yup...a good amount of power can be unlocked from the 2.6. It's just a matter of time & money.
Even with the few performance mods I've done (exhaust and electric fan), there's been a *noticable* improvement in power and I think it has plenty to suit a prerunner's needs (as does a stock 2.6, IMHO) in gears 1-3. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
It's the 55 to 80 mph acceleration that I'd like to improve. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Yep, that Gemini is the one I was thinking of. Lots of info on what you can do if you have the money. Now the questions becomes, how to keep the transmission form exploding.....That is the problem this guy keeps having.

I don't know where I got this, but I *believe* the MUA-5 is good for up to 250 HP and 250 lb. ft.
With numbers like that on a 1G Trooper, now that'd be the ultimate driving machine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I figure if I can do most of it over the next year without spending more than $2000 on things other than scrounged, it's doable. Heck, that's only 20 midrange little tabletop "zen relaxation" fountains for yuppies- and I can make around 30 "classy" ones a month working at a very relaxed pace if I do it as a business instead of as an ammo money hobby. Maybe I can budget higher than 2k.

My style is to invest a lot of 'sweat equity' in my projects. For the fabrication, I'd try to learn how to do it myself. Trading labor for learning or for labor back is something I do frequently. Maybe I can get a job at an autobody shop for that part. Same with constructing an interior roll cage, rear ladder, bumpers, etc. I've always wanted to learn to weld...

Thanks for all the insightful posts. I especially liked the links with the souped up 2.6s. Any way I can read the rest of that Hero article on the free?

well my trooper is good at jumping center road dividers....at 60 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> we couldn't realy even feel it. and it was 6" high...my brother was driving. if i were you i would not lift it at all. i would just cut the fenders to clear for tires. maybe some 33x13.5's on 15x10's with
3,5/8" backspacing. it adds alot of width. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Keep it wide, keep it low, and keep it light. fiberglass body stuff, maybe ditch the windows. aluminum wheels and radial tires. don't scrounge on your shocks, they will be key. Beef up your shock mounts too. Some good rear spring packs would be in order. something long and lots of leaves. Alcan and Deaver make pretty good springs I hear.

man if I had the money... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Basically, you need the most up and down travel from your suspension.
In that case, do not do a suspension left.

Run soem Remote resisvoir shocks(longer stroke, adn less fade from heat). Replace your windows(excpet windsheild), with lexan(opr simliar), adn go easy with the roolcage, a 6 point should be more than adequet for that rig, but an 8 would be a little better(not losing back doors).

Again, put you money in shocks and a wheel tire combo, twist it up real good, find where you need to trim, then jump it a few times, adn finish trimming(trust me on that one)..

And get about a 45/55 front to back wieght distribution( you dont wanna nose dive)...

Hope that helps

Chase