That is the idea I had once I got a Trooper with a 2.3L in it. There is going to be quite a bit of wiring to get sorted out, compared with just pushing more power out of the 1.8L, but I think the boost is worth it. My Trooper 2.3L 5 Spd can put down 27MPG highway besides having quite a bit more power. The only real downside I see is that you'll be putting a new timing belt on the 2.3L every 60k miles. I think my LUV timing chain was last touched by human hands in Japan, and the odometer reads about 60k for the second time since I've owned it.
If I were going to take on this project (which I may one day), I'd be looking for a complete Trooper with motor, trans, and power steering. Ideally, one that runs and drives great, but has had a tree dropped on the top of it or something.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
If you are up for more of a challenge, get a bit newer Trooper with a fuel injected 2.6L, but expect a lot of wiring to get straight.
Things to think over: Motor mounts have not been verified to be in exactly the same place-looks right but I don't know for sure, emissions testing will bump you up to year of the motor testing requirements in most states, 5 Spd Trans (at least the 4x4) is a couple inches longer requiring a drive shaft shortening. This is not a drop it in over a day project like a LUV-LUV swap.