so I'm looking at 95-97 Troopers

[jeep-N-montero]

I may be replacing one of my Jeeps soon with a Trooper and was curious how reliable the automatic transmissions are in them? I would prefer a manual for reliability and better mpg's, but not sure if my wife has the patience to learn a manual and it would be nice to have her drive on longer trips. The plan is to just run 31's with no lift so I don't think that would put much strain on the transmission. Anyone have exact dimensions of the rear cargo area from the back of the front seats to the the barn doors and the width at the widest and narrowest points? I have been looking in the classifieds and Troopers are not exactly common on there, and how many miles are too many?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Anyone?

 

[double moo]

40" between the wheel wells, 52.5" above the wells. 5'-8" from shoulder of seats to rear door... Front seats slid all the way back. If you are looking to sleep in it, plan on a platform to get you above the wells and over the folded down rear seats. This also allows you to flop the front seats forward making just over 7' available platform. Also... I can carry 10' lumber inside mine - across the back seat and resting on the center dash!

 

[Ryan Bickford]

Thats a great idea ! According to the very little reserach i have done i am opting for the tent on top with shelving in the rear so i can take my daughter ... I am replacing the rear seats with a single in the middle seat !

 

[double moo]

I too was planning on a RTT. Problem for me was that with the 265/75 tires and the OME rear springs... my roof rack sits at 7'. Adding the RTT puts it up another 8"+. So way too high to lift my dogs in and out! I ended up with the OzTent for a quick set up ground unit. Great tent but a bit pricey. There is a series of threads about them here on the Portal. The Troopers can be a bit top heavy to start with... adding weight to the roof will make you more careful!!

 

[double moo]

See what Scott Brady had to say about his Trooper...

http://www.expeditionswest.com/vehicles/ewvehicles/Isuzu_Trooper/index.html

Their highest rated vehicle for it's time...

http://www.expeditionswest.com/vehicles/past_ew_vehicles/index.html

 

[Ryan Bickford]

I guess everything i am looking at is top heavy , I was also looking for a range rover or disco

 

[tin]

I am in Calgary, Canada. There is a 1992 JDM RHD Trooper in the classifieds. It has a 4JG2 turbo diesel engine and manual transmission.
Check it out: http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...uzu-Trooper-Bighorn-Diesel-W0QQAdIdZ304555459

 

[Cee-Jay]

I may be replacing one of my Jeeps soon with a Trooper and was curious how reliable the automatic transmissions are in them?

Not a Trooper owner myself, but I've read a lot about them and nearly purchased one. My understanding is that the manual trannys are decent but the GM 4L30-E automatic transmissions on them were somewhat light duty. It is not uncommon to find Troopers of that vintage with 100-150k miles on them for sale with "just replaced transmission" listed as one of the selling points. That being said, plenty of guys who take excellent care of their Troopers have gotten 200k+ miles on their auto tranny even with bigger tires and off-road use. The 4L30-E is allegedly a PITA to service properly, which probably contributes to the problems.

My guess is that, if you find one with a new/newly rebuilt auto (or simply one that's been well taken care of) then you'll probably be fine if you treat it right. Or just go with the manual.

Again though, you're reading a post from a guy who has never even owned one... use my information at your own risk!