well, here's my plan...since my BII is a DD, i'm going to find another BII frame, put everything on that, then swap my body onto it when it's all done...

-83-88 gen 1 BII frame
-I'm going to swap a 4.0 Explorer motor into it, as I can get a good deal on a 92 Explorer with a crapped-out auto tranny
-I'm going to be swapping in the Dana 35 out of the Ex.
-i'm also going to find a nice disc 31 spline 8.8 out of a 97+ Ex.
-since the auto tranny is crapped out on the Ex, I'm going to find an M5OD ranger tranny to swap behind to 4.0, since I'm fairly sure it would eat my FM146 for lunch and come back for more...
-I believe the only difference between a 1354 and a 1350 is that the 1354 has a flat plate to mount a ujoint, instead of a front slip yoke like a 1350. Either way, I hope to build a transfer doubler, probably using 1350's..
-for the suspension, I'm going to get a pair of 3" drop plates, and do the "floppy jeep spring setup" as written up on TRS, and get a pair of extended radius arms.
-for the rear, I want something flexy, but the best option I can find at the moment is a 63" chevy spring swap with a dual-shackel setup...I'll most likely need to re-locate the body mount in front of the spring hanger as the front hanger needs to be moved about 4-6" ahead, but I'll deal with that as I come to it...
-I'd like selectable lockers, but it doesn't rain money, so I'll probably run lock-rights front and rear with a manual hub kit in the front...and I'll most likely gear both axles to 4.56, as it will still be my DD after this...
-I'll keep the 3" body lift i've got now, and my 16" rubicon rims, but the 245/75/16's will be replace but a set of 33" MTR's, or something of the like...
-finally, i'm getting a custom winch bumper made soon, so I'd also like to get a rear one to match (my smittybuilt one is rusted out) and a pair of rock rails. If I can swing it, I'd like to get all 3 tied together with an Exo cage...

it's alittle long, I admit, but any thought are greatly apperciated...

sounds like it will be a heck of a b2. have fun. the exo cage if done right will look killer.

I honestly don't think that you will gain much with the 63" Chevy leaves on a BII. The stock springs are quite flexy as they are...but are still short enough to allow for a half way decent departure angle. The 63"ers are good, no doubt about it, but the extra length is something to consider especially with 33"s. I've got them in the rear of my fugly truggy and with 36"s they still stick out a good way.

Besides, if you do decide go with a dual shackle, Revolver, buggy leaf, whatever, you should get a gods plenty of flex and not have to jack with reworking all of the mounts.

I do know that you will not regret the money spent to put a doubler in...mine was worth every damned cent. Definitly keep that as a top priority. Plus, it will be easier to install with no body in the way.

I'll second the 4.56s...I had 33s and a 2.9/5speed in my Ranger with 4.56s and it was about perfect most of the times...a doubler would have made it better though, as it was still a little high geared on trails some times.

why not keep the springs you have, remove a leaf one each side, then build 8" long shackles (i would say to do a shackle flip but i believe bII's and rangers already are), then run and air bag assist using a longer bag then necessary so as not to limit travel, and also so the rear doesn't sag any as well.

Why not use some good deavers?

Also how does the driveshaft angle look with a doubler?