Trooper, what to look for?

[saveitforsunrise]

Ok guys, well getting out of the fullsize tahoe, i need gas milage, looking at a 87 trooper, 4cly 4x4 5 speed, what should i look for as for problems? Hes asking 1200 if thats any indication of shape

 

[Bennyhana]

Depending on the build date it may be a carb'd 2.3. 87 was considered a transition year so you may end up with a mismatch of parts. The 86 and early 87s will have the 8 bolt front diff. 88+ will have a 10 bolt front and 12 bolt rear diff. Body wise they are all pretty the same.

 

[BigSwede]

Yeah, if you wish to build it at all, the 10/12 axle combo has options, the 8-bolt does not. BTW the bolt count refers to the bolts on the ring gear, NOT the external bolts on the third member.

 

[endo]

To echo what others have said. Get a late 87 or an 88 avoid the early trucks not much in the way of support. But axle swaps are straight forward if you do find a round headlight 2 door. Rust, watch out for it. Spring perches, torsion bar mounts, rear frame sections. Other than that, head gaskets. Make sure the right fluids are in the right places and drive it. They can be fun. Call Matt at independent4x he can get you all of the parts you need.

 

[ruffshod67]

I have no help to offer just a story.I traded $200 worth of horse shoeing for a 86 trooper that had over heated and been parked about 2 years.I replaced the battery and took out the thermostat.It still ran pegged on hot.I ran it that way for 24,000 miles then the motor finally let go rather dramaticly.

 

[84F150]

I would say frame rust out the back but it looks like you're in GA so I'm guessing there won't be much.

The 2.6 4cyl are known to have head/head gasket issues, not sure about the 2.3 4cyls.