1998 Isuzu Trooper 5 Doors 3.1L TDI 5MT AWD (126 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After seven years on the market, the second generation of the Isuzu Trooper got a well-deserved facelift that improved the vehicle in key areas, including the look and the engines of the vehicle.

By 1998, Isuzu was already known for its reliable, trustworthy off-road vehicles. The Trooper was considered a significant competitor against other Japanese brands, such as Toyota and Nissan. On the North American market, on the other hand, it had to stand against Jeep, Ford, and Chevrolet. The latter was also a partner since GM owned over 30 percent of Isuzu’s stakes. To prove its value, Isuzu won the Marathon Class in the famous Paris Dakar Rally, a category where no mechanics were allowed to work on the car during the entire event. Customers were delighted, and sales were growing. Isuzu made the second generation of the Trooper in two main versions, with a short or a long wheelbase. The former had three doors, while the latter had five if we count the double rear doors as one.

Along with the upgraded version of the Trooper, Isuzu introduced a new front fascia for the car. It featured more rounded edges for the headlights and the corner-mounted blinkers. In the middle, the automaker placed a trapezoidal-shaped redesigned grille where the brand’s badge took center stage on a body-colored slat with two additional chromed horizontal bars. On the lower side of the bumper, the automaker installed a second air intake under the license plate, which was flanked by a pair of scoops for the available fog lamps.

From its profile, the car’s front end was bulky and tall but with rounded edges. Its steep windshield and horizontal roofline created an image of a rough vehicle. Furthermore, the wheel arches could be fitted with black trims. To make things easier for its customers, Isuzu installed grab handles for the doors, with unpainted black door handles. These could be easily operated with gloved hands, which was appreciated by those who were driving the 1998 Isuzu Trooper on difficult terrains.

Inside, customers found a spacious cabin thanks to the almost vertical side windows and long wheelbase. At the front, the automaker installed a pair of bucket seats separated by a center console that housed the gear stick and the lever for the transfer box. The steering wheel framed an instrument cluster featuring large dials for the speedometer and tachometer, plus additional gauges for the fuel level and the coolant temperature. Atop the center stack, the 1998 Isuzu Trooper long wheelbase featured three center vents, unlike two like most other brands. Thanks to the rear doors, access for the rear passengers was easy on the split-folding (60/40) bench seat.

The Japanese automaker also made some changes to the drivetrain and the chassis of the 1998 Isuzu Trooper five-door. Besides the revised suspension, thicker anti-roll bar, and new dampers, the engine lineup was upgraded. A 3.5-liter V6 powerhouse with quad overhead cams became available for most countries, while a fresh inline-four turbodiesel powerplant became available for specific markets. Transmission was ensured via a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. For off-road duties, the two-speed transfer box was standard.