Isuzu Trooper First Generation 1981–1991
| Isuzu Bighorn/Trooper | |
|---|---|
Second generation Isuzu Trooper (United States)
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Isuzu |
| Production | 1981–2002 |
| Assembly | Fujisawa Plant, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive / four-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Isuzu Ascender Isuzu Axiom Chevrolet/Holden Captiva Subaru Forester Holden Colorado 7 (Australia) |
The Isuzu Bighorn is a mid-size SUV that was produced by the Japanese automaker Isuzu between 1981 and 2002 and exported internationally as the Isuzu Trooper, Isuzu Trooper II, Caribe 442, Acura SLX, Chevrolet Trooper, Subaru Bighorn, SsangYong Korando Family, Honda Horizon, Opel Monterey, Vauxhall Monterey, Holden Jackaroo, Holden Monterey and HSV Jackaroo.
In total, there were two generations of this vehicle: the first, produced between 1981 and 1991; and the second (UBS) produced between 1991 and 2002, with a substantial refresh in 1998. Production ended in 2002.
The Bighorn began as a rather basic and somewhat underpowered on- and off-road vehicle, offered only with four-cylinder motor, four-speed manual transmission, and part-time four-wheel drive. The first generation evolved to add both amenities and luxuries, including optional air-conditioning, power windows, and a more powerful V6 engine. The second generation was even more refined and available in two-wheel drive as well as four-wheel drive.
First generation (1981–1991)
| First generation | |
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| Overview | |
| Also called |
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| Production | 1981–1991 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door SUV 5-door SUV |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.9 L G200Z I4 (UBS13) 2.3 L 4ZD1 I4 (UBS16) 2.6 L 4ZE1 I4 (UBS17) 2.2 L C223 diesel/turbodiesel I4 (UBS52) 2.8 L 4JB1 diesel I4 2.8 L 4JB1-T turbodiesel I4 2.0 L G200 I4 (UBS13) 2.8 L LH7 V6 2.8 L LL2 V6 |
| Transmission | 4-speed Isuzu MSG manual 5-speed Isuzu MSG manual 5-speed Isuzu MUA5C manual 4-speed Aisin Warner automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3-door: 90.6 in (2,301 mm) 5-door: 104.3 in (2,649 mm) |
| Length | 3-door: 162.3 in (4,122 mm) 5-door: 176.0 in (4,470 mm) |
| Width | 65.0 in (1,651 mm) |
| Height | 3-door: 72.6 in (1,844 mm) 5-door: 71.7 in (1,821 mm) |
The first-generation Bighorn was available as a three- or five-door wagon with independent front suspension. In the Japanese market, the car was originally introduced as the "Isuzu Rodeo Bighorn", but the "Rodeo" part of the name was soon dropped. Early engines included a 1.9-liter gasoline and a 73 PS (54 kW) 2.2-liter diesel, lightly powered even by early 1980s standards for the vehicle's 3,700 lb (1,680 kg) empty weight. The four-wheel-drive system was engaged by operating a three-position shifter adjacent to the transmission shifter. Both Aisin manual-locking and Isuzu's own auto-locking hubs were employed.
In 1986, Isuzu introduced the 4ZD1 four-cylinder 112 PS (82 kW; 110 hp) 2.3-liter petrol engine. Apart from higher power, changes to the previous engine included a Kevlar timing belt replacing the previous chain, and a larger two-barrel carburetor. This engine eventually proved somewhat problematic with a high incidence of burned valves due to poor coolant flow design of the overhead cam/valve head with mechanical lifters.[citation needed] A later head casting improvement by an Italian firm corrected this problem through improved coolant flow. Also available only for 1986 in the US was the 87 PS (64 kW) 2.2-liter C223T turbocharged diesel engine, using a Garrett turbocharger. It was not a popular option because of the low power generated, and furthermore is notorious for a weak bottom end, the connecting rods not originally designed for the increased thermal and mechanical stress of forced induction. Because of those problems, Isuzu changed the 4ZE1 for 1988 and used the standard 2.8-liter GM V6 for 1989 until their own new V6 engines could be manufactured.
In 1987, the rectangular headlights were introduced. For 1988, Isuzu introduced a 120 hp (89 kW) 2.6-liter (4ZE1) I-TEC fuel-injected engine for the US market. In 1989, an optional General Motors 2.8-liter pushrod V6 borrowed from the Chevrolet S-10 pickup was also available. Later first-generation models offered an optional four-speed automatic transmission. Models from 1988 to 1991 were equipped with live rear axles and four-wheel disc brakes.
Overseas model engines included the Isuzu C223 (2238 cc), C223T (a turbocharged version of the same) and in the late 80s naturally aspirated and turbocharged 2.8-liter 4JB1 diesel versions, all straight-four engines. The turbocharged 2.8-liter originally produced 95 PS (70 kW), not much more than the 87 PS (64 kW) of the considerably smaller C223T due to new stricter emissions standards. Later versions with intercoolers fitted offered as much as 115 PS (85 kW).
In 1989 only, a short-wheelbase (90-inch) Isuzu Trooper was imported to the US market as the Trooper. All of these short wheelbase Troopers were equipped with 2.6-liter fuel-injected inline-four engines, 4.77:1 differential gears and 15×7-inch aluminium alloy "snowflake" pattern wheels. Automatic and manual transmissions were offered.
In Central America, Troopers were offered with removable roofs and a higher wheel clearance. Powertrain options included the Isuzu 2.8-liter turbo diesel.
The Trooper was also sold in Australia and New Zealand as the Holden Jackaroo, named after an Australian slang term for a young man working on a sheep or cattle station. The standard Trooper was also sold under the Isuzu nameplate in New Zealand only. In Indonesia, where it was locally assembled by Garmak Motors, it was sold as the Chevrolet Trooper. Around 1987 a two-wheel-drive version called the Chevrolet Stallion was developed there; it has the Trooper's body on the chassis of a rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet LUV. It also has a rigid front axle instead of the Trooper's independent design. There was also a locally developed SUV model of the Isuzu Pickups built in the early 1980s called the Holden Lincah and Holden Raider. While similar to a Trooper in many ways it was a simpler vehicle and has bodywork partially made of fibreglass.
In 1988 SsangYong Motors started licensed production of the Isuzu Trooper and sold it as the Korando Family. It was only marketed in South Korea, Scandinavia, Southeast Asia and to a lesser degree South America. It used the same 2.2-liter diesel engine but later versions used both the 2.3-liter Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel engine and the natural aspirated Peugeot 2.5-liter diesel engine.