[deez_]

Brand new here, couldn’t find any thread to do with what I’m doing so decided to spend a few min and make an account

I have a 2003 s10 I’m looking at rebuilding. 2.2L 99 motor, manual trans. >>>2WD<<< I want 33s-35s, preferably 35s but with what I’m about to ask I’m open to being swayed either way. My question has to do with gearing/axle swap. I want to keep the 2.2(won’t be stock), throw a lift on it and run big tires. I hear getting into swapping the gearing on these and a new diff -all that, is WAY more expensive than just throwing a compatible 8.5 that has those 3.73s or 4.10s stock. Does anyone know my best option here? Or know what compatible axle I can throw in? I figure 3.73s are gonna be more common and less expensive, and I wanna keep some of the mileage, I believe it can be done. 2.2 is gonna be getting a turbo or two before I run this thing, and I do not plan on raw dawging it through the mud every weekend. Not looking to LS swap right now, I am very aware of how many headaches that would save.. lol.

Any tips are appreciated, I want this thing to be sturdy and I know there’s people out there with a hell of a lot more knowledge than me. Thanks

 

[deez_]

^^^ It has that crappy G80 rear end in it right now if that becomes a question, from what I’ve researched those are a no no

 

[oldeerslayer]

Putting 35's behind a 2.2 is simply a bad idea.
The engine has no power. 3 turbos won't help. You don't have any torque to get it rolling. So the turbos can start to wind up.
35 inch tires are mud - low rpm tires. 2.2's and turbos are just the opposite. No power until you get moving a bit. Even with 35's you can't break a G80 with only 135 ft.lbs. of torque. A 7.5" gov loc will easily handle twice that.

If you want to run 35's in mud put in a 6.0 LQ4. 360-370 ft.lbs would have no problem spinning 35's and breaking a 7.5" G80. Then put in an Explorer 8.8 differential with 4.10's and LSD.
Although an LS is a big project it would be simpler and likely cheaper in the end than dual Turbos trying to blow the bottom out of a 4 cylinder engine that was built strictly for economy.
The LQ4 stock would likely have as much power, more torque and last for years. They're a 3/4 ton truck motor designed to pull heavy loads and big rubber.
BTW neither route will cost under $10K when completed.

 

[deez_]

Putting 35's behind a 2.2 is simply a bad idea.
The engine has no power. 3 turbos won't help. You don't have any torque to get it rolling. So the turbos can start to wind up.
35 inch tires are mud - low rpm tires. 2.2's and turbos are just the opposite. No power until you get moving a bit. Even with 35's you can't break a G80 with only 135 ft.lbs. of torque. A 7.5" gov loc will easily handle twice that.

If you want to run 35's in mud put in a 6.0 LQ4. 360-370 ft.lbs would have no problem spinning 35's and breaking a 7.5" G80. Then put in an Explorer 8.8 differential with 4.10's and LSD.
Although an LS is a big project it would be simpler and likely cheaper in the end than dual Turbos trying to blow the bottom out of a 4 cylinder engine that was built strictly for economy.
The LQ4 stock would likely have as much power, more torque and last for years. They're a 3/4 ton truck motor designed to pull heavy loads and big rubber.
BTW neither route will cost under $10K when completed.

I have a 4.3 and a 5.3 I could probably swap in, just need to figure out driveshaft,trans, and will use an explorer back end as you suggested. I bet I can make it work. Might go a carb route to make this easier. Again, not looking to sling mud with this or race some kid, just want a lifted s10 to drive around that will pull big tires and still get pretty decent mileage. Thanks for the info

 

[Rhotpursuit]

All except the carb...

 

[oldeerslayer]

An 03 already has the wiring for a LS compatible PCM. Would be easier to keep the factory FI than to rewire the whole truck to eliminate all the components currently integrated with the computer. You'd loose almost all gauges, control of the A/C system, everything controlled by the body control module. It'd be a real mess to straighten out.
If wiring isn't something that you find easy contact CPW and have a harness made up.