You should be able to tell at a glance about the off-road package.

If it's got head light washers, it's got the LSD.

I checked out the '87 Raider after work today...

It's got the off-road package;the gear box and transfer case seemed to be working fine.
Tried 4wd high and low without any issues.
It's a 5 speed manual. The shifting was positive and all gears provided the amount of torque I'd expect from a 2.6L.
The exhaust pipe and muffler were shot, huge holes in the muffler.
Upon starting the rig cold, huge plumes of white smoke came out of the holes in the muffler. I'm thinking valves, but perhaps someone knows the significance of white smoke during the first 5 minutes of starting. The smoke vanished after it warmed up.
The engine was covered in oil, so it was hard to tell where it is leaking from.
The radiator had only sight amounts of calcification inside.
I think there may be at least one air intake leak, because when I sealed off the air intake to the carb., the engine kept running.
The front windscreen also has a crack.
The inside is fairly clean, with a driver's bouncy seat.
I offered the lady $500. She was going to talk it over with her husband and give me a call in the next day or so.

From the information I've provided, would $500 be a decent price?
Thanks for all the info. fellas!

Yes

I wish that I could find a runner locally. However, based upon your descriptions in this thread, should be a reasonable price.

I have an 87 Raider, it's been my nearly daily driver for about 5 years. I've now put 96K on it, with a stick, pulling trailers and other heavy things around, with/without 33" tires. I have not been exactly kind to the Raider.

Russell

Ditto.

John B.

Does anyone know what may be causing the plumes of white smoke coming out of the exhaust for the first five minutes upon a cold start?
I seem to remember something about the valves being the cause...
Thanks!

That's a deal I'd do in a heartbeat.

in a v6 its the valve guide seals and usually not the valves themselves. in the 2.6, i dont think its as common but i guess it could be the same thing... what happens after it simply idles for 3-5 minutes then you rev it?

After the rig is warmed up and then reved or driven, there is no sign of white smoke, however, this took about five or so minutes.

Not regular use after its warmed up, but instead when its warm, just let it sit & idle for 3-5 minutes. this is a key point here. In the v6's after doing this and then revving the engine you get smoke which is caused by oil leaking past the valve guide seals and burning when you rev it.

again i dont recall this being common on the 2.6 but who knows...