I've posted a couple of pics using imageshack.us. Hopefully in the coming months I will be able to post updated pics as I make improvements.
This adventure all started in January 2013 when my Subaru Outback went to the big car lot in the sky and I was left without wheels. My son called me and told me to check out a listing on Craigslist of a 1988 Trooper II almost identical to his. I pulled up the listing and immediately called the seller. The asking price was $800.00. The truck belonged to his deceased sister and he was trying to liquidate her assets to settle the estate so he could get back to his life in Massachusetts. So as not to miss out on the deal of the century, I loaded up the kids and the mother-in-law and headed out at the beginning of what became the largest snow storm this winter. We drove and hour out into the country and I knew at first glance I had to have this vehicle. We made the deal and drove to the DMV 20 miles further to have the title transferred only to find that they had closed 30 minutes earlier due to the weather. So, we met the next day at a more central location and took care of the necessary paperwork.
When I left the initial DMV attempt, we were consumed in an all-out winter storm with heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet, and anything imaginable. I shifted into 4WD and proceeded down the highway passing semis like they were standing still, 2WD vehicles in the ditch, and all forms of jealous folks that didn't have the machine I had. I was in love with my new rig. Back in town, the storm raged and I proceeded to climb the mountain upon which I live. This was my first indication that there was something amiss with the 4WD. As my post about 4WD addresses, I discovered that the c-clips on both front cv axles had come off and determined that I never had the 4WD engaged. That was a butt puckering revelation. It has since been fixed and, true to form, the thing will climb a tree.
The first issue I had to address when I picked up the Trooper, was the fact that the heater blower would not function. I started her up and immediately looked under the dash to discover a toggle switch. Turned it on and voila! forced air heat. Had I not discovered this, there would have been no way to drive it considering the weather conditions. I also started a thread about that problem which came to a rather pleasant ending when I swapped the plugs on the back of the control unit and restored operation to its intended switch. The original problem, turns out, was a broken solder connection in the resistor pack which I repaired. The previous "technician" obviously didn't have access to this forum and gave up, resorting to the toggle switch and high only blower function.
The exhaust system was shot. So I took it to a guy I've used for many years and he put a whole new system under her (from the cat back) for $240.00.
I purchased a set of 31's from a friend and had them swapped to my rims. Mud flaps will round out the look and blend in nicely with the running boards.
To date, I have spent about $1500.00 and I have what appears to be a dependable daily driver. There are still some dents and surface rust with which to contend; but those can wait for warmer weather. My son and I beat, pulled, and cussed the tree dent in the rear door. Next step is to pull out the bumper and frame damage. Ordered some parts from thebigbread to fix the license plate light bar (a casualty of the tree or light pole) and the rear door pin switch. My son didn't even know he had a rear dome light until I started poking around on here and discovered mine.
The only thing that doesn't work right now is the rear defogger. I've cleaned the contacts and done all the cursory stuff. I have a feeling it may be related to the impact with a large object so I'll delve into that some more when the weather breaks. I can live without it for now.
Future plans include urethane bushing on the shackles and springs, a set of decent shocks, tune-up, and customizing the interior. I have already cut out red oak panels for the rear doors and cargo area. I wasn't happy enough with their outcome to use them on the front doors so I'm still mulling that over. I'll post pics as that project progresses. Every time I go poking around on here, I get more ideas. I'm not going for the rock climbing rig but it would be nice to turn a few appreciative heads now and then.
I'll keep ya'll posted. Thanks again to past and future input.
Tim
This adventure all started in January 2013 when my Subaru Outback went to the big car lot in the sky and I was left without wheels. My son called me and told me to check out a listing on Craigslist of a 1988 Trooper II almost identical to his. I pulled up the listing and immediately called the seller. The asking price was $800.00. The truck belonged to his deceased sister and he was trying to liquidate her assets to settle the estate so he could get back to his life in Massachusetts. So as not to miss out on the deal of the century, I loaded up the kids and the mother-in-law and headed out at the beginning of what became the largest snow storm this winter. We drove and hour out into the country and I knew at first glance I had to have this vehicle. We made the deal and drove to the DMV 20 miles further to have the title transferred only to find that they had closed 30 minutes earlier due to the weather. So, we met the next day at a more central location and took care of the necessary paperwork.
When I left the initial DMV attempt, we were consumed in an all-out winter storm with heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet, and anything imaginable. I shifted into 4WD and proceeded down the highway passing semis like they were standing still, 2WD vehicles in the ditch, and all forms of jealous folks that didn't have the machine I had. I was in love with my new rig. Back in town, the storm raged and I proceeded to climb the mountain upon which I live. This was my first indication that there was something amiss with the 4WD. As my post about 4WD addresses, I discovered that the c-clips on both front cv axles had come off and determined that I never had the 4WD engaged. That was a butt puckering revelation. It has since been fixed and, true to form, the thing will climb a tree.
The first issue I had to address when I picked up the Trooper, was the fact that the heater blower would not function. I started her up and immediately looked under the dash to discover a toggle switch. Turned it on and voila! forced air heat. Had I not discovered this, there would have been no way to drive it considering the weather conditions. I also started a thread about that problem which came to a rather pleasant ending when I swapped the plugs on the back of the control unit and restored operation to its intended switch. The original problem, turns out, was a broken solder connection in the resistor pack which I repaired. The previous "technician" obviously didn't have access to this forum and gave up, resorting to the toggle switch and high only blower function.
The exhaust system was shot. So I took it to a guy I've used for many years and he put a whole new system under her (from the cat back) for $240.00.
I purchased a set of 31's from a friend and had them swapped to my rims. Mud flaps will round out the look and blend in nicely with the running boards.
To date, I have spent about $1500.00 and I have what appears to be a dependable daily driver. There are still some dents and surface rust with which to contend; but those can wait for warmer weather. My son and I beat, pulled, and cussed the tree dent in the rear door. Next step is to pull out the bumper and frame damage. Ordered some parts from thebigbread to fix the license plate light bar (a casualty of the tree or light pole) and the rear door pin switch. My son didn't even know he had a rear dome light until I started poking around on here and discovered mine.
The only thing that doesn't work right now is the rear defogger. I've cleaned the contacts and done all the cursory stuff. I have a feeling it may be related to the impact with a large object so I'll delve into that some more when the weather breaks. I can live without it for now.
Future plans include urethane bushing on the shackles and springs, a set of decent shocks, tune-up, and customizing the interior. I have already cut out red oak panels for the rear doors and cargo area. I wasn't happy enough with their outcome to use them on the front doors so I'm still mulling that over. I'll post pics as that project progresses. Every time I go poking around on here, I get more ideas. I'm not going for the rock climbing rig but it would be nice to turn a few appreciative heads now and then.
I'll keep ya'll posted. Thanks again to past and future input.
Tim
