Learn me Isuzu Trooper alternatives

I'm scared to make this post. I don't want to spend all the moneys.

That said, I need something practical. The e30 isn't going to meet my needs for much longer.

I'm really enamored with the Isuzu Trooper but they seem to be slim pickings up here. I want something like it. The next thought was an XJ, and my only reason for not wanting it is totally superficial. I daily'd a diesel Land Cruiser in Costa Rica. Talk about an awesome truck.

I want something that will handle some medium duty wheeling and not break the bank. Should be easy to work on, tow class 2 or higher, have cheap parts, sleep 1 and half people in the back (I'm 6'3"), and get > 15 mpg highway. If we can dip 20s I'd be ecstatic.

I'll say it before anyone else does. XJ! But what else?

Mitsubishi Montero

But not the Montero Sport

How exactly does "medium duty wheeling" and "practical" apply to the same vehicle?

My other guess is Acura SLX but that is likely even less easy to find.

Searching the keyword Trooper in the Maine CL brings up 7 under $5k and most are $2.5k to $1k.

Just buy a trooper. I love mine like a family member and do everything you want to do (and more) with it.

Fun fact: they float! I found that out yesterday.

I have an XJ but I also looked at Troopers, Monteros, Xterras and 4runners and some early Land Cruisers. I went with the Jeep mostly because of the large selection, after market availability and cost. This segment is not known for their economy so I think 20 mpg range is a dream unless (and then only maybe) you do all steady highway miles. I have a 3" lift and 31" tires on the Jeep and average 12-13 mpg most of the time and 17-18 mpg all highway. It sounds terrible but I have a friend with the same year and motor Wrangler and he averages 10 mpg. Good luck with your search.

Id hold out for a low-options 90s trooper with a manual. A friend had one years back and i loved it. Manual windows, locks, trans, t-case, and a crap load of oh E36 M3 handles and good space. Seemed like a great vehicle.

Id go XJs bigger nicer brother the ZJ (96-98 Grand Cherokee, yes I know its actually 93-98 but all the nice things I have to say about ZJs doesnt really apply to 93-95s)

The I6 gets you 5000lb towing and mid teens MPG. The 5.2 is 6500lb and 14mpg. 5.9 is 6500lb and maybe 10mpg but it sure is fast

BoneYard_Racing wrote: Id go XJs bigger nicer brother the ZJ (96-98 Grand Cherokee, yes I know its actually 93-98 but all the nice things I have to say about ZJs doesnt really apply to 93-95s) The I6 gets you 5000lb towing and mid teens MPG. The 5.2 is 6500lb and 14mpg. 5.9 is 6500lb and maybe 10mpg but it sure is fast

That'd be a hilarious full circle. My first car was a gifted 94 ZJ that was absolutely flawlessly perfect.. plus it had a 5 speed.

late 80's/early 90's Chevy K5 Blazer..

seriously- the TBI 350 will get the mileage you seek with more power than you are probably used to and you will have all the interior room you seek.

parts are cheap, they are easy to work on, and the top comes off for some open air playing on nice days..

I put 150,000 miles on this V-6 5 speed 4-Runner, then sold it to my son for $1. He ran it for three years. Living in the Northeast, the frame would not pass the annual inspection due to rust, so it was sold to a girl to run on the beach (no plates).

The car was as reliable as the sun! It would sit in my drive way for months, then I would hook up a tow dolly and go to Michigan to fetch a car, and it seemed happy to do it. It actually hauled the BatVan on a trailer during the $2004 Challenge after the clutch on my tow vehicle puked.

One feature I enjoy that isn't on Jeeps, Tahoes or Troopers -- you can open the rear window while driving. Nice breeze without AC, in the winter it helps move warm air through the cabin faster.

I'd buy another one tomorrow.

Dan

Being a Trooper devotee, yeah the other close one is the V6 4Runner like Dan had and also the 92-97 Rodeo. When hunting 4x4 rigs, keep in mind that if you are towing brakes will be a big consideration. Little Cherokees and many Grand Cherokees have marginal brakes that can be overheated quickly, happened on my '92 Cherokee a couple of times. Go for 4 wheel disc.

Again on tow capacity, usually manuals are rated lower than slushboxes. I think that's due to the clutch's capacity, but I dunno for sure.

For sleeping, the Rodeo has a flatter rear floor than the Trooper and the tailgate folds down, making for a nice long bed. I used to sleep in my '94 when I was racing motorcycles and I'm 6'.

Fun fact: Did you know that Troopers float, but only briefly? Ask me how I know.

Better yet, ask Tommy how I know.

Margie

We used to tell the guys who griped about their Jeeps sustaining non-warrantable water damage that 'trail rated' does not mean 'pond rated'.

Yeah, that's pretty much what happened. He's hoping to get some time in The Body Werks' heated paint booth this weekend to dry it out, and my oven played host to a soggy ECU yesterday. At least he shut it down before he hydrolocked the thing.

To the OP, you want a Trooper. They're dead simple, which is good, or this one would just be dead.

Margie

Why not the Montero Sport? There seem to be a lot of them on Craigslist.

Well technically it probably meets your requirements.

The sohc 3.0 in them is very reliable and pretty easy to work on. Cant comment on their auto trans. If you find a manual it is probably a safer bet.

Oooof. If Tommy got it that deep, drain and refill the axles! The breather tubes are clipped to the frame rails and if it got deep enough to wet the ECU then it was over the top of the vent tubes. Later Troopers like mine moved the front axle vent up to the top of the engine compartment but the rear is still on the frame rail. I'd drain and refill the transmission and transfer case too, just to be on the safe side.

Thanks for the advice, Curmudgeon, but fortunately I didn't need to tell him. Trooper is now sporting all new fluids, plus a new alternator.

Margie

i found a '00 Blazer this weekend for $1,500. needs $500 worth of odds and ends to really be square, but the owner had a huge stack of receipts covering EVERY typical problem these p.o.s.'s have.

i'm always being reminded that finding a good deal on a used car means not being set on a brand or model.

Going of what belteshazzar said, I am trying to look at everything with an unbiased eye.

I think the XJ is an undeniable bang for the buck.

In my mind, I have an XJ with rear e-locker, 30" tires (or slightly smaller), and maybe a 1-2" lift. Do you guys think this is mild enough for a daily driver?

Easily if you go with all terrains over mud terrains

Gas mileage will suck but it's a jeep and expected

I would consider an XJ with a 3-4" lift, 33" tires, and fender trimming an excellent daily driver. With that much lift, you don't really have to worry about most traffic jams, just drive your way out.

Taiden wrote: That'd be a hilarious full circle. My first car was a gifted 94 ZJ that was absolutely flawlessly perfect.. plus it had a 5 speed.

Well, that accounts for one of the seven or so they built. That was my personal unicorn for a few years...I've still never seen one in person.

Tom Suddard wrote: Just buy a trooper. I love mine like a family member and do everything you want to do (and more) with it. Fun fact: they float! I found that out yesterday.

I cannot believe we don't have pictures of this yet