Specs, fluids & service · 1991–2002
Isuzu Trooper (second generation) specs, fluids and service intervals
The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.
Spec sheet
| CHASSIS | UBS (UBS25 3.2 V6 · UBS26 3.5 V6 · UBS69 3.1 TD · UBS73 3.0 TD) |
|---|---|
| PRODUCTION | December 1991 – September 2002 (Japan) |
| US MODEL YEARS | 1992–2002 (Acura SLX 1996–1999) |
| ENGINES (US) | 3.2 L 6VD1 SOHC/DOHC V6; 3.5 L 6VE1 DOHC V6 |
| OUTPUT | 175–190 hp (3.2) → 215 hp / 230 lb-ft (3.5) |
| TRANSMISSION | 5-spd manual; 4-spd GM 4L30-E automatic |
| DRIVE | Part-time 4WD → shift-on-the-fly → Torque On Demand (1998+) |
| WHEELBASE | 108.7 in (2,760 mm) 5-door; 2,330 mm 3-door |
| LENGTH | 187.8 in incl. spare (1998 SLX) |
| CURB WEIGHT | 4,315–4,640 lb (1996 SLX); 4,615 lb (1998 SLX) |
| GROUND CLEARANCE | 8.3–8.5 in |
| TOWING | 5,000 lb (braked) |
| FUEL TANK | 22.5 US gal (85 L) |
| WHEEL BOLT PATTERN | 6 x 139.7 mm |
By year
| YEARS | PLATFORM | ENGINE | OUTPUT | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–1995 (US) | UBS25 Trooper S / LS / RS | 6VD1 3.2 L SOHC V6 / 6VD1-W 3.2 L DOHC V6 | 175 hp / 188 lb-ft; DOHC 190 hp / 195 lb-ft | Part-time 4WD with auto hubs. LSD standard on the LS. Three-door RS sold in the US from 1993 to 1995. |
| 1996–1997 (US) | UBS25 Trooper / Acura SLX | 6VD1 3.2 L SOHC V6 (revised) | 190 hp @ 5,600 / 188 lb-ft @ 4,000 | Shift-on-the-fly on some trucks. The 1995–96 Trooper and SLX were rated 'Not Acceptable' by Consumer Reports in 1996. |
| 1998–2002 (US) | UBS26 Trooper / Acura SLX (to 1999) | 6VE1 3.5 L DOHC V6 | 215 hp @ 5,400 / 230 lb-ft @ 3,000 | Facelift, Torque On Demand on some trims, body-color hard spare cover. Watch the oil consumption. |
| 1992–1998 (export) | UBS69 Bighorn / Trooper / Monterey / Jackaroo | 4JG2 3.1 L turbo-diesel I4 | 114 PS / 260 N·m (export); 125 PS in Japan | Five-speed manual and manual hubs on the Jackaroo diesel. |
| 1998–2002+ (export) | UBS73 Bighorn / Trooper / Jackaroo | 4JX1 3.0 L direct-injection turbo-diesel I4 | About 159 PS | Four-speed automatic offered alongside the manual. Sold in the Philippines until 2005. |
| 1992–1999 (Europe) | Opel / Vauxhall Monterey | 3.2 V6 or 3.1 turbo-diesel | 177 bhp (V6) / 114 bhp (diesel) | The Vauxhall was sold in the UK from spring 1994 to the start of 1999. |
Fluids, capacities & service intervals
Baseline everything, and on a 3.5 start by measuring the oil consumption. Acura's factory specifications give the engine-oil and coolant capacities below for the SLX twin. Isuzu's own fluid grades aren't widely published online; the gearbox, transfer-case, axle and steering fluids below come from Liqui Moly's lookup, so confirm viscosities in the owner's manual. Book the timing belt if there's no receipt.
| ITEM | SPEC / CAPACITY | INTERVAL | NOTES & PARTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 3.5: 5.6 US qt (5.3 L) with filter; 3.2: 6.3 US qt (6.0 L) with filter (Acura SLX spec) · 10W-30 recommended by owners for the 3.5 | Then check the level at every fill-up until you know the consumption | Several 3.5s ran dry without the oil light coming on, so don't rely on the warning lamp.Oil filter, 1998 Trooper 3.5 · RockAuto ↗Drain plug gasket · RockAuto ↗ |
| PCV valve | Replace | Now | Edmunds owners say it sits under the plastic intake cover. A blocked one makes oil consumption worse.Engine parts catalog, 1998 Trooper 3.5 · RockAuto ↗ |
| Air & fuel filters | Replace both | Then inspect at every oil change | Air filter · RockAuto ↗Fuel filter · RockAuto ↗ |
| Spark plugs & coil boots | Six plugs; inspect the boots | With the timing belt, or now if there's no record | Oil-fouled plugs are a sign of the 3.5's consumption problem.Spark plugs · RockAuto ↗Spark plug / coil boot · RockAuto ↗ |
| Timing belt, tensioner, idlers & water pump | Full kit | Now if there's no record; owners plan around 75,000–100,000 mi confirm in manual | Both V6s have belt-driven cams.Timing belt and component kit · RockAuto ↗Water pump · RockAuto ↗ |
| Coolant & thermostat | 3.5: 11.0 US qt (10.4 L); 3.2: 9.3 US qt (8.8 L) (Acura SLX spec) | Flush now | A Bob Is The Oil Guy owner warns that these aluminium engines can fail head gaskets when the cooling system is neglected or a non-Isuzu thermostat is fitted.Thermostat · RockAuto ↗Radiator hose · RockAuto ↗ |
| Automatic transmission (4L30-E) | Dexron-III-type ATF (Liqui Moly lists its ATF III) · Liqui Moly gives 8.6 L (9.1 US qt) for the US SLX and 5.5 L (5.8 US qt) for European Troopers, so measure what you drain | Pan drop and filter now, then partial changes | Very sensitive to fill level; fix leaks first. No pressure flush on an unknown-history gearbox.Transmission filter · RockAuto ↗Pan gasket · RockAuto ↗ |
| Transfer case (TOD or part-time) | Part-time and shift-on-the-fly cases: 5W-30 engine oil, ≈1.45 L (1.5 US qt) · Torque On Demand case on the 1998–99 SLX 3.5: 75W-90-type gear oil, ≈1.9 L (2.0 US qt) (Liqui Moly lookup; its European Trooper 3.5 entry lists engine oil and 1.45 L, so check what's in yours) | Drain and refill now | Metal in the fluid is a warning sign; one 1999 owner's transfer case was replaced for filings at 25,000 miles.Transfer case fluid · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front & rear differentials | GL-5 hypoid gear oil (Liqui Moly lists 75W-90 to 85W-90 grades) · ≈1.4–1.5 L (1.5–1.6 US qt) front, ≈1.8 L (1.9 US qt) rear · a limited-slip rear takes LSD-rated (LS) oil, which already contains the friction modifier (Liqui Moly lookup) | Drain and refill now | Bob Is The Oil Guy owners describe the rear axle as robust and close to a Dana 44 in design.Gear oil · RockAuto ↗Gear oil additive · RockAuto ↗ |
| Power steering fluid | Dexron-III-type ATF (Liqui Moly lookup) | Flush now | Recirculating-ball steering box; check for play.Power steering fluid · RockAuto ↗ |
| Brake fluid | Flush; four-wheel discs with ABS | Every two years | Brake fluid · RockAuto ↗Brake pads · RockAuto ↗ |
| U-joints & driveshafts | Grease and check for play | At every oil change | Universal joint · RockAuto ↗ |
| Front-end wear parts | Ball joints, tie-rod ends, idler arm, sway-bar bushings | Inspect now | Worn sway-bar bushings make a tall truck feel even tippier; owners often fit polyurethane ones.Ball joint · RockAuto ↗Tie rod end · RockAuto ↗Sway bar bushing · RockAuto ↗ |
Capability
| Towing | 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) Braked trailer; Isuzu 1992 brochure and Acura 1998 SLX specs |
|---|---|
| Payload | 895 lb (406 kg) 1998 Acura SLX, gross payload; GVWR 5,510 lb |
| Fuel tank | 22.5 US gal (85 L) Acura SLX |
| Ground clearance | 8.3 in (210 mm) at the rear axle 1998 SLX; 8.5 in (215 mm) at the differential quoted for 1996 |
| Wheel travel | 7.5 in front and rear Acura SLX specs |
| Fuel economy | 15 city / 18 hwy (1996 3.2); 15 / 19 (1998 3.5) Factory estimates, Acura SLX |
| Curb weight | 4,315–4,640 lb (1996 SLX); 4,615 lb (1998 SLX) |
| Turning circle | 38.1 ft (11.6 m) curb to curb Acura SLX |
| Cargo volume | 90.2 cu ft with the rear seat folded Acura SLX; Isuzu's 1992 brochure quotes 90 cu ft |
| Climbing ability | Up to 39° Isuzu 1992 brochure claim |
Wheels & tires
| Factory tire | P245/70R16 on 16 x 7 alloys (1996–98 Acura SLX) · 235/75R15 on 15 x 6 wheels (1998 Trooper S, per ThreePiece.us) · OEM sizes listed for 1998 include 225/75R16 and 245/70R16 |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | 6x139.7 (6x5.5") |
| Center bore | 100 mm |
| Lug thread | M12x1.5 |
| Biggest tire · Stock | 285/75R16 (about 33 in) |
Open the Isuzu Trooper (second generation) in the tire fitment tool →
Common Isuzu Trooper (second generation) repairs
- Manage 3.5 V6 oil consumptionDIFFICULTY 2 / 5 (rebuild 5 / 5)
- Replace the intake plenum and manifold gasketsDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Timing belt and water pumpDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
- Service the 4L30-E automaticDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Fix a flashing TOD lightDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Set ride height at the torsion bars, or fit a mild liftDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Free a seized front-axle actuator or hubDIFFICULTY 2 / 5
- Front CV axles and bootsDIFFICULTY 3 / 5
Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.