Build ideas

[98dango]

The goal is a camping, wheeler, daily driver. I have a rock crawling and mud background. I have built many rigs over the years. I build them then sell them. I just finished a dodge van 4x4 on 33s. It was nice but just too much rig when wheeling. I want a truck for short trips 5 days tops. I tend to pack fairly light. My current plan is to use a 97 s10 blazer that I got for a parts truck. My plan was to use a 350 sm465 205 Dana 44/14 bolt 4:10 gears locked rear. My problem is I don’t see the need for bigger than 35s. Witch then gives me gearing and ground clearance problems. With the sm465 you’re 1;0 to 1:0 in hi gear with 4:10s and 35s that is 2500 rpm at 65mph. Hwy speed is honestly 75mph that puts a constant rpm of 3000. Holding a small block Chevy at 3000 is ok but mileage is going to be a push at 12mpg.

The man purpose will be daily driver fallowed by camping and light trail riding. In my current stage in life I need to spend less time in the shop. The goal is not to break it. This is why I am thinking 14bolt all gear sm465 and np205. These parts don’t break easy. If they do parts can be had at any parts store and say a chain drive 208? Less weight more give. Not so much stress. At the cost of reliability and strength. Now with an auto there is less stress so I could get away with a lighter rear diff such as 9”ford. Witch. I want nothing on this truck hard to find or repair. My plan is leaf springs all around. Simple steering noting fancy all off the shelf parts. The only problem I see is all this stuff is heavy. More weight is less mileage more stress.

Would I be better off going to an automatic gives more ground clearance less weight

 

[DoWorkSon]

If you're looking for a reliable DD and light trail runner on 35's... why not get something that is closer to what you have in mind, rather than what sounds like a complete build up.


Cherokee?
Bronco?
Isuzu Trooper?

Something with solid axles (or TTB or IFS) and plenty of parts sitting around. If you are just doing light trail riding, I don't (personally) see one-ton running gear and V8's as necessary. A long arm'd cherokee, locked D44's, and you're ready. Under 5k.

 

[98dango]

If you're looking for a reliable DD and light trail runner on 35's... why not get something that is closer to what you have in mind, rather than what sounds like a complete build up.


Cherokee?
Bronco?
Isuzu Trooper?

Something with solid axles (or TTB or IFS) and plenty of parts sitting around. If you are just doing light trail riding, I don't (personally) see one-ton running gear and V8's as necessary. A long arm'd cherokee, locked D44's, and you're ready. Under 5k.

Well you bring up a good idea have thought it over alot. Most of this is persnoal a Xj on 35s is in no way going to hold up been ther destroyed that. A ttb or ifs wont work for persnoal reasons such as reliablity is not there. This is why i keep coming up with what im at.

Also money is not where i want it right now. I have sold every thing i own to be debt free except this pile of parts meaning build cost is around a grand. I just have my concerins on this build stated above.

 

[Metcalf]

I am guessing that you don't want a full-size something?

I would say shove the 350/465/205/D44/14-bolt in an FSJ. Trim out the fenders cleanly. 35s would be more than enough. A 110 wheelbase is just about right...not too big....not too small. The full size jeeps are smaller than your typical 'full size' truck.

 

[98dango]

I like your idea Metcalf And really like your trucks. The only thing is its eaxctly the same as a blazer just like a unicorn where i am currently at. The balzer and the jeep are almost identical in size. So all i would gain is spending more money.

 

[Metcalf]

As long as your not going to do technical rock crawling.....A full size regular cab long bed truck is hard to beat for overall use. If you don't care TOO much about the body you can take them TONS of places you shouldn't. The thing I liked best about my truck was that I didn't need to change a ton of stuff. Diesel engine, granny 5spd, np205, D60 front, D70 rear, 1410 rear driveshaft, etc. The fender mods for the big tires was a pain in the rear....

If I was going to do it all over again. I would start with a early 3rd gen Dodge cummins.....and basically rebuild the concept with only 37" tires. If you get the axles in the right place there would be zero body cutting.

I really like the regular cab longbox full size truck....I think for TWO people its about the perfect size do everything vehicle.....tow, haul, parking, off road, etc.

A person can make ANYTHING work with enough time and money. Some people have time. Some people have money. Some people have both.

 

[98dango]

I agree on the full size p/u. I dont much care for the beat to death body look. I had that in my 4runner tight Oregon trails. If it was just me i would just pick up a cheap 1/2 ton swap my parts and be done. I was recently granted partial custody of my 2 year old daughter who love's campin with her daddy. This is why i have sold every thing and want much less time in the shop. Also the reason for very mild trails for now. But I think me and my gril friend and my daughter in a standard cab will get full fast. So basicly im building a truck to last me about 10 years. I have money, time and ability.


hear is my old trucks

build this for a buddie

 

[bob91yj]

I think you are going to end up spending more hours in the shop creating/maintaining that creation than you plan on. I come from a rock crawling back ground, got into the desert racing thing/Expo thing 5 or 6 years ago, so I kind of know where you are coming from. Generally speaking, I think you'll get to most anywhere you want to go with 33's. For an S-10, I'd think a D44 front/9" rear would be perfect, or a hybrid 9/44 in the front would be even better, spare 3rd member works in either end then. I think the drivetrain combo is going to be overkill, and HEAVY, which is going to make suspension tuning that much more difficult. Sway bars/shocks/bumps/springs aren't going to be cheap if you're looking to build something you want to cover a lot of ground in.

As a rock crawler, all I cared about was flex/traction at the sacrifice of ride quality, and everything needs to be over built. Getting in to desert racing opened my eyes to what a well tuned suspension can/should do, even with solid axles (Jeepspeed). I built our LJ to get me out of trouble, not to go looking for it. I'll take the bypass rather than the obstacle in most cases when on an Expo type trip. I'm getting old/cranky, a bit of the been there, broke that, don't need to do it again to prove anything attitude. I still get a kick out of watching others go for the tough line, and I'm one hell of a repair supervisor!:sombrero: When I feel the need to go out and challenge something, I still have my 91YJ junk pile to take out and abuse, I can drag it back to the trailer to get it home if need be.

Edit: You posted pics while I was pounding out my answer. Nice crawler, Interco's are the bomb in the rocks, actually ran some TSL/SX's on a recent Baja trip. Overkill rock crawler mentality can't be completely overcome (but damn near flat proof tires). Here's a shot of my junk only straight panel on it is the door to the glove box.

 

[98dango]

Hit my worries on the head bob91yj. I know my 14/44 is way over kill thats why i mentioned going with a 9". My last s10 i dont have pictures of was a 94 4.3 700r4 with a 44/12 bolt 3:73 and 285s it worked well but no power.

 

[frgtwn]

98dango, your spelling and sentence structure certainly have improved! I know that you've suffered grief from others in the past, and I must say, things are much better. Some things will remain tough, like hear/here, that a spell checker will miss, but, for this reader, I have no problem understanding your intent.

Your work is showing results, and we are all better for it.

Now, more importantly, enjoy and love that daughter, and good luck on your build.

Dale

 

[98dango]

Well thank you kindly. I do try that little extra for you guys.

 

[lstzephyr]

Didn't you have a ramcharger? A rc sounds like it would work perfectly. Was that the vehicle in timbuktu and too far to get?

Are you planning on sleeping in the vehicle or in a tent? If you are planning on a tent then that opens up many options.

You have built a lot of custom things and seem to be good at it but if you are wanting to stay out of the shop then a stock or mostly stock vehicle is the way to go.

 

[98dango]

Didn't you have a ramcharger? A rc sounds like it would work perfectly. Was that the vehicle in timbuktu and too far to get?

Are you planning on sleeping in the vehicle or in a tent? If you are planning on a tent then that opens up many options.

You have built a lot of custom things and seem to be good at it but if you are wanting to stay out of the shop then a stock or mostly stock vehicle is the way to go.

It cost me the ramcharger,surburban,van and my job to get time with my daughter. I am curently in Michigan finishing up this job. I have to move closer to my daughter. So the rig will have to get me to Wy and then perminet home in Or as part of the deal.

 

[stumpjump]

After reading your thread i'm leaning toward recommending a full size blazer. Chevy has excellent parts swapping and for the most part are cheap to build and maintain. I built my 1st chevy for camping and offroading for less than 3000 and I loved it (granted it has since snow-balled into a 15K yard ornament that I never take out anymore because I am married with 2 children but that's a story for another time)

Here's a quick break down of what I think would be a good all around Chevy that you could build to be mostly bullet proof for not to much money

88-91 K5- You get a tbi 350 and seating for 5 with a removable top- $1000-2500
Swap in a 4 speed and 205 t Case- $250
Craigslist 4" lift- ~$100
CUCV Axles- Dana 60 and 14 bolt with 4.56 gears and a detroit in the rear- ~$1000
37" H1 take off tires- ~$450

Fab up some bumpers and rock slides and your ready to roll.

This would give you a very reliable and streetable rig with a medium length wheel base, excellent ground clearance, seating for 5 and good parts availability for relatively cheap.

There my .02 Good luck with the build!

 

[98dango]

After reading your thread i'm leaning toward recommending a full size blazer. Chevy has excellent parts swapping and for the most part are cheap to build and maintain. I built my 1st chevy for camping and offroading for less than 3000 and I loved it (granted it has since snow-balled into a 15K yard ornament that I never take out anymore because I am married with 2 children but that's a story for another time)

Here's a quick break down of what I think would be a good all around Chevy that you could build to be mostly bullet proof for not to much money

88-91 K5- You get a tbi 350 and seating for 5 with a removable top- $1000-2500 good luck in mi
Swap in a 4 speed and 205 t Case- $250have it
Craigslist 4" lift- ~$100 have it
CUCV Axles- Dana 60 and 14 bolt with 4.56 gears and a detroit in the rear- ~$1000 not where im at but have 1/2 of it
37" H1 take off tires- ~$450 eventual plan

Fab up some bumpers and rock slides and your ready to roll.

This would give you a very reliable and streetable rig with a medium length wheel base, excellent ground clearance, seating for 5 and good parts availability for relatively cheap.

There my .02 Good luck with the build!

I like your 2 cents

I already have 97% of what you say the only thing I dont have is the front 60 or blazer. Well I do its just a little blazer 4 door full frame. Sorry no CUCV hear i'm Beaverton MI there all cut up for mud trucks. I feel that for now the little blazer will have to do given my current location. I love the responses people are coming up with basically what i have and can build for basically free just in a different body.

So With what I know and you have come up with. Put together what I got and run it. This can be done for the cost of fluid and exhaust. Not that I am against spending money I just don't want to right now.Much more important things right now to spend it on.

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