1989 Isuzu Trooper XS 1.6L 120 HP

Summary:

A tank! (rugged and durable, a real truck!)

Faults:

Condensation in headlights.

Starter and fuel pump replaced.

Constantly squealing brakes.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable vehicle imaginable.

I decided 4 years ago to stop putting money into it, and yet it kept going and going!

Started every morning, in -30 sometimes, without being plugged in!

I used synthetic oil from day 1, and I'm glad I did.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2004

1989 Isuzu Trooper S 2.6

Faults:

The starter had to be replaced. One blown head gasket. One water pump. My head gasket went out around 165000 miles. The same with the water pump. The starter went out around 175,000 miles.

General Comments:

I love my Trooper even with the 2.6,it has torque,and it still has the second head gasket.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st August, 2004

21st Sep 2004, 01:23

What hapend when the cylinder head gasket blew?

I have one with that may have the same problem. Hopefully the head isn't warped.

I have another that is running. So I am taking my time to have the other fixed.

Frank.

In reply to 21st Sep 2004, 01:23

4th Jul 2012, 07:13

I am adding to this response years after it was posted, just so people like myself who still love old Troopers can benefit from the information:

I had an 86 Trooper that blew a head gasket. Look for these symptoms --

Loss of power.

Smoke from the tailpipe.

Coolant in the crankcase (pull the dipstick; if there is coolant/water in the oil, it is most likely a bad head gasket).

You can also Google other ways to check for gasket problems.

And I have no idea how to check for a warped head without removing the head.

1989 Isuzu Trooper S 2.6L

Summary:

Simple, well-designed quality

Faults:

When I got the car I was very excited to find that it only had 68K and was being sold for $2,700! I noticed that the car was starting rough and running a bit rough. So I did a small tune up. Compression was good. New distributer cap, rotor, plugs, and air filter cost me $90 bucks.

At 73K I replaced the 4 accessory belts and timing belts for $270. Next time I'm gonna do it myself!

Also at 74K I had a new catalytic converter installed because my car failed emissions testing. That set me back another $370! Ouch.

Right now it needs a new front upper balljoint replaced and a valve adjustment (which is recommended every 15K for the 2.6 Litre engine).

General Comments:

This is a quality vehicle. Its important to note that this 4 door long wheelbase SUV only weights roughly 3,500 pounds. Which as anyone who is into cars will tell you, is about 1,500 to 2,000 pounds lighter than similar sized cars today.

Having such a lightweight truck means each part it less stressed. 4 wheel disk breaks, clutch, suspension components, etc. all have a longer life because there is less stress on them.

The Trooper is easy to work on, esp. for someone who isn't a trained mechanic.

For the future I would like to continue to drive it with care and maintain the truck to keep in it top running condition. I would recommend that owners buy some simple tools to do most maintenance themselves to save some cheese.

Overall the Trooper is a fine car with plenty of room. The engineering on this car is simple and utilitarian which makes it fun to work on. I plan on keeping this car for a long time.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th February, 2004

1989 Isuzu Trooper 2.6 4 cylinder

Summary:

It looks very nice

Faults:

I just bought this trooper for $83.00, it has no engine, no tranSmission, no transfer case, and no drive shafts. other than that it is in wonderful shape and is a nice looking vehicle.

General Comments:

I am wondering if anyone thinks it would be worth my trouble hunting down and buying all the parts to put this back on the road. I want a vehicle that would be a good every day driver on and off the road. but I all so want something that can hold up plowing snow. we don't get much snow in St. Louis, I would have to plow my own auto repair shop parking lot just once or twice a year, at least for the last few years. my bronco is no longer around so I need a tough vehicle. this trooper is very nice looking and I would like to keep it if it will do the job.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th February, 2004

13th Feb 2004, 12:32

Keep it mate. I just got one and they are amazing will pull a house unstoppable better than some... no all british 4x4's didn't think it would be at price, but it is.

27th Feb 2004, 20:53

Go for it man! We're not sorry we bought ours. We're in The Pas, Manitoba. We have a lot of rough going here. It is a beautiful vehicle. We have the only Trooper in town. Everybody makes positive comments about it. If you have the cash do it! This is the home of Trapper's Festival! Way up north.

24th Jan 2005, 20:58

Hello, I am looking into buying a 1989 Trooper, since my 1979 Bronco Ranger burned up in a dash fire. I was wondering if it is worth it? The Trooper is $850. The ext. is rusty, but it runs awesome.