As all have said, it's a toss up.

I'm new to the Montero/Raider but I have an Isuzu pup with the 2.6l for over 5 years. When I got it, it has a blown gasket. I replaced with aftermarket head and oem gasket. I have been driving that thing ever since. Total cost was a little over 1K as I did both top and bottom of the engine. I also rebuilt a latter year pup with the same engine for a friend. He has been driving it for several years now without problem.

I just bought a Montero last month with a bad tranny that has the 2.6l engine. I am swapping out the tranny and hopefully my experience with the Montero is the same or better than the Isuzu.

I don't know if you've seen the 3 doors version of the Trooper, but for apple-apple comparison, this will a better comparison. I like both SWB on the Isuzu and Monty.