The Mississippi Turbo Diesel (1987 TD)

[ThreeComanches]

Hi all. With this truck being as rare as it is, I figured I'd share this unicorn with y'all. It isn't my main priority right now so updates might be far in between.

 

She's a 1987 Base model Turbo Diesel. Yes, you read that right. From what I can gather, only about 3 factory 1987 diesels are know to exist (two are in the registry including this one). This one has been in MS it's whole life was was parked in 1995. I'm betting it ran hot. The guy tried to put a head gasket on, but gave up and left it in a carport. It would sit there until 2023 when the gentleman I bought it from rescued it. He had planned on 4.0 swapping it but never got to it. In February, I found it on Facebook marketplace. I made him an offer that he took. With that, I drove to MS and picked it up on February 17th.

 

Once I got the truck, it ended up sitting for a bit because personal life had me occupied for most of the year. Just recently, I've finally got around to working on it. My end goal is to put it back as original as possible and preserve it.

 

 

[ThreeComanches]

First order of business was to remove the old trashed 2.1 engine. With it being opened and exposed to the elements, it was seized up. Only hard part was getting the engine out with the aftermarket air shocks making the front of the truck raise up real high. I ended up pulling the header panel off so the oil pan wouldn't damage it. The engine i plan to put back in will be a 2.1. I have one out of a Cherokee TD but I'm unsure of the condition.

 

 

[Salvagedcircuit]

Oh man, talk about landing in the right hands

Eagerly awaiting the restoration process

[pizzaman09]

So cool.  A lot of work for if I remember is 85hp?

 

That said, quite a few trucks of the time had similar power in base trim.

[gvthnks]

Nice.  The novelty would outweigh the 85hp for me.   I live in flatistan and don't get in a hurry much anyway

[Htchevyii]

I'd live to have a diesel or formal diesel in CA. No smog no matter what you swap in.

[ThreeComanches]

@Htchevyii I do have a diesel Cherokee I might consider letting go of for the right price. It is currently a roller though.

[Htchevyii]

At the rate things are going in CA, gas is going to be completely unaffordable in a few years. I'm afraid I'm going to have to move to NV, but at least there's no smog there if you avoid NV and Reno.

[ThreeComanches]

Hey everybody! About time for an update isn't it? 

 

So a good bit has went on with this ole truck since the last update. 

 

First of all, the engine I ended up choosing for this truck in November was a factory 2.1 out of an '86 Cherokee Diesel with 99k miles. Initially, I wasn't sure of the condition as it had been sitting since 2006. Everything looked to be in good condition and it wasn't locked up so I went ahead and installed it. I tried to spin it over and see if it would fire but had no luck. I ended up putting it aside as I had other matters on my plate at that time. 

 

In January, I finally got back on to diagnosing it and decided to swap the injection pump. Upon doing that, the engine finally came to life. It was cold so it had a hard time starting. It also ran rough and wouldn't respond to the throttle. I also flushed out the fuel tank since the fuel in it had been there since 1995. 

 

So what's left? I need to install the transmission, have the injection pump rebuilt, redo the cooling system, and potentially fix the AC.

 

[Salvagedcircuit]

Aww yeah. I still gotta repair my AC lol. Good luck with it.