man this thread turned out to be a can-o-worms <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" /> I could go into "why I'm selling my Jeep to fund my Trooper SAS", but that could get messy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

Well to spill more worms <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.
There comes a time in a wheelers life that the question of why?Comes to light.
If you look at the folks' that have taken their rig to "The next level" You'll find they all have a common denominator......to be able to wheel where they
want to!!!
Is a jeep still a jeep if it has a SBC/TH350/Atlas/D60 F/RR??
sure it is <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> to the owner.
Is a Trooper still a Trooper if it has a SBC/Th400/NP203/NP205 and Rockwells??????Heck yeh <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />
It's about what you love.
If you Love (insert girley icon) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />your Trooper and feel/want to take it to Your next level than as the other great folk's have said....... Why Not?

I personally love {insert same(lookin' over shoulder)icon as above <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />)my 1st gen Trooper,the look is what I feel
......ugh..well....looks right <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

OOpppss. Rant off <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

Bansil

Point taken. I definitely won't be buying a Jeep. If I were to go non-Trooper, it'd probaby be a Dodge Ramcharger. I'd get rid of the V8 and drop in a built 225.

It is unlikely that my off-road needs will take me beyond the capabilities of the Isuzu IFS anytime soon. It's just that so much talk here is dedicated to SAS projects that I thought I'd ask the obvious...

I am hoping to get a nearly free project rig and it's going to need a lot of work just to get it moving. I'd like to drop a 223T into it if I can find one with trans (wish for 6-speed) and t-case intact. The engine compartment is empty right now, so I'll be dropping something in there in any case. The Trooper was a 4-cyl in its previous life, so I'll probably keep it a 4-cyl just out of convenience.

I'm not on a big budget. I've got a practically new 5x8 cargo trailer I hope to sell for about $1700 and am hoping that it's enough to get the truck running. Once it runs I've got a 1991 Geo Metro I'll sell for maybe $13-1400 that I can spend on tires & mods.

If the Trooper in question doesn't have LSD, a rear locker or LSD axle swap would be item #1 on my list of mods. If it does have LSD, it's probably a winch followed by rock sliders--maybe with a 2" body lift. I'd be happy with 31s and certainly not interested in anything larger than 33s at this point. A front locker sure would be nice...

Some of the custom bumpers I see pics of here and there are awesome, but that'd be a low priority project for me.

Thanks for the input, folks.

I highly recommend an OME lift. You would be surprised what a modest 1.5" lift and 265/75 tires can do for you. That and the sliders and you are on your way...

My reason.
I bought this for my wife to haul the kids and get groceries because she hated my slammed jetta.


I wheeled it a bit and fell in love with wheeling(again) so a few mods were in order...

Really it was 3 1/2 yrs of upgrading and modding as my skills and boldness grew, and my desire to get more extreme.
I'm sure I could have built a SFA Toy 2 times over with what I've spent, but when I'm on a trail with 5 toys, 3 Zuk's, and a few heeps, I know I'm not going to get in the wrong rig by accident <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Now the question is, is my rig still a Zu? all thats left is frame, whats left of the body(soon to be gone) and rear axle... I've got a few Jeep parts, a smattering of chev, a bit o ford.
My feelings are, I dont really care if its a Zu. It looks cool, but I built what I had to suit my needs and thats it. If you can find one cheap, and like the look, do it. If you like the look of an XJ, get one of those, etc.