Let's Discuss: Isuzu Trooper's

[Stephen]

As many of you are aware, I have strange affinity for the odd vehicles out there. Right now I'm jonesing for an Isuzu Trooper. Preferably a first generation but I'd be willing to entertain a second generation. What do people know about the aftermarket for them? I know that Calmini (crooks) has stuff, so does Independent4x. Anyone else? Has anyone owned one and have some impressions they would like to share?
What I'm shooting for is something for my wife to drive around, but that could still handle the occasional trail. I know I could get an XJ or Runner, but those are just so mainstream .

 

[Rodeoman]

well let me chime in. as a ZU owner, this is the way I would go about getting one ready for trail.
Look for 93 to 94 Second gen Trooper with 3.2V6, if you luck out you might find one with MUA5 manual tranny (integrated tcase) or majority I have seen were autos (divorced tcase). Low range I believe is 2.28.1 manual and 2.48.1 auto. Troopers came with 4.10 or 4.56 gears I believe. Front suspension is torsion bar style Aarm, in the back you should have coils and four link with trackbar (not 100% on this one)....
As far as the front goes you can flip upper ball joint and crank tbars for like 3" or more (by flipping upper ball joint with spacer you are gaining some of the lost travel)
In the back you can go with longer coils or just go with spacer.
Tire size you can fit 33's on stock Trooper, have a friend he was running 35x12.50x15 with like 3" lift and some fender cutting was required.
You can upgrade stock tcase with 3.07.1 crawler gears (they really are worth the money), move up to beefier tierods and plate stock skidplates with some 1/4" stock and they can really take pounding after that simple mod.
As far as the diffs go, in the front you have Isuzu corporate 10bolt front end, there is ARB, Lockright and Lincoln locker choices for u, comes down to money.
As far as the rearend goes it is a 12bolt and I believe the only choices u have are ARB and Lincoln locker.
So basically with moderate lift, some 33's to 35's (34" swamper ltb's would look great), locked in the front or rear, or both, including transfer case gears you would have a rig that can do 85 to 90 % trails out there, it is reliable, it is body on frame rig and you could do this on a budget, some people managed to lift them for under $100....
When I did the Rodeo, it had front ARB, rear Lockright, and TeraLow gears in tcase, I was running 33's and no body lift. It pretty much went where I wanted it to go and some places it didn't. Wheeling IFS rig is a learning curve. Only reason I went to D44 front end was to gain some needed clearance and articulation in order to get into some tougher stuff.. These days I am considering building buggy for hardcore stuff and keep Rodeo for up to 4+ trails, it does great on those.
Visit these sites:
4x4wire.com (isuzu forums), pirate4x4.com (isuzu forum), and planetisuzoo.com to gain some more information, everything has already been done and there is a lot of info on these vehicles.
Adem

 

[newtoy]

So that one in Provo didn't work out for you huh? I was going to txt you about that.
you should get a rodeo or amigo or are they not differnt enough for you?

 

[Stephen]

well let me chime in. as a ZU owner, this is the way I would go about getting one ready for trail.
Look for 93 to 94 Second gen Trooper with 3.2V6, if you luck out you might find one with MUA5 manual tranny (integrated tcase) or majority I have seen were autos (divorced tcase). Low range I believe is 2.28.1 manual and 2.48.1 auto. Troopers came with 4.10 or 4.56 gears I believe. Front suspension is torsion bar style Aarm, in the back you should have coils and four link with trackbar (not 100% on this one)....
As far as the front goes you can flip upper ball joint and crank tbars for like 3" or more (by flipping upper ball joint with spacer you are gaining some of the lost travel)
In the back you can go with longer coils or just go with spacer.
Tire size you can fit 33's on stock Trooper, have a friend he was running 35x12.50x15 with like 3" lift and some fender cutting was required.
You can upgrade stock tcase with 3.07.1 crawler gears (they really are worth the money), move up to beefier tierods and plate stock skidplates with some 1/4" stock and they can really take pounding after that simple mod.
As far as the diffs go, in the front you have Isuzu corporate 10bolt front end, there is ARB, Lockright and Lincoln locker choices for u, comes down to money.
As far as the rearend goes it is a 12bolt and I believe the only choices u have are ARB and Lincoln locker.
So basically with moderate lift, some 33's to 35's (34" swamper ltb's would look great), locked in the front or rear, or both, including transfer case gears you would have a rig that can do 85 to 90 % trails out there, it is reliable, it is body on frame rig and you could do this on a budget, some people managed to lift them for under $100....
When I did the Rodeo, it had front ARB, rear Lockright, and TeraLow gears in tcase, I was running 33's and no body lift. It pretty much went where I wanted it to go and some places it didn't. Wheeling IFS rig is a learning curve. Only reason I went to D44 front end was to gain some needed clearance and articulation in order to get into some tougher stuff.. These days I am considering building buggy for hardcore stuff and keep Rodeo for up to 4+ trails, it does great on those.
Visit these sites:
4x4wire.com (isuzu forums), pirate4x4.com (isuzu forum), and planetisuzoo.com to gain some more information, everything has already been done and there is a lot of info on these vehicles.
Adem

Why wouldn't you do a first gen?

So that one in Provo didn't work out for you huh? I was going to txt you about that.
you should get a rodeo or amigo or are they not differnt enough for you?

No the one in Provo was a piece. We started it up and it began smoking and making all sorts of weird engine noises. Rodeo's appeal to me as well, but the Trooper is just something I think would be cool.

 

[SAMI]

I agree a trooper would be cool over a rodeo.. both would be different though.. I say go for it!

I have absolutely no tech to advise you, other than make sure it;s got loads of chrome

 

[MRJ]

Come on, go for a VehiCross.

I have always though those were cool. I am so uncool for thinking those are cool.

If I found a clean one I would probably have to buy it.

As for Troopers, I have been out with someone that had a stock 2nd gen one. It did amazing for what we were doing. I was impressed.

 

[Bart]

I'll join you in the "uncool" catagory, I think a Vehicross would be a fun rig.

 

[Stephen]

I agree a trooper would be cool over a rodeo.. both would be different though.. I say go for it!

I have absolutely no tech to advise you, other than make sure it;s got loads of chrome

Yes, because chrome makes things go faster. Just like every square inch of duct tape adds 5hp!

 

[Rodeoman]

Well as far as the older troopers go here is pros and cons, pros are old and cheap, cons are anemic 2.8V6 engine, some folks have converted to 3.4V6 chevy crate engine, fairly a bolt on deal.... Leaf spring suspension and they are top heavy. Newer Trooper has 3.2V6 with about 175HP and 190 ft/lbs of torque, a lot nicer motor for all around use, also that V6 was ahead of its time with distributorless ignition system, all aluminum construction and they can last a while, buddies 96 has 250 000 miles on it and its still going strong. 93 to 94 would net you OBD1 vehicle aka less smog and electrical crap....
As far as the Vehicross goes be prepared to pay top dollar for it, they are rare, another friend owns one, it has same drivetrain as newer Troopers do 3.5V6, 4L30E tranny, full time 4WD... Body parts are expensive to find and it only has 94" wheelbase, Trooper has got it beat on steep climbs and drop offs... Also you can pack a lot more things in Trooper vs Vcross (only 2 seater)....
All in all Isuzus can hold their own, just like any brand, maintain them and they will reward you with reliable service, manual tranny is a tank, auto tranny so so once you start wheeling it hard, definetily plan on getting lower gears for tcase, it helps that auto tranny immensely.
As far as the Rodeo, you get D44 rearend, with 4.10 or 4.30 gears, almost all V6 had limited slip diff (factory code G80 under the hood), 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern, 58" width, front diff is same as troops ( I believe Troopers are little wider and flex a little better in front)......
Love my ZU, got ton of money and time in it, but it was well worth it, when I have it out in Moab, its conversation starter next to your usual Jeep, Toyota crowd.... Right now mine sits on 36x14.50x15 Ground Hawgs which is about limit for tcase output and body clearance I have....
Have fun bying and building and check out our local site www.zutah.com
Adem

 

[sixb]

In 93 I bought a new Trooper with a 5spd manual, we drove it untill 04, put 118k trouble free miles on it, brakes once, 3 batteries, one battery was stolen, 1 clutch, 3 sets of tires, the last set was brand new when I sold it to a buddy who is still driving it. The best car I have ever owned to date. All city driving at a constant 17 mpg. I could'nt tell you about off-raoding or hwy driving but I do miss that suv:-\

 

[Brian P]

I had an '89 Trooper II for almost 3 years, I loved it, Over the years I did all sorts of things, Body lift, Tightened up the torsion bars with Toyota shackles on the rear, I was able to fit 33" tires, Mine was the 4 cyl with an auto, I heard rumor that the 6 cyl wasnt much better...
Good times!

 

[Rot Box]

I don't think that the first gen Turbo Diesel Troopers have been mentioned, but I pass one on my way to work once in awhile that is just awesome speaking of rare, my friends mom has the rare 2nd gen 2 door Trooper--not too many of those running around

I love the rare oddity rigs myself and a TD Trooper would be towards the top of my list if I had the money

 

[jdub]

I had two first gen's loved them both. Prefer the Jeep parts price tag though. I did have some issues with mine being top heavy/tipsy. I put 31's in without any issue at all! It actually wheeled as good as a ifs could be expected to.Great ride around town. X2 on the 4-popper, and manual tranny. The 6 cylinder was a let down and had more service issues. Stock alloys on Rodeo and some early 90's troopers are the most attractive OEM wheels ever! My friend has a 2nd gen manual that can do impressive stuff.

By the way My dad used to be a Isuzu dealer for years and they had some videos out to prove the off-road-ability, Quite impressive.

Rodeo's do 32's with no suspension changes.

 

[Milner]

I had an '89 Trooper II for almost 3 years, I loved it, Over the years I did all sorts of things, Body lift, Tightened up the torsion bars with Toyota shackles on the rear, I was able to fit 33" tires, Mine was the 4 cyl with an auto, I heard rumor that the 6 cyl wasnt much better...
Good times!

Come on!! Tell the story! It's funny....now:-\
Damn Ramsey winches

 

[Stephen]

...a TD Trooper would be towards the top of my list if I had the money

I think that would be the ideal one. But super hard to find! This is something that probably wouldn't happen until the summer, so I have time to hunt around a bit for one of these.

 

[BlackDog]

my only bit#$ with he first gen 4 cyl auto I had was 11-14 mpg. Other people I talked to did the same... was disappointing.

Tranny quit shifting "automaticly" so you to had to manu-slap it, went from 2nd to Reverse at 50... that was all she wrote.

 

[newtoy]

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?sid=&nid=443&tab=list/view&ad=587245

I know you want a new toy

 

[Stephen]

Yeah, I saw that. Don't want to do tranny work right out of the gate if I can avoid it. And, as I said earlier, I would rather bide my time and try to find a first gen TD.