1987 Isuzu Trooper LX 2.4L non turbo from North America

Summary:

The BEST 4X4 on the market

Faults:

Left Rear axle bearing went out at about 14,000 miles.

Wiper arms came off drive control about 4,000 miles.

General Comments:

Vehicle won't break your neck getting going, but it climbs like a mule and gets you into places others can't get.

You can lay the seats down and use them for sleeping in the back.

The engine and gear combination is perfect for back country hill climbing and hunting.

This is the most reliable 4X4 I have ever owned and I wish they would re-introduce it, I would buy another in a heart beat if it was made the same way as this one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2006

14th Sep 2006, 06:01

I see that your previous vehicle was an "Isuzu Ford Bronco II"

You should've held onto that one. They're almost as rare as a

Nissan Dodge Durango!

By the way, the old Trooper was a tough little SUV (although it did have rust problems), but where do you come up with a 10 out of 10 in performance? You could practically use a sun dial to time them from 0 to 60.

1987 Isuzu Trooper 4 Door 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Low cost, reliable, maintenance free 4x4

Faults:

Since I purchased the car, I have had not one thing go bad in the engine or transmission. The only thing that I can complain about are the front seats. They are beginning to wear badly. I can't complain too much, they did last up until about 130,000 miles.

General Comments:

My Trooper is slow and its boxy, but what could you possibly complain about on a $1500 truck? I do the regular maintenance myself, its like a Lego car.

Since I bought the car I have gone all out. I installed Hella H.I.D. headlights (about $600) and 22" rims with 33" tires, everybody thinks it's a Mercedes G - Wagon. I've never had anything go wrong, it starts every time and gets me around at about 17 mpg. I love this truck and I will never part with it.

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

Review Date: 29th March, 2004

1987 Isuzu Trooper 2.3L from North America

Summary:

A economy class 4x4 with a ruff ride

Faults:

My Carburetor had to be replaced and it was very expensive. $600.00 just for the carburetor and $140 to install. After all that the choke will not function properly. Beware, this part will make a huge dent in your wallet.

Rear differential seal needed to be replaced. The leak was spewing fluid all over my muffler and almost caught the vehicle on fire.

General Comments:

Very ruff ride and not much power with a loud interior from road noise.

I bought this for an in-expensive 4x4, for winter, and it cost me more to fix it then the purchase price.

Good thing is with over 100,000 miles no oil leaks and the engine seems to run strong.

Most parts are inexpensive and you can replace yourself.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2004

12th Feb 2006, 19:25

I don't know. I have a 1987 Isuzu Trooper. When I bought it, it had 164,000 miles on it. I replaced the head on it, put a new cat and muffler on it, and it runs like a champ. It now has 193000 miles on it, and it does have a few problems. The most annoying is an oil leak from the front seal, and a leak from around the windshield gasket that causes the drivers side floorboard to get wet when it rains. The nice thing about it is that it is easy to work on since it does not have a computer to contend with. I did replace the auto lock hubs with manual locking hubs to reduce front end wear and to help the gas mileage. I get around a constant 20mpg, which isn't too bad for an almost 20 year old vehicle. It rides pretty good too. Spare parts are relatively easy to come by. So, all in all, not a bad ride. And it appears that the 1st generation Troopers are becoming popular again.

18th May 2009, 17:32

I too have had an 87 Trooper since 87. I'm the only owner. It had a small issue with a leaking rear drivers side hub seal, but I was able to fix that for under $60. Next was one of the arms of the windshield wiper came off, another easy fix for no cost.

Other than those two things the only other negatives I can say about it is the wind will really buffet you around when it comes in across your side. And probably the biggest problem is the windshield really likes to catch rocks! I replaced the windshield nearly every year I've owned it and right now it needs another.

On the side of utility, this is THE BEST little vehicle I have ever had. I hunt a lot and am in the Rocky Mountains, where there are a lot of steep, long climbs to the top of the ridges. This baby would crawl along without even a hitch. The 4 banger motor and gear ratios are PERFECT for what I do. It won't break your neck getting up to speed on the freeway, but it will get there and the ride is smooth as silk.

I'm sorry they are going to quit making them in the US, and wish someone would come out with an identical vehicle to the 87 through 93 versions of this utv.

It has 234,000 miles on it and I would not hesitate one minute to take a cross country venture with it.

1987 Isuzu Trooper from North America

Summary:

The Super Trooper

Faults:

Around late 90's, We had to have the engine replaced.

In 2002, there were huge problems with the carburetor. I don't know if it was the mechanic or if it truly was the car. You would have to keep your foot on the gas constantly even at stops to keep the Rpms up so the engine wouldn't die.

Electric problems with the tail lights and indoor courtesy lights, but the tail-lights were fixed.

General Comments:

This car lasted 16 years and 257,000 miles. It had an excellent exterior. Not one spot of rust or a dent. The 4x4 function still worked up until its last days. The interior lasted pretty long also.

I loved this car so much that I plan to buy the exact copy of it because my brother wrecked mine. All my friends loved it also.

It also has a great stereo system for its age.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th May, 2003