What to do??? (long)

[DRM033@xxxxxxx]

Man, list traffic sure is slow....

I am at an interesting problem.  I was very happy with my truck this past
weekend, but following suit with all of my club members, I want to go bigger.
For reference, with my 35" boggers and 4 popper, I am on the smaller end of
the scale of vehicles in my club.  Many of them with trail only vehicles have
swapped to hydraulic steering and 39" boggers or 42" to 44" swampers, 1 ton
axles, etc...

I have had plans that over the next year or so I want to do some major
changes to my truck - essentially making it less of a Toyota.  Anyway, here
are my thoughts so far, I welcome any comments:

For an engine, I think a 4.3 would be the easiest.  I posted this to the
other list, and got some good replies that reinforced this idea.  Still, a
350 would not be out of the question.

The transmission is where I am having problems.  I know I do not want to run
an automatic, so that causes several problems.  I want to run a SM465 4 speed
Chevy transmission since it will bolt up with no adapters to the 4.3 engine.
I also like the 6.5:1 first gear, and the fact that I can pick one of these
transmissions up for about $200.  The problems comes in that AA does not make
an adapter from the 465 to the Toyota T case.  I have looked briefly into
making my own adapter, and have decided that I can do it either using the
existing transmission tail housing as an adapter, or making my own out of
1/2" plate steel.

But, I could also switch over to a Dana 300 transfer case instead of my
double Toy case and just use a 4:1 gear set for the Dana 300 - since AA has
an adapter from the 465 to the 300.  Although I would be going from 5.1:1
with the Toy cases to 4:1 with the Dana 300, the low first gear of the 465
still leaves me with a great crawl ratio.
SM456 (6.5) * D 300 (4) * axle gears (4.88) = 127:1
SM465 (6.5) * Toy (2.28) * Toy (2.28) * alxe gears (4.88) = 165:1

Either way, I should be ok for crawl ratio with 38's or 39" boggers.
Probably the only reason I want to keep the Toy T-cases really has more to do
with the fact that if I don't, I will not have ANYTHING Toyota left on my
truck except for the cab & frame...  I am trying to avoid being a complete
sell-out to Toyota ;)

SO, that brings me on to the axles.  I am really torn between 2 axle setups.
The best option would be front & rear 60's.  I would definately need those if
I went with 39" boggers.  I would have an ARB front and Detroit or spool rear.

What I am leaning toward is building a rear Ford 9" with some 1.61" Dana 60
35 spline shafts and a Detroit with 4.88 gears, disc brakes, etc.  The front
would be a Wagoneer or J10 Dana 44 with Warn alloy shafts and an ARB, 4.88's.

Neither of these are cheap, but that is the price to pay for wanting to do
the "hard" stuff, right?

If I go with the 44/9" combo, 38.5x16 TSL's will be the tire of choice.  If
the Dana 60's - 39" boggers will go on.

Anyway, that is just my rambling of my plans for the next year or so.  Any
input or criticism is appreciated :)

David
DRM033@aol.com
http://www.tennessee4x4.com/toyota