Hey guys,
I'm a long time reader, but this is my first post. I've currently got a '96 short bed, std cab, 2.2L 5spd s10 that I like to repeatedly break and fix. Over the past year I've gotten tired of the clown car vibe it gives off and decided to lift it. Being in my final year at the university, I've developed a dream for the truck to become more of a crawler after I graduate but I'm building up to that in baby steps since I can't buy a second daily driver until then. To get a feel for how it'd look lifted, this past weekend I used a bolt on SOA kit I've had lying around for a while on the rear axle. While I'm not crazy about the tension the bolt on puts on the spring perches, it's made me realize that I definitely want to get at least 6" of lift out of my labor.
So, here's the plan:
Tomorrow, I'm making two of my craigslist purchases that I've set up. I've already looked at all the parts in person, but needed to wait 'til Friday for the money. I'm picking up a set of Dana 30/35's off of a 1998ish Cherokee. Along with the axles, I'm taking the Cherokee's pitman arm, draglink, knuckles, hubs, calipers, shocks, leafs, coils, and brake lines. All of this is going for the lovely price of $100. While I understand the D30/35 set-up isn't the strongest, the price is right and I can always swap the axles out once I graduate and have a rich man's budget. In addition to the Cherokee gear, I'm picking up a set of 5 Jeep 5 on 4.5" x 15" rims for 75$ since I'll be changing bolt patterns.
I leave for school in six weeks, so I'll be collecting as much parts as possible before then so I can work on the truck while I'm at school and not needing it as much. Since the rear is already temporarily lifted with the stock axle SOA, I'm going to start with the front axle to try and level my truck out a little better(My caster is very off with the rear being so much higher). My plan is to install the D30 on leafs without connecting it to the drive for a little while. I'm unsettled on which springs to use. Someones got CJ leafs (front and back packs) and shocks on craigslist for 50$. Any input would be appreciated. Does mixing around the CJ/XJ packs sound like a good plan? Or am I going to have a 9 inch thick spring stack just to keep the truck up in the air? Alternatively, would my stock springs be best in the front, with the XJ/CJ leafs in the rear? What seems best for flex?
Here's a break down of how I figure I'll babystep this overhaul:
1) Install SFA disconnected from trans.
2) Install 31" tires to my two jeep rims and two s10 rims so I can drive for a while(31's a little small for the lift, but it's what I already have lying around)
3) Swap rear axle
4) Find a trans/transfer case... engine? Doubler?
5) Re-gear axles or swap axles for D44 or 8.8? (The Dana's i have are 3.07 think go up to 4.10?) Side note: Does anyone see terrible issues with 3.07 and 31's? Right now my stock is 215/75/R15 on a 3.73... Am I ever going to see fifth gear between steps 2 and 5?:rant:
6) End goal: 35" tires, 8-12" of lift, Doubler.
Anyway, sorry for the long winded post. I'm sure I'll have more questions. I just wanted to finally get out there and get some input from members and be able to keep a log of my own progress throughout this.
I'm a long time reader, but this is my first post. I've currently got a '96 short bed, std cab, 2.2L 5spd s10 that I like to repeatedly break and fix. Over the past year I've gotten tired of the clown car vibe it gives off and decided to lift it. Being in my final year at the university, I've developed a dream for the truck to become more of a crawler after I graduate but I'm building up to that in baby steps since I can't buy a second daily driver until then. To get a feel for how it'd look lifted, this past weekend I used a bolt on SOA kit I've had lying around for a while on the rear axle. While I'm not crazy about the tension the bolt on puts on the spring perches, it's made me realize that I definitely want to get at least 6" of lift out of my labor.
So, here's the plan:
Tomorrow, I'm making two of my craigslist purchases that I've set up. I've already looked at all the parts in person, but needed to wait 'til Friday for the money. I'm picking up a set of Dana 30/35's off of a 1998ish Cherokee. Along with the axles, I'm taking the Cherokee's pitman arm, draglink, knuckles, hubs, calipers, shocks, leafs, coils, and brake lines. All of this is going for the lovely price of $100. While I understand the D30/35 set-up isn't the strongest, the price is right and I can always swap the axles out once I graduate and have a rich man's budget. In addition to the Cherokee gear, I'm picking up a set of 5 Jeep 5 on 4.5" x 15" rims for 75$ since I'll be changing bolt patterns.
I leave for school in six weeks, so I'll be collecting as much parts as possible before then so I can work on the truck while I'm at school and not needing it as much. Since the rear is already temporarily lifted with the stock axle SOA, I'm going to start with the front axle to try and level my truck out a little better(My caster is very off with the rear being so much higher). My plan is to install the D30 on leafs without connecting it to the drive for a little while. I'm unsettled on which springs to use. Someones got CJ leafs (front and back packs) and shocks on craigslist for 50$. Any input would be appreciated. Does mixing around the CJ/XJ packs sound like a good plan? Or am I going to have a 9 inch thick spring stack just to keep the truck up in the air? Alternatively, would my stock springs be best in the front, with the XJ/CJ leafs in the rear? What seems best for flex?
Here's a break down of how I figure I'll babystep this overhaul:
1) Install SFA disconnected from trans.
2) Install 31" tires to my two jeep rims and two s10 rims so I can drive for a while(31's a little small for the lift, but it's what I already have lying around)
3) Swap rear axle
4) Find a trans/transfer case... engine? Doubler?
5) Re-gear axles or swap axles for D44 or 8.8? (The Dana's i have are 3.07 think go up to 4.10?) Side note: Does anyone see terrible issues with 3.07 and 31's? Right now my stock is 215/75/R15 on a 3.73... Am I ever going to see fifth gear between steps 2 and 5?:rant:
6) End goal: 35" tires, 8-12" of lift, Doubler.
Anyway, sorry for the long winded post. I'm sure I'll have more questions. I just wanted to finally get out there and get some input from members and be able to keep a log of my own progress throughout this.