My New Trooper

[preacherman]

So I picked up this trooper last week and I figured it was time to start a thread about it.

I got it to replace my 2K Expo rig build.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25591&highlight=preacherman
The build was good but I never could get to a point that I trusted it to drive long distances into remote areas.

Enough with the ******** chat let get to some pics.

How it looked when I got it back home

The front ARB, warn winch and pro-comp 130w lights

The 5 new BFG MT's in a 255/75/16 with Aisin locking hubs

The rock sliders

Custom rear bumper with 2 hitches. One to tow, one for a bike rack

The rear cargo area. The tools box and cargo platform can all be removed.

 

[preacherman]

When the seats are folded down it makes a sleeping platform.

And this is cool...It came with window nets so you can roll down the windows and keep the bugs out.

And because I know you are going to ask...here is the info on the window nets

The inside, with XM, CB, and MP3, IPOD, CD stereo already installed.

Indy heavy duty tie rods with Rancho 9000 shocks all around

And now for the things you cannot see.
It also has the factory LSD in the rear and a locker in the front
2 inch OME lift
A new Optima Red top battery
only 129K miles
a new clutch
A yak rack
Firestick CB antenna mounted to the ARB
rear sway bar disconnects
Terra low 4:1 transfer case gears
1 inch body lift
custom exhaust, I am not sure what but it sounds sweeeeeeet
all the FACTORY service manuals
A ton of spare parts (extra tie rods, new u-joints, new belts, extra ball joints etc)
And lots of receipts for work and parts

I would say quite a find wouldn't you?:victory:

 

[preacherman]

Future plans include:
Not much actually it has most everything.
-I am going to do some RT maintenance, belts, hoses, fuel filter etc...
-I will most likely re-wire the front driving and spot lights. They were wired correctly (with relays) but some of the wires are old and corroded and could use to be re-routed. I would rather re-wire it to be safe than have it catch on fire.
-It needs 2 more 12v outlets up front and 1 in the rear so I think I will wire an aux fuse box in to handle those duties.
-I may get the windows tented, it gets hot out here in the desert
-Play with my roof rack options and see how it looks/handles with my RTT on top. It came with the roof rack brackets I just need to see how it all works together
-Most likely change the CB to my Cobra with a front mounted speaker.

 

[upcruiser]

Wow, what a great purchase. I really loved that Trooper when i saw it in the classifieds. Looks incredible. What are your driving impressions of it so far? Also, how much length is there from the back of the front seats to the back door with the 2nd row folded down? I've always wondered, can a 6 footer stretch out in it? Congrats, looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[78Bronco]

I really like that trooper! Nice!

The Tie Rods don't look heavy duty though...they look like mild steel hex bar to me which could have a thin wall thickness where it is threaded. Just saying.

Nice truck though!!! Nice with the 5spd!

 

[OneTime]

How does it compare with to your old Montero?

 

[alexrex20]

good looking truck! i always love seeing one done up like this.

the front locker is aftermarket, correct? i always wondered why people did a front locker (instead of rear) on IFS trucks.

 

[datrupr]

Great Trooper. Good find. I think you will be as happy with this as you were with your Montero. The Trooper's are great trucks and very capable. Nice find with the 5-speed too. Keep us posted.

 

[preacherman]

Thanks everyone. So far I am really happy with it. The 5 speed seems to help it be more drivable. I think it would be sluggish in the auto. It drove back really nice. I put 700 miles on it on the drive back and had 0 problems. I even got 15.7 mpg according to the GPS. It tracks nice and goes down the road smooth with surprisingly little tire noise.

Let me see if I can answer some of your questions.
- The locker in the front is aftermarket and I agree make a lot of sense. The tie rods are actually quite a bit bigger than stock and are from independant4x4. Evidently when you put a locker in the front of an IFS truck the tie rods are the first to go. So it has these heavy duty ones and a set of spares for the tool box.
-When the seats are folded down they have lots of room but I bet a 6 foot guy would have to lay at a slight angle and would not fit straight up. I will measure and see.
-It actually is quite comparable to the montero in many ways. The biggest diff is that my monty had the DOHC 3.5 and this has the SOHC 3.2 so it does not feel quite as powerful but has much more power than I expected. For some reason I am a sucker for boxy 4x4's so that is good. I also like the aftermarket support for the Trooper vs the monty.

 

[4Rescue]

A 5spd??? HOLY!!! She's a beaut!!!, I love it, that is one nice truck you've got there Preacherman, definatly a FINE truck. And yeah, a 5spd can wake even the lowliest little motor up in a hurry. I shudder to think what my 22RE would feel like with a slush-box behind it. uooohh YUK. I hate Auto's to say the least

Cheers

Dave

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Very nice! My dad loves troopers and would like that one a lot.

 

[philndz]

Wow! Built, and built right!:drool:

 

[CYi5]

Nice trooper! That was a great deal I saw in the for sale section. The Windowsox are a nice bonus, they're not easy to get in the states. I picked mine up when I was in Australia.

 

[journey]

What a great deal. I am green with envy. Congratulations. I am going to be needing to see some photos of it getting dirty for inspiration.

 

[Funrover]

Nice rig!