4WD Turbo Diesel 2-Door: 1986 Isuzu Trooper DXL
What’s not to love in this next car? It is a rare 2-door SUV from the 80s with a turbo diesel engine, rust, crust, and a toilet paper holder mounted on the side. Or is that a towel rack? Or a wet-suit drying rack for a surfer, perhaps? I’m gonna stick with the TP holder as my final answer, Regis. Find this 1986 Isuzu Trooper DXL 4WD Turbo Diesel 2-Door offered for $6,500 in San Diego, CA via craigslist.
From the seller:
1986 ISUZU TROOPER DXL 4X4
condition: good
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: 4wd
fuel: diesel
odometer: 146000
paint color: white
size: mid-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: SUV
One time opportunity to buy one of the best ever build vehicles, let’s start 146,000 original miles, that means less than 4600 per year or 12 miles per day, 2 doors front and split doors in the rear, 2.2 liter Turbo Diesel engine, Strong, solid body, only 2 rust spots (not critical) manual transmission 5 speed + reverse, 4X4 works perfectly, no mechanical issues, ready either to restore it or drive it, driver seat has a tear o fabric, the rest of seats including back bench folding are in excellent condition, about 30 mpg, economic to ride, less than 100 in the USA, you can find Gas or regular diesel, but not Turbo Diesel, very desirable for off-road, heavy build, insured trough Hagerty Insurance as collectible vehicle, show by appointment, original conditions except for the tires and wheels(wearing 2014 Tacoma wheels with K2 Goodyear 16″ tires with wheel spacers) Please do your homework and research history and reviews about this particular vehicle, PRICE IS FIRM, no TRADES, no CHECKS, no MONEY ORDERS, last vehicle seen on sale was $10,500 dollars, and 12,000 dollars for one with Gas rebuilt engine. You can bring your mechanic for diagnostic. due to the care of vehicle you can go for a ride as a passenger, but not dive it. been said this, even if engine is in perfect condition NO WARRANTY, (that’s why you can bring your mechanic) I don’t know your driving habits.
Rare and cool for sure, but to drive it you have to buy it first. Uh, what?
“146,000 original miles, that means less than 4600 per year or 12 miles per day” Well, when you put it that way, it also means 0.5 miles per hour, which is probably the same as its top speed!
“Strong, solid body, only 2 rust spots” Yes, one is the front half and the other is the back half. The surfboard rack tells the story of much time spent by the ocean, taking on the salt.
The rust at the bottom of the windshield is troubling. I am sure it is “surface rust”.
All you can see is surface rust.
Under the surface rust is hidden rust. Under the hidden rust is the worst kind of rust of all; “air rust”.
Air rust is the what kills. The propensity of hidden rust to spontaneously become air rust is the problem.
I have a 1995 T100 with lots of that air rust. It’s a problem.