How are troopers?

[Hatfield]

Also, the later model troopers burn up engines really bad.

3.5s might be more prone to burn oil, wouldn't say they burn up often though. If a 3.5 has been well maintained, it might not even burn much oil. I know mine does not burn much at all, about 1qt-3000mi. There are many in Oz that have tons of miles on them, all depends on maintenance.

 

[chasespeed]

Its that whole era of the newer DOHC engines... well, I know there was a redesign of the oil rings....

I had an engine replaced in my 2000 Rodeo that went from burning a little... to a lot... adn eventually... they replaced it under warranty.

My 99 Did burn a little... but, not much.... just got into the habit of checking the oil at every fill up, and each weekend(if my wife was driving it, she checked, but, not all the time)....that way, I would keep good track of what was going on....

All in all, they are good trucks...

If I could just find one with a 5spd, I would be all set...

Chase

 

[Regcabguy]

We owned a 2000 Trooper until it was rear ended@ 45mph by a Scirroco. The vehicle had 6,000 miles on it. Damage to the Trooper amounted to $13,000. Massive frame damage,drivetrain,sheetmetal,the works. My seat rail was partially lifted up from the floor.

I suffered a major whiplash injury which took a year to resolve. Zero crumple zones.

Next came the real fun part. Even back in 2000,Isuzu's parts network was so poor,it took the AAA authorized body shop four months to complete the job.

I sold the Trooper and replaced it with a Honda AWD Pilot. Very inferior to the Trooper offroad but infinitely safer on the highway.

 

[Dogteam]

I had a 1993, just sold it for the price of the tires last month. From day one, it was a money pit. Timing chain problems, electronic problems, automatic tranny problems, locking hub problems....I for one have no desire to ever be on a first name basis with my mechanic again, I'm sure that his retirement will be significantly more comfortable due in part to that beast.
That being said, I acknowledge that I must have gotten a lemon. I loved that truck, it's a great design and I wish there was something else out there like it.
Easily the best looking SUV I've ever owned.:26_7_2:

 

[Wareagle]

3.5s might be more prone to burn oil, wouldn't say they burn up often though. If a 3.5 has been well maintained, it might not even burn much oil. I know mine does not burn much at all, about 1qt-3000mi. There are many in Oz that have tons of miles on them, all depends on maintenance.

The 3.5L used in troopers had a serious design flaw. There was a high failure rate. I am told that 2002 models were corrected. Also, all of DI engines were OK. If you doubt my words, do a internet search on trooper engine failure or search your local bone yards. You'll find way too many late models in your search results. Also, the OZ models are more likely to run the diesel engine.

 

[Juntura]

You will be impressed

I drove a 2002 Trooper for nearly 8 years and well over 100,000 miles. I didn't really want it when I bought it and dreamed of owning a Tacoma the whole time I owned it, but now that I have sold it I am kicking myself.

I bought my Trooper because it was the cheapest newer 4 door SUV I could find with real offroad parts- 2 speed case, decent ground clearance, etc. I bought mine when it was 6 months old with 15k on the clock for 50% of the sticker price.

I couldn't stand the ride so based on some internet chatter I purchased a basic OME suspension (medium load)- just coils and shocks. I flipped the ball joints, cranked the torsion bars and had it aligned. Night and day difference! Stock the ride was wallowy and unresponsive. With the OME it was tight and not jarring- the only way to go and it didn't cost too much more than just new shocks.

I put 10 ply Yoko AT's (285/75/16) on it and drove the wheels off it. With just those basic mods I was able to wheel all over the place- to the point that I sold my ATV. I built a very basic cargo deck for the rear and with the rear seats folded down I could sleep comfortably (I am 6'1"+).

Maintenance wise I always checked the oil every 1,000 miles. While the 2002 may have been better on oil I still had to add a quart every 1,500 or so miles. I did all of the recommended maintenance and never had any real issues. The transmissions have some quirks, but I found a local guy who knew them really well and just had the fluid changed annually. In the last year I racked up quite a few bills fixing small stuff O2 sensors, fuel pump, etc, but most of that was due to me crossing a pretty deep river. Note- they will ford 36" rivers just fine, but suck water @ 40".

After talking bad about mine for 8 years I am looking to buy another after having sold it two months ago. The car was awesome and never let me down. BTW I sold mine with lots of new maintenance parts for $4,200 and just saw a really clean 2002 w/86k on CL for $5,500.

For parts you need to talk to Jerry Lemond on Planet Isuzu- he is awesome!

 

[Hatfield]

The 3.5L used in troopers had a serious design flaw. There was a high failure rate. I am told that 2002 models were corrected. Also, all of DI engines were OK. If you doubt my words, do a internet search on trooper engine failure or search your local bone yards. You'll find way too many late models in your search results. Also, the OZ models are more likely to run the diesel engine.

I know all about the lack of enough piston oil drain back holes. That is the only design flaw that I am aware of, and is the only one anyone talks about. I blame the "high failure rate" on many people neglecting to change oil regularly and monitor its usage, letting these holes gum up leading to worse and worse oil consumption. There are <02 3.5s without this issue, it is just hit or miss. I know that most aussie Jacks are TDI, but they do have a good number of gassers, many of which have 400k km on them because they have been taken good care of.

People have good results with running thicker Rotella oil to help clean the engine and slow oil consumption, as well as Seafoam to loosen up the debris clogging the drain back holes. Or you can just pull the pistons and drill more holes, problem solved. Changing the PCV valve regularly is supposed to help too. 2nd gen Troopers came with timing belts, not chains. I would highly recommend a 5spd gearbox, much better than the autos.

I agree Juntura, OME suspension is one of the best mods you can do to these trucks. It improves the ride 10x. Not many other SUVs come with a 3link'd rear that can flex quite as well as the Trooper.

 

[jeffryscott]

I have just made the same switch, purchasing a 2002 Trooper with 103k on it and am selling my 1991 FJ80. I absolutely love the 80, but need something more "practical" as a daily driver and the Trooper (I previously owned a 99) was my first choice.

I toyed with other options, but kept coming back to the overall utility the Trooper provides: off road capability, interior space, road manners and half the price of a similar vintage 4Runner.

While options for mods are relatively limited, the basics are there: bumpers, rock sliders and suspension.

Let us know what you decide.

 

[jfj]

Got a 92 Trooper powered by a 4GJ2 diesel with a 5 speed manual transmission. Considering its age, I had the engine overhauled, changed the timing belt, clutch disc, clutch cover and all the wheel bearings. I also had it repainted (no body works needed) and refurbished the interiors. I am quite satisfied with my Trooper.

 

[TRegasaurus]

I know all about the lack of enough piston oil drain back holes. That is the only design flaw that I am aware of, and is the only one anyone talks about. I blame the "high failure rate" on many people neglecting to change oil regularly and monitor its usage

My 99 Rodeo's V6 has the same issue, since new it would burn a quart every 3,000 miles. With over 160,000 miles my rodeo still only burns a quart every 3,000 miles because I have religiously changed the oil every 3,000 miles.
If you neglect your vehicle, it will let you down every time.

 

[GR8ADV]

Our only trooper was a late 80's variety. We still talk about it as one of our favorite vehicles. But it did die at just over 100k with a crack'd cylendar head. I would not buy one with over 125000 miles on it and expect much more out of it. Possbily the newer versions are more reliable.

I know this is a generalization, but I always go back to what an old and wise mechanic once told me. "If you are going to keep a vehicle for under 100,000 miles it really doesn't matter what you buy. If want it to run reliably to 200k and beyond, buy a toyota."

YMMV

 

[bhop]

Looks like most of what you need to know has been said. I just want to add.. I got my '90 Trooper around 9 months ago. It is my first 4x4/SUV as i've always been a sports car kinda guy. I've always liked the boxy utilitarian look of Troopers, and wanted a cheap 4x4 for snowboarding, camping, hauling my bicycles, etc. Paid around $1200 for this one. It's got around 220k miles on it at the moment and runs perfectly. (There's a mileage thread on planetisuzoo forums with guys in the 300k's) It's slow (2.6 liter), but for some reason it's just fun to drive. I love it and hope to have it for a long time.


The Booger by bhop, on Flickr

 

[Van_Homan]

It's slow (2.6 liter), but for some reason it's just fun to drive.

I agree 100% with this statement