OkàI donÆt want to start anythingàI am looking for honest opinions and advice. I am looking for a 1989 to 1991 trooper for a daily driver. I live and work at the end of a 10 mile dirt road in Southern California. We get snow and rain. I drive into town and to the main office in Orange County 100 miles away. What I am asking for is advice on finding one with a 2.6 4cyl or the 2.8cyl. I am aware of the maintenance issues of both and that the 2.8 is much cheaper and parts are more available. I am looking for the best mileage, good torque and drivability offroad and on road. Your experience and advice are what I am seeking.

Thanks

Russ

Years ago, when I first started visiting the old ITOG board, there was a very strong bias toward the 2.6, but that was before any of us had done the 3.4 conversion.

Truth be told, there is very little difference in the two powerplants in terms of criteria that you stated, i.e.,



The HP and torque numbers are pretty close. Any other criteria that favors one can be offset by a criteria that favors the other.

At this point, assuming that you are going to leave the engine stock, it will come down to the condition of the particular vehicle that you find. I would look for the cleanest, lowest mileage, best-conditioned Trooper that you can find, period.

If I were you, I'dconcentrate on finding a vehicle with a good body and clean carfax. Maintenance records would a huge plus. A single-owner garaged vehicle with a complete maintenance history is nearly priceless.

If you buy a 2.6l vehicle, be sure not to ever overheat it.

Of course, if you could find a diesel Trooper...

I have owned a 2.6 5spd Trooper for 13 years. I've always been convinced that's the best combination. Until a year ago, when I bought a 2.8 5spd Trooper. Now I'm not so sure. Having driven both extensively and compared performance, here's what I find:

Better fuel economy can be realized with the 2.6--22 mpg highway when driven reasonably, the 2.8 has never gotten more than 20; in low speed off-road performance, the 2.8 is preferrable--it will climb my steep driveway at 400 rpm while the 2.6 doesn't like to run that slowly.

If you envision some day wanting enough power to compete in freeway traffic, or to pull a trailer, the 2.8 can be greatly improved by replacement with a 3.4. You'd have to do a lot of tweaking on the 2.6 to get as much power out of it, and then you'd lose some reliability.

As Jim noted, there really isn't much difference between the two engines. If you don't intend to make any modifications, either one is acceptable, with a nod to the 2.6 for better economy.

While the power aspect is pretty much about at a dead heat as far as numbers are concerned, in my experience the 2.6 hits its peak at a lower rpm and seems to have a flatter torque curve than the 2.8. I have a 2.6 right now w/ 35" tires and stock gears and it will get up and go faster than my brother's 2.8 w/ 35" tires and stock gears. But he's still making power at 5000 rpms, and I'm practically redlining there.

its a toss up. get the nicest one you can find <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I have an 89 2.6 auto trooper and a 90 2.8 5spd. trooper.Both have the same mileage on them.The 4-banger has better fuel economy,better acceleration and runs out on the highway better than the 6.The only time the 6 has an advantage is when towing a trailer.We got the V-6 first and thought we would be disapointed with the 4 but it's the prefered truck