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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » May I be learned on 2002 Isuzu Troopers?

June 2, 2011 2:31 a.m. Racer1ab Reader

Doesn't specifically have to be 2002, any experiences with the second-gen model would be helpful.

I actually came across these while searching for a Jeep Cherokee. Similar fuel mileage, but it sounds like the Isuzu may have a similarly durable drivetrain, and is a bit more luxurious on the inside.

I found out that an older couple who goes to our church was planning on donating their 2002 Trooper with 60k miles. I respectfully asked if they would consider selling it, as I know it's been properly maintained, and was given a price of $5k.

What say the GRM folks, should I pull the trigger or look it over a bit more closely?
June 2, 2011 7:50 a.m. failboat Reader

Consider parts availaibility versus the Jeep. I lose count of how many jeeps I see in 20 minutes of driving, I see MAYBE 1 trooper in a week or two.

I sort of did the same thing, I got a 1st gen Mazda MPV 4WD instead of an AWD Astro van. Some days I am glad I did, some days I wish I got the Astro instead. Certain parts are harder/more expensive to obtain for the Mazda.

Something to think about.
June 2, 2011 8:41 a.m. Bobzilla Dork

Run.
June 2, 2011 9:06 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

They aren't bad, but the Jeep is superior, usually cheaper, and bulletproof to the max.

I ran across a few of them when i was shopping for my Cherokee as well.
June 2, 2011 9:24 a.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

Disagree with Zilla. I still drive a 1997 Trooper every day. I worked for an Isuzu dealer when those were new, they are tough as nails. Parts are still easy to find because there are a BUNCH of them around, that body style was used from 1992-2004.

The '02 will have the DOHC 3.5 which is considerably punchier than the SOHC 3.2 which wasn't bad considering what it had to pull around. The one thing to look for on the 3.5, check the PCV valve. The early (98-01) had a plastic PCV valve, those could have oil consumption problems. The 02-04 should have a big threaded PCV valve, right behind the oil fill cap on the left valve cover, those don't have the problem.

Gas mileage is not real great on any of them, maybe 19 MPG hwy under ideal conditions. If it's TOD (Torque On Demand, which is full time 4WD) it won't be that good. But it will run just fine on regular.
June 2, 2011 9:26 a.m. Bobzilla Dork

mY only experience with these are with the rebadged SLX. Every one of those was a rolling pile of poo. I have yet to hve one roll into the shop that didn't need $1500 worth of work to keep it on the road. Parts are pricey and hard to get and it's just not a pleasant vehicle IMO.

I'll take a 'Zuk Grand Vitara any day of the week over one of those.
June 2, 2011 9:28 a.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

Yeah, the Honda guys never liked the Passport or the SLX.
June 2, 2011 11:12 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

I'd rather have the particular $5000 Trooper you just described, than most Jeeps at that price point.
June 2, 2011 11:14 a.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

belteshazzar wrote:

I'd rather have the particular $5000 Trooper you just described, than most Jeeps at that price point.

With that kind of mileage, it does seem like a decent deal.

That said, i paid $3000 for my 2000 Cherokee, and while it has 170k miles on it, EVERYTHING, and i mean EVERYTHING works and feels like it's brand new. No rust, but a couple door dings that i don't care about. Paint is even still in excellent shape.

It mostly comes down to how important the miles are to you.
June 2, 2011 12:45 p.m. integraguy Dork

Someone beat me to it.

The guy who used to work on my Hondas also did some work on Passports and SLXs and said what others here said..."can be a pain to work on and parts can be very expensive." I know your '02 has a slightly different engine, but the one in Passports was known to have a cam chain(belt?) tensioner that was prone to failure. Very expensive to fix. Another friend had a starter go out on him and was shocked at the price for a rebuild.

And yeah, as another day rolls by, these become less and less common.
June 2, 2011 12:53 p.m. Curmudgeon SuperDork

Isuzus are not hard to work on, don't know where that came from. Most of the engine electronics are GM (Delphi) stuff and a GM Tech II will diagnose the OBD II cars easily as will the Snap On etc universal scanners. Timing belt tensioner = ~$170 in parts and 2 or so hours to replace. Never saw failures until VERY high mileage.

Honda guys were scared of them because they wuz furrin'. Same as my Isuzu guys were terrified of the Oasis (rebadged Odyssey) or Hombre (rebadged S10).
June 2, 2011 7:35 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

Just had an insurance claim on one. Took us a whole day to find someone who could actually supply parts for the thing. Now we have to wait "at least a week" to get a bumper. No dealers + mediocre vehicle = avoid.
June 2, 2011 8:12 p.m. Vigo Dork

4l30 auto trans is junk and decently hard to r&r iirc. Thats the thing id be worried about. Get a manual.
June 2, 2011 9:19 p.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork

Have you considered the 2nd gen Monteros?
June 3, 2011 3:50 a.m. Racer1ab Reader

belteshazzar wrote:

I'd rather have the particular $5000 Trooper you just described, than most Jeeps at that price point.

That's my dilemma, any Cherokees around here in that price range are either questionably modified and then beaten to hell, or they've been modified with quality parts and then driven to the mall and back, which I don't get. Don't really want to ruin the handling or fuel mileage by installing a 6-inch lift and 35 inch tires.

Where's my stockish, well-maintained Cherokee? Preferably manual!
June 3, 2011 5:38 p.m. sevenracer New Reader

I had a 99 Trooper with the 3.5 and TOD wheel drive.

I actually really like the vehicle - But I sold it because it was consuming about a quart of oil every 700 or 800 miles.

My internet research at the time yielded multiple reports of engines failing with 70-120k miles due to a bearing failure on a particular cylinder - attributed to oil consumption coupled with no oil warning light occuring. Original owners were getting engines replaced out of warranty after some type of "oil consumption test" - dealer would do an oil change seal the drain plug and oil filler cap and then check oil level after 2000 miles.

No idea how widespread this was or the validity of the info above. I bought used so wasn't eligible for the dealer test, and it looked like a JY engine installed would have been 5
June 3, 2011 5:42 p.m. sevenracer New Reader

continued post from above.

Looked like 4-5k to have a JY engine put in, so I sold it instead of risking it.

Years later saw the info on the PCV valve causing oil consumption - wondered if that was the only issue mine had.

Sort of a rambling (2) posts, but the conclusion is I would skip it unless you know it doesn't consume oil.
June 3, 2011 5:45 p.m. curtis73 Dork

Vigo wrote:

4l30 auto trans is junk and decently hard to r&r iirc. Thats the thing id be worried about. Get a manual.

This.

If its a 4L30E, you'd be better off sticking a red hot ingot of iron in your underpants.

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