Old Isuzu Trooper info?

[speeder]

Going to look at a 1990 Trooper for dirt cheap, anyone know these? It's a 4 cyl./5-speed, I've always liked the old body style. Are they tough? Are they POSs?

TIA as always!

[Dueller]

If they've been maintained they're pretty tough. Ex-GF had one thatwas 4 cyl/5 spd and it went to 280K miles. In the last 50K it lunched the transmission ($900 installed junkyard replacement) and the exhaust manifold cracked (removed and welded it back together).

We drove it from Miss to Washington state, took the inside passage ferry to AK, drove it around for 4-5 weeks, sold it for $3K, and flew back...apparently rust free 4wd's are in demand up there.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by speeder

Going to look at a 1990 Trooper for dirt cheap, anyone know these? It's a 4 cyl./5-speed, I've always liked the old body style. Are they tough? Are they POSs?

TIA as always!

We trashed a few brand new late 80's Troopers in a couple weeks while in Honduras with the military back then. They were issued to us brand new, and two weeks later when we turned them in, they were rattle traps. I heard the quality went up in later years, but those early ones were pretty chincy. To be honest, they still ran fine, buts lots of squeeks and rattles after two weeks of driving on stone and dirt paths.

[porsche4life]

My parents had one and the only thing dad says is that it was an underpowered pos

[Tyson Schmidt]

The cylinder heads are the weak link. The exhaust valve clearance closes up, and they burn valves.

Doing a cylinder head rebuild is pretty easy though, just make sure you adjust valves VERY regularly. They are good motors otherwise. No powerhouse, but properly tuned, they are tractable enough.

[Jim Bremner]

they also eat brakes and clutches.

I owned two...I've never bought a asian car after owning one

[speeder]

Thanks, guys. I just went and looked at it and passed. It was too much of a toilet, even for the whopping price of $600. (Needed some work). I'm looking for a cheap wagon or truck to haul ladders around, etc.

I drove it and even though it wasn't the best example it ran OK. They're not good-driving vehicles, (at all), even for a truck. I've owned plenty of every imaginable variety.

My search goes back to the perfect Volvo wagon beater, a much better appliance. Thanks again!

[bell]

My dad had one with the v6 and 5 speed, it was pretty tough even after I took it off roading a bunch of times without his knowledge

[LWJ]

DEATH TRAP!!!
Understand that you passed. I had to put my $.02 in. Almost died in one around 1995. Poorest designed suspension I have ever been in.

Suburbans are cheap and solid. I got a 91 for $850 last year. Ugly but runs like a champ.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by LWJ

DEATH TRAP!!!
Understand that you passed. I had to put my $.02 in. Almost died in one around 1995. Poorest designed suspension I have ever been in.

Suburbans are cheap and solid. I got a 91 for $850 last year. Ugly but runs like a champ.

I've ridden in the newer body style on a curvy freeway, (Pasadena, 2nd oldest freeway in U.S.), and I almost soiled myself when the driver drifted a little and then swerved/corrected. I've never felt so much like I was about to barrel-roll in a vehicle in my life. Tall, mushy boat-like ride, horrible.

Jim, in fairness to other asian vehicles, they come a lot better than this. An older 4-runner w/ 4-cyl. and manual trans is a great vehicle in comparison. Troopers really are shyt.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Buy a 1st gen 4Runner. Cheap, bombproof powertrain, goes everywhere.

[Dottore]

Complete POS!

My father bought one years ago because he read it was built in a truck factory and "should be built like a truck".

Apart from an LR Defender, I don't think I have ever driven a more underpowered, badly suspended bucket of bolts in my life.

I ended up giving it away for him, and buying him a proper car.

[porsche4life]

Buy a vw TDI wagon. There is a passat around here that is enticing. You prolly wont find a cheap one out that way with all the TDI fanboys in cali.

[alf]

Had one during undergrad. It was a POS but the back seats fold down to a flat bed and came in handy.

[kach22i]

An alternate to consider:

Beater of the Day: 1988 Jeep Comanche
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/07/beater-of-the-day-1988-jeep-comanche/


There were a couple of 88-89 Comanches I was considering buying, but they were all sold by the time I called.

Priced at $500 for non-running, $1,200-$1,800 for running examples on Craig's List in my area.