hey im thinkin about gettin some 33"swampers and i was just wondering how much lift might i need to clear them from my wells or can i jsut do a lil trimming, and if my 86 4cyl. 2.3l could power them or would it be a better idea to get like a 31" swamper. should i go ahead and get some manule locking hubs while im at it or will the autos hold for now with 33's on them. thanks

I think you'll need about a 2-3" BL to clear 33s. that 2.3 will be mighty slow moving those tires though. I would say the 31s would be a better choice, but it entirely depends on how much acceleration you are willing to sacrifice for ground clearance.

for 33's I'd go with a combonation of a little bit of suspension lift and a little bit of body lift and a little bit of trimming. and you'll probably have to do something about the scrubbing you will encounter on the tranny xmember that sticks out in the fenderwell.

for 31's you won't need any lift at all, but a little bit of suspension lift would help you out in the ground clearance area.

I'm trying to decide which one to go with myself on my 86. that beyotch is gutless :D

here's my bone stock 88 w/ 33x12.50's on it... stock 15x6 rims too. Mine fit fine so don't know what the hell all you guys are talking about, lol :flipoff2: j/k

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/286000-286999/286698_179_full.jpg

I changed out recently to manual locking hubs and manual hubs are a must! i've figured out now that the best beginning mods for anyone who wants to wheel a trooper and just to have fun, in the mean time (before drastic mods), is to change auto locks to manuals (if already not equipped) and to get some bigger, more aggressive off-road tires on. plenty capable with stock gearing. i've gotten some added rock thrashing though.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/286000-286999/286698_236_full.jpg

Originally posted by TrooperLX
don't know what the hell all you guys are talking about

The '86 Troopers have a crossmember really far forward that yours does not...... that's what they are talking about.

BTW, I think one of the best mods someone can start out with is some boulder bars to protect the rocker panels. From the pics, it looks like you probably don't agree with that:flipoff2: I have seen much worse though.


Oh, and if you are going to have to drive that truck every day, I would just stick with 31's. My first truck was a 2WD Amigo with the 2.3. Even with stock tires that thing could barely get out of its own way. I can't imagine DD one trying to turn 33's.
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thanks you all, i think im going to go with the 31's so i dont have a lot to hassel with. Its also my DD so i dont want to bog it down to much. ill post some pics after i get them on. thanks

Originally posted by Indyguy


The '86 Troopers have a crossmember really far forward that yours does not...... that's what they are talking about.

BTW, I think one of the best mods someone can start out with is some boulder bars to protect the rocker panels. From the pics, it looks like you probably don't agree with that:flipoff2: I have seen much worse though.

actually, i agree :flipoff2:, boulder bars should be the first mod, especially to protect the doors :D. I didn't have boulder bars because I didn't think I really needed em until then, but after i got my manual hubs, i was going placed i could never go with my jacked auto locks. i hope to be getting some bars soon though. atleast the damage it makes it look tougher and im using it for what its meant for.

ya, 31x10.5's are a better option. i figured the 86 model was a bit different in body design, never looked at one closely.

Originally posted by TrooperLX
I didn't have boulder bars because I didn't think I really needed em until then, but after i got my manual hubs, i was going placed i could never go

I definitely understand where you are coming from with that. I bashed in both rear corners of the Amigo on rocks within 2 hours of installing the rear ARB locker. Without the locker, I would have never gotten to where those rocks were in the first place.
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:D yep gotta love manual hubs and the locker!

:mad: auto locks should have never been in a trooper, haha

here's my bone stock 88 w/ 33x12.50's on it... stock 15x6 rims too. Mine fit fine so don't know what the hell all you guys are talking about

So with 33's what kind of power do you have, I still have stock size tires on my 88, and have wanted to go larger, but didn't think I would be able to keep up with freeway speeds. May be elevation has something to do with it as well as I am at 5,000 ft.

J

well you can always regear or do some engine mods to make up for the difference. w/ 33's on my old trooper V6 it wasn't so bad, and most folks say the 2.6 and 2.8 are about equal. they are gonna be hell on my new 86 with the 2.3 tho. good bye 5th gear :flipoff2:

Originally posted by TROOPERJ


So with 33's what kind of power do you have, I still have stock size tires on my 88, and have wanted to go larger, but didn't think I would be able to keep up with freeway speeds. May be elevation has something to do with it as well as I am at 5,000 ft.

J

of course there's some power loss, but it's fine. especially now after driving it for almost 10 months with the 33's on my 2.6, im easily keeping up with freeway speeds. i've learned how to drive it very well, but yes you are using 4th gear more frequently, but actually if you think about it, the 4-bang doesnt have great power to start with, even with stock tires. 5th gear is definetely still there, can i use it all the time on the freeway. but it all depends on how you drive it and accelerate. if you have the $$ to change out to new gears, by all means go for it, it would help. but if you dont, i wouldnt worry about it because i've been driving it for this long without changing gears, and i'm doing fine. as with the elevation, it might have something to do with it as well.

I have 33x12.5 tires and no tire rub.
I have a 3" body lift and 2.5" suspension lift.

http://berisford.net/uploads/Troopuh/t7.jpg
btw, the rockers were damaged when I bought it. I have never done any rock crawling. Only mud and trails.

After i get my 14 bolt situation squared away with my truck im buying some 33's for my trooper....Im gonna run them on 8 inch wides and just "trim" to fit them ;)

a 14 bolt is a little - no- WAY overkill for 33's wouldn't ya think :confused:

Originally posted by paulevans76
a 14 bolt is a little - no- WAY overkill for 33's wouldn't ya think :confused:

I heard the bottom of the diff dragging on the ground helps support the weight of the truck and increases your load-carrying capacity.:flipoff2:


BTW, he never said the 14 bolt was for the Trooper. But if it is, and you only plan on 33's, that is a horrible idea.
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No im buying a 14 bolt and a high pinion dana 60 for my trooper...im gonna run 33's....5.13 gears...lockers...no lift....It will BE SWEET!!!!!! :flipoff2:

Nah the 14 is for my truck. :p

:flipoff2: