Isuzu was in the US long before the Trooper hit our shores. The company entered a joint venture agreement with General Motors in 1971 and just about immediately, Isuzu-built Chevy Luv trucks began plying our roads. After a decade or so, Isuzu decided to leverage its experience with GM to introduce its own four-wheel drive SUV in the US, called the Trooper. This vehicle was so popular that it was sold worldwide, under at least ten different names. In the US, the vehicles were imported without a back seat for tax reasons; the back seat was installed at the dealer. This configuration trick resulted in appending a “II” to our Trooper designation. Trooper IIs are identical to Troopers! That said, two generations were made – the first from 1981 through 1991 and the second – inevitably larger and more powerful – starting in 1992. Here on craigslist is a 1989 Isuzu Trooper II with an asking price of $14,500. Originally from California, this Trooper is now garaged in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has had only one owner. Thanks to T.J. for this useful tip!
Troopers were available with a variety of engines, nearly all of which were four cylinders. This is a “big block” Trooper, with the 120 hp GM 2.8 liter V6 from the Chevy S-10 pickup; it is paired with a five-speed manual and of course, four-wheel drive. Other than trying to find a second-gen Trooper, this is the cat’s meow of Trooper-ville. The odometer does show 137k miles, and we are not advised about running condition except for the dealer-seller’s reminder that they “sell the nicest vehicles out there for the best price!”
The interior is decent, with care taken to prepare the vehicle for sale. The only flaw I can find is a smudge on the driver’s seat – otherwise, the bolsters look good, the rear seats are great, and the dash is fine. We have all seen worse at this mileage or even less, for sure. This Trooper comes with air conditioning, which has been upgraded to R34.
The underside is dry enough, with minimal surface rust. The seller is honest about the paint, which is faded, as well as minor damage by the passenger’s front outside door handle, and this dent. The first generation’s vintage “box on a box” styling, its unapologetic ruggedness, and the V6 motor overcome this Trooper’s flaws in my opinion, but a buyer should expect to repair or replace more than one item to make her trip-worthy. Here’s a four-cylinder that sold for $16,750 a couple of years ago, or you can opt for this snappy red six-cylinder at $14k. I’m thinking the seller is just about right on his asking price; what do you think?
I had a 1990 back in the late 90s early 2000s. 4 cylinder 5 speed. We bought it used in Nov of 1998 with 88000 miles and i put over 100000 more on it by 2003. It was and still is one of the best little trucks I ever owned. Rust is a big enemy of them including mine. I miss it to this day. This is in amazing condition.
These were dependable trucks with a strong following with those who owned them. My friend owned a 89 V6 5-speed and the only repairs needed besides normal maintenance was intake manifold gaskets around 175K and that was to replace them before they leaked coolant into the engine. I think that was the only thing that killed the 2.8. They were a 300K rig with maintenance.
Had me until the V6 part. I always felt, the Trooper was the best thing to come across the Pacific, but the V6 is a buzzkill. I thought their 4 cylinder( 2.6?) was indestructible, had about the same hp., and got better mileage. The 2.8 was okay. I had several, and strict maintenance was the key, but nothing like the 4 cylinder offered. Reports of the motor far outlasting the body were common. Some put hundreds of thousands on the 4 cylinder. The V6, not so much.Nice trucks, but no thanks on the V6.
I didn’t know they has a GM motor in them. The 2.8 is externally identical to the 3.1 and 3.4, so if somebody wants an easy way to get more power, well there it is. A close friend of mine had one, I can’t remember the model year, and he was hit head on by a drunk driver. He survived, but with a debilitating knee injury. I heard they found the other driver underneath his dashboard, he also survived.
I vaguely recall an early criticism of these was that the two back doors needed each other to latch.
So you couldn’t run long boards out the skinny one for instance without tying the larger door to something
I think they resolved that though mid year.
Neighbors had a 2.8 v6 5spd and he beat the hell out of it for real off road. Fishing and hunting. Always was changing oil and coolant like clockwork, and it served him very well. The body was bent and beaten in from the off road thrashing, very cool looking. Had stock size, but aggresive tread tires, let me tell you he went places with that truck.
My wife and I bought a new 1989 4 cylinder 5 speed. It was supposed to be for her. She ended up driving my 1985 Buick. We had the Trooper for ten years and loved it. Took it off road quite a bit and it was great in the snow. Dependable, economical and easy to maintain. Got almost 200K miles out of it before rust overtook it. Wish I still had it. Seems like a good buy to me. GLWTS.
Several years ago I bought the 1988 mate to this one at a garage sale. It had been hit on the left front wheel, laying it over at an angle. The owner had bought a replacement rolling chassis, l bought both for $150. I originally just wanted the relatively narrow 6 lug rear axle to put under a 30 Chevy panel delivery I was making roadworthy. I swapped the frames, cut the roof off, removed the doors, cut the floor just behind the front seats and had a 4 cyl, 5 speed 4×4 side by side with functional A/C! I wish I had left the windshield, the wipers flop around uselessly. Also got my narrow 6 lug hydraulic brake rear axle to put under my panel delivery.
Unfortunately David, Isuzu did not resolve that. Not on the First Gen. ‘Boxy’ model anyway.
The 40% door latches to the body, and the 60% door latches to it’s lesser mate.
Great machines though.
That’s a nice, virtually rust-free machine, but in the Isuzu niche, it is priced prohibitively. ‘Frugal’ appears to be the watchword for many Isuzu enthusiasts, and the pricing over the years for all older things Isuzu catered to the crowd with that mindset. To say those machines have been a bargain up to this point in time is a major understatement. And that was part of their appeal. Asking $14,500 for a good looking machine with 137,000 miles on it, and the V6 instead of the more fuel-efficient I4, doesn’t take into consideration that such a machine a few years ago was fetching about $6,000, maybe $7,000. I personally would pass on this, but then again, I have 3 Trooper drivers, and 3 spares because new parts are drying up.
Fantastic machines overall.
I believe that at $14.5k and 137k miles, this truck is insanely priced. Seller just trying to cash in. It’s not a collector’s item. It’s not showroom condition. Gas mileage in this thing is abysmal. I know used car prices are up there, but almost $15k for this vehicle is crazy.
Bought one brand new in 1986 when they came out as 4drs. Mine was white with beige fabric interior..4cyl with the 5spd. Like a mini Range Rover with the round headlights, black roof rack. Great vehicle from the start. All for $10800!
The spare tires on the back of these things are a target. My boss had one back in the 1980s and I smacked it hard. Great car just horrible design flaw.
What design flaw? I’ve never heard of anyone else having a problem with it. In fact it is in a great location for easily getting to the spare if you need it, and to check the tire pressure so it is Ready when you need it.
Sorry to hear it gave you problems.
I liked that spot for a spare on my Jeeps too.
Holden Jackaroo in Australia from ’81 – ’05 , very popular down under but not seen much these days
my first 4×4 was a 1986 Trooper II, with the round headlights.
Maroon and Champagne, a guy that worked in a hospital that I serviced equipment in sold it to me for $500.
I used that for hunting/winter snow driving etc….it set me free, I put BFG mud Terrains on it, all my buddies were jealous
I later bought a 1993 round body Trooper in the Champagne goldish color, it was slightly more refined, and it too served me well, until I moved up to a Landcruiser FZJ80, these wagon 4×4’s are my favorite