1988 Isuzu Trooper review from North America

Head gasket blew after about 5,000 miles. New gasket was installed at 174,000 miles and was leaking by 179,000 miles (I estimate because the speedometer was not working.)

Left front hub would not disengage. The hub grease had become very thick and prevented the automatic hub from unlocking. This was quite time-consuming to repair.

Burns 1 Qt oil per 500 miles.

Left rear brake pad wore out and dug huge (but repairable) grooves in rotor. Previous owner probably had a lot to do with this!

A/C was inoperative when I bought it.

Speedometer was oily and inaccurate from transmission fluid that migrated up the cable. All had to be replaced.

We loved this 4 Wheel Drive box for it's high seating position and willingness to go anywhere coupled with it's roomy, utilitarian shape. It was excellent for work on the farm and to get through the snows of last winter.

Unfortunately, the engine seems to be flawed. It was delivered to us in November with a brand new head gasket. By late May the gasket was leaking. With stop-leak in the radiator, we have kept it running, but only as a farm vehicle.

I love the vehicle, but am reluctant to spend any more money on a an engine with such a reputation for head cracking and head gasket problems. I wish a different engine would slip readily in to replace this 2.6 L 4 cylinder, for other than the engine (!!) it is a super vehicle.