I have an 86 Trooper 2dr and want to start taking it on some backyard trails nothing to extream. I was not lookign at doing a SAS conversion but did want to do a 3inch sus. lift. Any clearence issues possible part failures? I was also going to lock the front and rear but didnt want to spend the money so was just going to weld them, will it work any steering issueshigway issues? any ideas or comment?

at 3" in the front of those old troopers, you are at the absolute max. the cv angles will be horrible and you will need to do a balljoint flip w/ a spacer to get your camber back near normal. you will need some low profie bumpstops too or you will be riding on the stock ones. also w/ 3" in the back your carrier bearing in the rear driveshaft will wear much faster.

if you weld the front and rear it will make steering at slow speeds in 4wd difficult, but probably managable. on the street in 2wd slow speed tight turns will have your rear tires chirping and will wear through them faster, but that's the trade-off for off-road capability.

it sounds like a great setup for a beater but not for a 'comfortable' (subjective, I know) daily driver.

I agree with paul on the lift but don't weld the front or you will open your self up for all kinds of problems. If you weld the front and rear don't expect to be able to drive it in the snow/ice because you'll end up in the ditch.

The tierods will be the weak links. My old 89 Trooper was welded in the back and open in the front and recent reports say it is still on the road as a daily driver down in Texas, on it's second set of tires in just a couple of years.

Oh, BTW, I've got a set of tierods for sale <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The '86 Troopers don't have great axles. If you're planning on wheeling it and don't want to be replacing parts, I'd go no bigger than 31" tires and 1.5" of lift max. Weld the rear if you prefer; but don't weld the front. A welded front will make your 4wd turning radius horrible... and I don't know that the stock front end will take being locked without carnage. Good luck and welcome to the board. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Just a little insight as to why people are giving you the advise they are. The 86 Troopers have the smallest axles that were offered by Isuzu in the US market. The front is only an 8bolt IFS, while the rear is an Isuzu 10bolt. Late 87+ they redesigned the suspension and components of the Trooper to be a 10bolt IFS and a 12 bolt rear. These are much stronger compentents and can handle up to 33" with a lot less trouble.

You still have your weak points, like your Tie-rods, however from the sound of what you want, I think you would be fine with the suggested 1.5" lift and 31's. If you really want to go bigger, your probably better off finding another Trooper. Be warnedtthe 10/12 bolt combo, short of the RS.

the car is not going to be used as a daily driver since i Ride a motorcycle(better gas milage). I am running 31's and plan on putting in new ball joints, Torsion bars, shock and rear leaf, axles and tie-rods. If I can I may try to make some tie-rods at work, and whatever else I can, after I finish my safari rack. Where is the best place i can find a 1.5 lift? I was going to buy them from Indy 4x4.com. BTW the new ingine and carb will get put in next week am I able to advance the timing for better performance or should I richen the carbs a little.

short of making your own lift go with indy4x

for a 1.5" I would probably just call Indy and have him tell you what pieces. I am guessing that all you need is an add-a-leaf and a slightly longer shackle.