Since I got my old Trooper back from my grandparents, I've started tinkering around. My plans are to make this into an expedition type rig that will take on the likes of Moab and the 'Con as well as various other Kali trails that I might find myself on.

I picked up the Trooper in MN at Christmas and drove it back to Central Kali. While there, I hooked up to an M416 I acquired and drug it across 6 states.













Once we got back, we sold the motor boat and picked up a couple of fishing kayaks. The idea is to reserve the top of the vehicle for the boats.



The first things I wanted rid of after driving from MN to CA were the steering wheel and the underperforming factory seats. I have long legs, and the lack of thigh support (even when lifted all the way up) was insufficient. My legs would also hit the steering wheel when I did get comfortable, so I opted for a bit better set up. While searching POR, I found a guy in San Jose who was selling some new, still in the shipping box, Hunsaker seats for a song, so I jumped on them. I had some custom brackets bent up, drilled them to use the factory sliders, and bolted the seat in. Coupled with the Grant 13" steering wheel, it feels like a completely different rig!







[img]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WeE7VTaPk5Y/S7lLSMYlYaI/AAAAAAAABTM/PrU7D5mWLvU/s912/DSCF0784.JPG[/img]

[img]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WeE7VTaPk5Y/S7lLTY23nBI/AAAAAAAABTU/m3DUvLE_pt8/s912/DSCF0786.JPG[/img]

I've acquired a Dana 44, ARB air locker and compressor for it. I also have a York compressor I want to make a bracket for so I can run OBA. I'll be putting a sleeping platform in the rear to fit an air mattress so I'll save my back from sleeping on the dirt!

To finish up the first post on this rig, here are a couple exterior shots as she sits now.

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[img]http://lh3.ggpht.com/_WeE7VTaPk5Y/S7lLag6vIvI/AAAAAAAABTc/6Vhmg_GdN6Y/s912/DSCF0787.JPG[/img]

[img]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_WeE7VTaPk5Y/S7lLbpg-AhI/AAAAAAAABTk/-JatPS9nVwI/s912/DSCF0788.JPG[/img]

Very nice, I might be driving a 1st gen if I had done that.

Looks like a "newer" first gen, so you have the 10-bolt/12-bolt axle combo, which lends well to a build.

Good luck with the rust... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, the rust scares me a little. It was up there for 5 years but only on the road for about 3 of those. I rebuilt the 2.6 when I was in OR (2004). They came and got it and took it on a few cross country trips, and used it for boat pulling duty while I was overseas. It sat on jack stands, to keep the tires round, under a cover the rest of the time.

The looking around I've done doesn't reveal any body/tub rust that wasn't already there when I had it before, but the frame is another story. I've thought about ditching this rig for a blown 2.8 frame and chassis, but it's got sentimental value so I'm sure I'll keep it, as silly as that sounds...

Anyway, I'm patiently waiting for Matt to get back from the Easter Jeep Safari so he can make good on his promise to build me a ready-to-assemble SAS kit for the D44. I hope to have the swap done before summer so I can take the rig down to San Diego and do a little wheeling. We'll see...

Looks like you have a project ahead of you with the dana 44 and arb. Lots of fun though.