Stephen Nielson, Salt Lake City, Utah
1994 Isuzu Trooper
You can read about my rebuild here: Project: Stratotrooper
Engine: Isuzu 6V1D-W Advanced
3.2L DOHC V6 w/SOHC Plenum and Multec-2 Injectors
Transmission: Stock AISIN 5-Speed Manual
Transfer Case: Revolution 3.1:1 Low Range Gears
Front Axle: Stock, AISIN manual hubs
Rear Axle: Stock LSD
Suspension: Old Man Emu Dakar 2" lift coils in rear, front torsion bars cranked to match lift and upper ball joints flipped, OME Nitro Charger Sport shocks at all four corners
Steering: Stock
Wheels and Tires: 255/75 BF Goodrich MT KO2's on 17" Isuzu Axiom alloy wheels
Navigation: iPad Mini w/MotionX-GPS
Communication: Cobra 75 WX ST CB / BTECH MINI UV-25X4 HAM
Favorite Trails: The open road
As I have gotten more and more involved in backcountry adventure style 4-wheeling I wanted to find a larger, comfortable, well equipt vehicle to suit my needs. My Samurai, while great for shorter trips, is just too small and slow for long haul trips hundreds of miles away. And while my old Pathfinder was great, it still felt a little small and poorly laid out to carry the gear I like to haul. So when the Pathfinder found an unceremonious end to its off-roading life, I began looking into other vehicles.
For years Troopers have been on the edge of my radar, but often discounted as a soccer mom vehicle. Occasionally I saw them off-road, but never really paid them much mind. About a year and a half ago my Dad snagged one and we've picked over it and been impressed with its build quality and capabilities as a mild off-roader. The other nice thing about Troopers is that they are cheap. You can find Troopers in good condition all day long for under $2,000. So when one popped up with a blown timing belt I jumped on it and picked it up for $700. $250 in parts and a few evening of work I had a solid running vehicle. Not bad.
With their ample interior space (Nearly 7' from the back of the front seats to the rear doors), solid AISIN and Isuzu parts, I think that I've picked up a great camping vehicle for cheap. Throwing on OME springs for clearance and some better tires, and I think I'm set. There are no further modifications that I plan to do to the vehicle (maybe sliders). So now its time to just get it out on the trail!
1994 Isuzu Trooper
You can read about my rebuild here: Project: Stratotrooper
Engine: Isuzu 6V1D-W Advanced
3.2L DOHC V6 w/SOHC Plenum and Multec-2 Injectors
Transmission: Stock AISIN 5-Speed Manual
Transfer Case: Revolution 3.1:1 Low Range Gears
Front Axle: Stock, AISIN manual hubs
Rear Axle: Stock LSD
Suspension: Old Man Emu Dakar 2" lift coils in rear, front torsion bars cranked to match lift and upper ball joints flipped, OME Nitro Charger Sport shocks at all four corners
Steering: Stock
Wheels and Tires: 255/75 BF Goodrich MT KO2's on 17" Isuzu Axiom alloy wheels
Navigation: iPad Mini w/MotionX-GPS
Communication: Cobra 75 WX ST CB / BTECH MINI UV-25X4 HAM
Favorite Trails: The open road
As I have gotten more and more involved in backcountry adventure style 4-wheeling I wanted to find a larger, comfortable, well equipt vehicle to suit my needs. My Samurai, while great for shorter trips, is just too small and slow for long haul trips hundreds of miles away. And while my old Pathfinder was great, it still felt a little small and poorly laid out to carry the gear I like to haul. So when the Pathfinder found an unceremonious end to its off-roading life, I began looking into other vehicles.
For years Troopers have been on the edge of my radar, but often discounted as a soccer mom vehicle. Occasionally I saw them off-road, but never really paid them much mind. About a year and a half ago my Dad snagged one and we've picked over it and been impressed with its build quality and capabilities as a mild off-roader. The other nice thing about Troopers is that they are cheap. You can find Troopers in good condition all day long for under $2,000. So when one popped up with a blown timing belt I jumped on it and picked it up for $700. $250 in parts and a few evening of work I had a solid running vehicle. Not bad.
With their ample interior space (Nearly 7' from the back of the front seats to the rear doors), solid AISIN and Isuzu parts, I think that I've picked up a great camping vehicle for cheap. Throwing on OME springs for clearance and some better tires, and I think I'm set. There are no further modifications that I plan to do to the vehicle (maybe sliders). So now its time to just get it out on the trail!
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