1986 Trooper II
2.3L
~168K Mi.
Bought my Trooper from a friend about three years ago. Before I got the Trooper, my buddy had the engine rebuilt and a new clutch installed. I keep the Trooper at my vacation home in Salt Lake City, so I only drive it two or three weeks a year, probably average 2500 miles each year.
First summer I had it, we drove it from Salt Lake thru Las Vegas and down to Los Angeles. Drove it at 75 all the way, even through the desert. It did fine, except for the A/C going through the desert. My wife, grandaughter, and I were about to break out in a sweat with the A/C going full blast. My wife's little jar of Carmex lip balm went liquid sitting on the console, it was that hot. Not complaining, I was totally happy the Trooper the entire trip. I've never done the math, but gas milage is excellent with the little 2.3L .
The 2.3 four cyl is a little wimpy going up mountains in Salt Lake, even using high test. I'm always leading the line of traffic up the mountain to Alta each morning to ski. I've come to beleive that's a good thing though. It keeps me out of trouble on icy roads before the plows have been through.
It does use oil, I keep it watched regular. I've just switched it to Mobile 1 full synthetic. It did develop a drip from the rear main as soon as I did. Next time I change oil, I'm going to put in the M1 full syn high milage oil and see if the additives will work on the rear main seal. I've also started putting Marvel Mystery Oil in with the gas as a top cyl lube. Might be my imagination, but I think it makes a difference.
Tony