I don't really know much about Isuzus. I'm thinking about a Trooper or Trooper 2. What model years would be the best? I need the truck to be dependable and drivable on the street/highway but I also want to have good offroad capability. I like to camp far off the beaten track. I will also put a dirtbike on a carrier on the hitch. Any suggestions?? Oh, I have 4k to spend. Thanks in advance.

I would suggest a mid-90s Trooper. You get the wider track 95+ but avoid the potential oil burning problems with 98-01 Troopers. Plus, with a 97 and older you can upgrade the transfer case with crawler gears if desired, and Aussie lockers are available for the axles, neither of which are available 98+. A manual tranny would be more reliable long-term, too.

Those suggestions sound good. I'll probably be doing some sort of locker in one of the axles. '95 to '97 is about right for my price range as well. Thanks for the info.

Many, but not all, Troopers from that era will have a rear limited slip axle from the factory. Look for a G80 code on the firewall option plate.

One other minor point, I believe with 96 came OBD II, if that matters to you. Some people like the greater diagnostic information from OBD II...others like the simplicity of OBD I. Personally I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker either way.

The Trooper is a great vehicle, very capable offroad and very reliable - if it comes with the manual transmission. Avoid auto Troopers. My friend went through 3 or 4 transmissions in his 2002 Trooper (same tranny as in mid 90s). Now he transplanted an Aisin transmission from 2004 Rodeo.

If I'd be buying an Isuzu now, I would choose one of these vehicles, in the following declining order of preference:

1) 95+ Trooper with manual transmission;
2) 2004 Axiom with Aisin auto transmission, 3.5DI engine and TOD.
3) 2004 Rodeo with Aisin auto transmission.
4) 1996-1997 Rodeo with manual transmission.
5) 1998+ Rodeo / Rodeo Sport with manual transmission.
6) 1985-1991 Trooper with older Aisin transmission.

I'd avoid everything else.

Well, I found a pretty lightly used 98 Trooper. It will need a front driveshaft soon, the rubber boot is torn. I know from previous experience with front wheel drive cars this is an indication that it's going out. I can change it though. I can't find a service manual anyplace?? Anybody have a source for one? I'm gonna drive this truck a while and then lift it mildly and put bigger tires. Any ideas??

Thanks in advance.

There is no Haynes or Chiltons for a 98. You can get a factory shop manual at helminc.com for $$.

With regards to a mild lift, easiest and IMO best way to go is to install OME rear coil springs. 3 load ranges are available, and all are better than the soft stock springs. They will lift 1-2" depending on which ones you get. I suggest calling Independent4x and tell them what you plan to do with the Trooper and they will recommend a spring for you. Then you adjust the front torsion bars to match the lift. Easy and pretty cheap as lifts go.

Did you buy the '98?
If you did, congrats.
My one word of advice is check the engine oil at every fill up. The 3.5 uses oil, plain and simple, if you keep it full it will last. If you treat it like a toyota and check the oil once a year you will have a ruined engine. My biggest fear of buying a used late model trooper is not knowing how the PO looked after the oil.
If you haven't purchase the trooper yet. You may want to look into the sohc motors. They have better oil control and seem to be less prone to being run low on oil.