1979 Trooper RS 2 door. 2.8 4cyl, 5speed, air condition, everything works. Has severe rust on rain gutters; was planning to cut off top. Interior was rhinolined. Runs good, all complete and in great mechanical condition.
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Oops - it’s a 1989. The winch bumper is not installed. Car is dirty and can be cleaned up
Does it actually have a 2.8 V6 or is that just a typo? All '89 Trooper RS models originally sold in the U.S. had the 2.6 4ZE1 4-banger.
Can anyone save this Trooper? RS models are getting harder to find all the time.
It doesn't look very rusty other than the roof. How's the undercarriage/frame?
Can anyone save this Trooper? RS models are getting harder to find all the time.
It doesn't look very rusty other than the roof. How's the undercarriage/frame?
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You are right, typo. It has the 2.6 4banger. Frame and undercarriage are perfect. It had no rust when I brought it to the beach about 6 years ago and then put my wet surfboard on the roof rack and it basically just ate a roof rack and gutter away. Other than that the car has no real damage or rust anywhere else. There is a little rust below the windshield (cracked) too. 181,000 miles runs great, blows cold and 4x works great. I just need to dump my extra cars…
Hello RStrooperbia, The rust issue is very unfortunate. I load and unload our ocean kayaks…. dripping wet from Dana Point and Newport Harbors. Not any more. I would have never thought twice about the corrosion. You should convert your Trooper to a Safari Wagon. Axe the top, add in a roll cage and canvas bikini top. Eric
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Yes, that is/was the plan unless someone gives me a few grand for it. I already have a few projects. 71 Scout (for sale too), 67 Bronco (hard NO), 64 Falcon, plus a few others…. Transferable Reg in Vermont or can Reg in CA (Non-op)
That's sure some rust, alright. I've been doing repairs on sections of my drip rails myself, Definitely a job you'd need a swaging machine for, if only because of how finely detailed the pieces are.
![Automotive tire Automotive lighting Bumper Rim Automotive exterior]()
This is a cross section of what the drip rail assembly looks like underneath, it's a two piece assembly, the lower portion is a fairly simple bend with a sharp 'kink' on the end, and it's spot welded to the inner roof frame. the upper portion is a very gently curved piece which drops into a swage line, then a simple fold to sit in the 'trough' created by the lower piece(with a little clearance before the kink to allow for seam sealer), which is then spot welded to the lower, as shown here.
![Fluid Automotive lighting Gas Natural material Automotive exterior]()
![Wood Bumper Gas Automotive exterior Metal]()
The lower section also has a little rolled edge on the top, but i omitted that and just smoothed it over with the sealer, doesn't make any noticeable difference at all. I'll be getting rid of that ugly seam on top of the roof, too.
Just thought i might put that out there for anybody looking to get into restoring these things, and to let you all know that repairs of this nature ARE VERY POSSIBLE, and become a lot less daunting once you get over the very confrontational idea of cutting holes in your car.
If you are mechanically inclined, you are already very capable of learning how to do this, all you need is the tools and somebody willing to teach you the skills; I was lucky enough to learn how to do this stuff at this fantastic auto body class i go to, they let you bring in parts, or even the whole damn car if you wanna, and they'll teach you what you need to know to repair them. welding, panel beating, the lot.
I'm hoping america should have something similar - i don't see why it wouldn't, australia is otherwise absolute crap in terms of vocational training, but i digress, I really hope somebody steps up to the plate on this thing, because RS troopers are wicked rare these days, and it'd absolutely suck to see another one go to rust, ESPECIALLY a good runner.
Good luck on the sale, I hope this thing finds a good home.
This is a cross section of what the drip rail assembly looks like underneath, it's a two piece assembly, the lower portion is a fairly simple bend with a sharp 'kink' on the end, and it's spot welded to the inner roof frame. the upper portion is a very gently curved piece which drops into a swage line, then a simple fold to sit in the 'trough' created by the lower piece(with a little clearance before the kink to allow for seam sealer), which is then spot welded to the lower, as shown here.
The lower section also has a little rolled edge on the top, but i omitted that and just smoothed it over with the sealer, doesn't make any noticeable difference at all. I'll be getting rid of that ugly seam on top of the roof, too.
Just thought i might put that out there for anybody looking to get into restoring these things, and to let you all know that repairs of this nature ARE VERY POSSIBLE, and become a lot less daunting once you get over the very confrontational idea of cutting holes in your car.
If you are mechanically inclined, you are already very capable of learning how to do this, all you need is the tools and somebody willing to teach you the skills; I was lucky enough to learn how to do this stuff at this fantastic auto body class i go to, they let you bring in parts, or even the whole damn car if you wanna, and they'll teach you what you need to know to repair them. welding, panel beating, the lot.
I'm hoping america should have something similar - i don't see why it wouldn't, australia is otherwise absolute crap in terms of vocational training, but i digress, I really hope somebody steps up to the plate on this thing, because RS troopers are wicked rare these days, and it'd absolutely suck to see another one go to rust, ESPECIALLY a good runner.
Good luck on the sale, I hope this thing finds a good home.
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WOW! What a great bit of information. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time, tools or desire to start that level of a project. I’d rather sell it as is or cut the top off and make it a safari ride, which may actually add resale value. The truck is great and 4x4s incredibly (much better than a Jeep IMO).
thansk again. PS: yes very sad to see another RS make it to the crusher. I hope that some one wants it… I need to get rid of it along with a 71 Scout.
Thanks again
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