know what was going on with the truck, right down to information lights to let you know if 4WD was still engaged. The older trucks required you to dis-engage the system, then drive backwards a few feet to fully dis-engage. Owning one is a awesome experience. It was like the poor mans version of a Land Rover back then.

[@dougsmith7908]

Had an 86 they were pretty good suvs. The 4 runner and Cherokee were much better in hindsight

[@mikedarrow3809]

Pretty cool!

[@jerryw6699]

Hit a deer with our 87 last night, just smashed the grill, didn't get the rad or the hood.

[@breckstreasures7128]

I want one of these old Trooper II's

[@leagueofshadows5133]

My father had the exact same one!

[@donpollard4994]

Couldn't tell you how it is like to have a auto Tran. had 4 troopers and I feel its a waste.