I picked a 97 just because itÆs the newest of the Troopers with the standard 12-bolt rear axle.

I think I reached the limit on my 2000 Trooper as far upgrades I can do to it without requiring major work.

Here is a list of things I found out about the 98 and newer Troopers:

• Modified rear axles, beefier but no choices in gears.
• As per ARB, 98 and on Troopers with rear LSDs donÆt have a locker available. (You could always look for a non-LSD third from a 98 Trooper, although I have heard that they are hard to come by)
• No lower gears for TOD transfer cases.

So my next upgrade will be swapping the rear axle with a 97 Trooper axle. Will give me more gear choices and the availability of an ARB locker.

I was planning on replacing the TOD transfer case with a 98 Trooper non-TOD transfer case, but when I was comparing the design of the transfer cases, the hole locations donÆt look like they will line up!
Non-Tod


Tod:


In the case of the 97 Trooper, you will have none of the issues listed above and still have a fairly new Trooper.