Isuzu Trooper Marches On

[kodiak]

How’s the body, is there any rust?

[nfpgasmask]

How’s the body, is there any rust?

Actually, being a Florida vehicle, there is minimal rust, but the clear coat on the hood and roof is getting pretty bad. The interior and body is basically 100% straight, no major dents or scratches.

Bart

[taylorRichie]

My boss has one that's about the same year with over 200K on the clock... and his old trooper prior to this one has almost 300K on it (sold it to a local still driving it)

Both vehicles have the 3.2... was it a better powerplant??

[BigSwede]

The 92-97 3.2L doesn't have the oil burning issues that the 98+ motors did. For example, in 2008 my Trooper went to Moab and back (almost 3000 miles), with a week of wheeling in the middle, and burned about 1/4 of a quart (motor has about 125K miles on it).

OTOH, the newer motors make more power than the 175-190hp of the older generation 3.2Ls.

[nfpgasmask]

The 92-97 3.2L doesn't have the oil burning issues that the 98+ motors did. For example, in 2008 my Trooper went to Moab and back (almost 3000 miles), with a week of wheeling in the middle, and burned about 1/4 of a quart (motor has about 125K miles on it).

OTOH, the newer motors make more power than the 175-190hp of the older generation 3.2Ls.

Hey Swede,

Well, they may not burn it, but they sure do leak it!!! Any idea where to look? She had the head gasket replaced about a year or so ago, but now its dripping pretty good underneath. Do you think it could be the pan gasket or maybe something worse? I know, I know, impossible to guess without looking at it, but maybe you know of some common stuff?

Thanks - Bart

PS - How much do you know about the even older Trooper engines? I am probably going to buy and 88-90 this summer once the VX is paid off and turn it into a full time wheeler/trail banger.

[digital_will]

I had a '94 trooper that had over 250k miles when I donated it in '04, I think. The guy who picked it up said it was one of the cleanest cars that he'd ever picked up. It was still running like a champ. That's why I bought my vehicross and it just rolled 158k on it.

[nfpgasmask]

I had a '94 trooper that had over 250k miles when I donated it in '04, I think. The guy who picked it up said it was one of the cleanest cars that he'd ever picked up. It was still running like a champ. That's why I bought my vehicross and it just rolled 158k on it.

Yup, that is what I am talking about!!

Bart

[BigSwede]

Hey Swede,

Well, they may not burn it, but they sure do leak it!!! Any idea where to look? She had the head gasket replaced about a year or so ago, but now its dripping pretty good underneath. Do you think it could be the pan gasket or maybe something worse? I know, I know, impossible to guess without looking at it, but maybe you know of some common stuff?

I am not aware of any common leaks other than valve cover gaskets, which results in oil in the spark plug tubes. So, you're back to standard leak diagnostics...

PS - How much do you know about the even older Trooper engines? I am probably going to buy and 88-90 this summer once the VX is paid off and turn it into a full time wheeler/trail banger.

Dunno a lot about first gens... I would stick with that 88-90 era for the stronger 10/12 bolt axles vs the 8/10 combo in the older first gens. AFAIK the 2.6L Isuzu 4-cylinder is about the same power as the GM 2.8L V6 (not a lot in either case). However, if you will want to swap in more power the V6 provides the advantage of a bellhousing that will relatively easily accommodate the Camaro 3.4L.

[nfpgasmask]

I am not aware of any common leaks other than valve cover gaskets, which results in oil in the spark plug tubes. So, you're back to standard leak diagnostics...

Dunno a lot about first gens... I would stick with that 88-90 era for the stronger 10/12 bolt axles vs the 8/10 combo in the older first gens. AFAIK the 2.6L Isuzu 4-cylinder is about the same power as the GM 2.8L V6 (not a lot in either case). However, if you will want to swap in more power the V6 provides the advantage of a bellhousing that will relatively easily accommodate the Camaro 3.4L.

Cool, thanks for the info!

Bart