Re: What to do??? (long)

[Tony Bartlett <offroadr@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>I am at an interesting problem.  I want to go bigger.
> Many of them with trail only vehicles have
>swapped to hydraulic steering and 39" boggers or 42" to 44" swampers,

David, I have about 4 friends out here in Utah going to 38's with
4banger and toy axles
lets see how long those hold up.  a few of them are lengthening the
frame up front 6 inches
so they can move the axle approx 6" forward.  They have also modified
the inner fenders so they
are now round to help with tire clearance

>For an engine, I think a 4.3 would be the easiest.

I am working on this at this time, will be a 1996 4.3 ltr with NV4500
(6.34:1 1st gear)
and overdrive.  Just so you know the NV4500 behind my 4 cyl was only
13/16 of an inch
longer than stock trans.

>I know I do not want to run an automatic,

I do not want to run an automatic either

>I want to run a SM465 4 speed

there is also the SM 420 (7:1 1st)

>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.

One thing that would be nice with the Dana 300 is the ground clearance
you could get
with it.  remember that the 4:1 gears are way more expensive that Marlin
gears

>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 about FJ 80 front axle?  those birfields should be way stronger
than the
Dana 44  they are just hard to find and expensive


Have fun with the decisions you will have to make.

Toyota Tony