Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Light Overland Vehicle Tech
Isuzu Trooper Isuzu Trooper
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Light Overland Vehicle Tech Tech issues, tips and hints, prepping for travel
Under 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Subaru etc.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Feb 2009
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southport
Posts: 33
Isuzu Trooper
Hi All,

I'm thinking about driving my girlfriend back home to Australia in our Isuzu Trooper next year.

The Trooper doesnt get much of a mention when it comes to the subject of Overlanding, but could it make the journey as well as a Land Rover or LandCruiser?

Its a 1995 3.1TD - 60,000 miles and has led a sheltered life so far in Japan (its actually a Bighorn but we like to keep that quiet in polite company).

The Isuzu engine is thirsty, but I've heard its easy to fix and has Japanese reliability, would we be OK for parts etc.?

I've tried to research kitting out the Trooper (extra fuel tank, roof rack, etc) but it doesnt appear to be as well catered for as LR's or LC's and it feels that you have to look much harder to try and find various items.

Would it be silly to go with our Trooper, should we be looking for a LC / LR instead?
__________________
Rich & Zowi
http://www.zo2oz.com
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Once you get out of Europe the Isuzu brand becomes more common, they have a lot of badge engineering deals with local companies, so often you will see an Isuzu lookalike with (eg; in Australia) a Holden badge and another name - Jackaroo. I'd expect that Australia has more aftermarket items for the Troopers than most countries - have a look at ARB - they maybe able to help with special orders into the UK for things like winch bars, full length roof racks, storage systems.

Parts support is fair, but like anything Japanese thats not a current model parts tend to get rare and expensive.

The Trooper is not a hardcore offroad vehicle, its a muddy road 4x4, often called a "softroader". The front ends were/are notorious for being soft and running out of toe in adjustment if driven on "bad" (corrugated, potholed) roads.

You need to do some serious research about bringing any vehicle into Australia as its not as easy as driving across to France. There are plenty of threads on the Australia New Zealand forum about private imports/carnets etc.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Feb 2009
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southport
Posts: 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by RogerM View Post
The front ends were/are notorious for being soft and running out of toe in adjustment if driven on "bad" (corrugated, potholed) roads.
Can you let me know in simple terms or point me in the right direction to find out a bit more about this, I'm not quite sure what you mean.
__________________
Rich & Zowi
http://www.zo2oz.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
We used to have trouble with the Jackaroos steering continually going out of alignment, the front end would gradually spread outwards - ie tyres pointing outwards on either side. It was not a problem on all vehicles - just the ones that got driven hard on bad dirt roads - deep potholes, badly corrugated. The ones that operated on bitumen never missed a beat.

I'm not sure if the 95 model Trooper had that problem fixed.

In Europe you dont get many (any?) people driving 50,000kms a year on dirt roads - so it may have been a problem specific to some Australian rural usage.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Feb 2009
Gold Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southport
Posts: 33
Hi Roger, thanks for letting me know, I'm still on a steep learning curve!

I've had a look on the Trooper Forum over here (itocuk) - are there any good forums over in Oz for the Jackaroo and Overlanding in general?

Thanks again.
__________________
Rich & Zowi
http://www.zo2oz.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Try using Google and limit your searches to Australia.

I'm not aware of any specific Jackaroo forums, USENET has a aus.cars.offroad which is a general forum, but not used much.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Trooper John... U out there? omhughes Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 13 Oct 2007 18:03
isuzu 2.8 4JB1 engine experiences jasper110 Equipping the Overland Vehicle 2 7 Jun 2007 15:48
isuzu trooper? rb Equipping the Overland Vehicle 9 11 Jan 2005 20:30
isuzu trooper? rb Equipping the Overland Vehicle 0 7 Dec 2002 16:06
Isuzu or Mazda engine in Landrover Roman North Africa 33 8 Feb 2002 14:43

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:19.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top