Hello everyone

I've been here a couple of times asking about simple mods for my 84 BII. It has been a good daily driver and a competent trail truck. For me daily driving means 3-4 miles of washed out, mud filled potholed, downed tree roads every day.

Anyways, I'm now a part of a van pool, and that means I'll have about $300.00 a month to put into my truck. I have also hooked up with some guys from my new comand that like to run trails in the mountains by my place (Olympic peninsula, Wa.) I'm sure everyone can see where this is going. I have already broke parts and the 2.8 just don't cut it. I'd like to build a registerable, competent trail rig.

I already have a set of 33s so that's what I'd like to run now with enough room to possibly go to 35s. I still want 16 or so MPG so I'm thinking 5.0 or 4.6. I REALLY like the SpiderTrax 9" housing and would like to run those with a HI-9 center front and rear (the 33s are mounted on wheels from an f-250 so 1 ton hubs will work fine.) I'm thinking a C-4/5 hybrid to allow me to use my stock 1350 Tcase will do fine. Coils up front leaves in the rear are fine, although I am not picky if something seems better.

I want to be able to tow 2-3k pounds and fill the truck up with gear and people.

So, basically I haven't nailed down steering, brakes and putting it all together. I know this sight doesn't usually believe in tires smaller than 38s and that this is a bit minor mannered project for around here, but I'm hoping for e few suggestions and a little guidance.

Thanks

Ron

a 4.6 will be a bitch to fit in your engine bay. its a lot taller and wider than the 5.0. reliable powerplants that work easy is the 4.0 v6 and the 5.0. if you go v8 then i dont think ur gonna get 16mpg. and also your frame wasnt designed to handle the torque of the v8, so you need to box it. you would have to take the body off. a 4.0 from 90-94 is what you will be able to work best with. going with an aftermarket axle is overkill for 33s, and it would be cheaper/easyer to find a d44/8.8 rearend and a d44 front. or swap in a d35 front end from a 90-94 explorer, or up to 97 out of a ranger. dont let people tell you tho that you need exactly this this and this to make your truck work. it depends on the parts availibility of your area that you should build your truck with. also ive always heard good things about 2.8s and 9s other than their head cracking issues if you overheat them. they arent powerhouses, but they do tend to be durable, and wouldnt be bad to rebuild if your having trouble finding a differnt motor. check out http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/index.htm hope that helps