I've got a 1990 2.6L 4 Cyl and I really love the thing. I bought it with a brand new transmission/clutch/tires and have since replaced all 4 rotors and pads as well as the carrier bearing. I cracked my muffler last night so that's gonna be new soon as well.

I'm really interested in beefing this thing up a bit but I'm wondering if it's worth it. Is the 4 Cyl as opposed to a V6 gonna hurt me? I'm not looking to go to Rubicon or anything, I was thinking of buying the Calmini 3" Suspension, 32" Bridgestone Dueler M/Ts, and a rear ARB locker. Will this thing be pretty capable with these additions?

I was thinking about just selling it and buying a V6 first gen trooper but I can't seem to find one with less than 150k miles. My Trooper had 110k when I got it and it's now up to 120k.

Also, is the 4 Cyl gonna limit me on tires? I think the 32"s would be alright but if I ever wanted to go up to a 35" is it gonna be too much?

BUILD IT :flipoff2: the 2.6 is a good motor if the heads already been replaced or if its taken care of. theres a cam and header for it which i've heard good things about. selling it for a trooper with a 2.8 is not worth the time and effort, they're pretty close in power. as for suspension and tires, if you don't want to get crazy with it, just get an add-a-leaf and shackle for the rear, crank the torsions some in the front and trim your fenders a little. you can easily run 32-33s. if you put the arb in it will make a World of difference with want it can do. if you go any bigger than 33 you might look into getting the 5.38 gears for it, or if your getting the arb that might be a good time to get the gears. hell i'm going to be running 35-36s with my 2.6 when ever i get my truck built, but i'm regearing in my new axles to 5.29. just my 2cents :D

Eric

I used to run a 2.6 with a header, cam, and MSD ignition with 35x12.50s as a daily driver. I swapped out to Toy axles with 5.29s and it ran really good. The only reason i'm running a v-8 now is i was tired of the wiring issues i was having and didn't feel like re-wiring a fuel injected engine. that's a lot of wires. The 2.6 is a great engine, and bulletproof as hell, trust me, I have personally had my old one at around 9000 rpm, and to 7000 many times.

Don't buy Calmini, buy from either Independent4x (www.independent4x.com) or Darlington Off-Road (www.darlington-offroad.com).

The 2.6 isn't a bad little engine. Get a 2.25" exhaust bent up, have Delta Cams do a low-end torque grind on your stock cam, and (if/when it cracks) put on an AMC head from www.aluminumheads.com It won't be a powerhouse, but it'll be good enough, and plenty reliable.

Some lift, 33's, Tera Lows in the transfer case, and ARB in the rear axle and you will have an impressive off-roader that still functions great as a daily driver. And if you don't like the power loss from the bigger tires, 5.38's are available and will be adequate for 33-36" tires.
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Coach Purses (http://icoachhandbags.com/)

the 89-91's are the prime years to own for the 1st gen troopers.

they have the 10 bolt front and 12 bolt rear...............so ARB's and 5.38 gears are available......as well if it is a manual you can run the TeraLow t-case gears

for the 2.6, slap on a Cone filter, header, cam, and larger exhaust and your good.

For off pavement, I'd say leave it stock 4 cyl. The 2.6 has plenty of torque - low end power for bumping and grinding over things. Probably better low-end than the 2.8/3.1 If you mod the air/induction system, make sure your point of air entry is from outside the vehicle engine compartment. Cool, fresh air. After warmup, intake from inside the engine compartment actually loses power over stock. You can run 33"s but your're gonna want to re-gear, but ouch $$$$ :flipoff2:

The 2.6 is a very good 4 banger. Zoo fawked up when the let gm talk them into going with the 2.2. I wish I still had my old rodeo with the 2.6 in it.