Long before Sport utility vehicle became a household word there was the Trooper, a utilitarian wagon representing Isuzu’s spin on the British built Land Rover, the inspiration for all SUVs. Introduced in 1984, the Trooper, more off roader than on road cruiser, was originally available only with 4 wheel drive, but at least in short wheelbase 2 door and long wheelbase 4 door guise. As SUV popularity grew, 2 and 4wd variants were introduced in 2000. Today’s Trooper, spends its final year as a reasonably sporty, 5 passenger people hauler that’s well equipped, well built and available in S, LS, and Limited trim levels. Its successor, the Ascender, makes its debut in 2003. Like all Isuzu SUVs, the Trooper is based around a box section, ladder type frame supported by independent front and multilink live axle rear suspension with 7.5.in of travel important in a vehicle that goes off road. Speed sensitive power assisted steering and 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS round out the chassis. An aluminium 3.5 liter dohc 24 valve V6 developing 215 bhp and 230 lb-ft of torque powers the Trooper.
Although a 5 speed manual gearbox is standard on the base model 4×4, a 4 speed automatic that’s optional on the base model is standard on the LS and Limited. Borg Warner’s patented Torque On Demand system (available only with 4wd) uses an electronic control unit, numerous axle speed and throttle position sensors as well as brake and ABS data to apportion torque (split rightly 50/50 front to rear).
