[MetallicaBreath]

Looking for as much information as I can get with this new journey of mine. The 98' Hombre is nice and aside from a few spots that need bondo, she sure is a gem. What I need help with is probably simple for some but as a "do it yourself mechanic" I know little about transmissions and lift kits. Which is why I'm here.

So what I would like to do is give the dude a 4 or 6 inch level/lift kit. Professionally installed of course. But one thing I do know how to do is change a transmission on 4wd/rwd drive vehicle. I know putting on a lift kit adds new stresses to the vehicle. What should I change? What should I replace? What size tires would work best on it? Also would like to know if there are compatible transmissions 5-speed with OD. Don't get me wrong the little 5-speed in this is nice but it runs a bit high on the old rippum gauge at 65mph. Probably around 2500 or better. So any and all info would be sincerely helpful. This is my daily but the guy at the lift shop said he'd have me out same day so that kind of eased my mind a bit. Anyways, If you have any answers for me or want to share your experience with a similar situation please do! And remember folks! IF IT WORKS IT AIN'T STUPID!

 

[bk2life]

Looking for as much information ....65mph. Probably around 2500 rpms

hombre, 4 cyl? because they use 4:11s in the rear end and 2500 RPMs is very normal for an engine that makes 68 hp and needs those RPMs to drive normally.
For what its worth, my silverado runs 2400 rpms at 75mph.

but your hombre is an s10, any s10 lift kit will work, and theres hundereds if not thousands of lifted s10s with the same combo as you, no worries needed.

i hope i answered your question?

 

[MetallicaBreath]

It's the 4.3l

 

[MetallicaBreath]

Any other insights? Still looking to do this as a winter project.

 

[Dan_in_WA]

I’m no expert but from what I’ve read, the thing to really watch is getting too much of an angle on the driveshaft U joints. IIRC they were meant to operate at something like a 5 - 10 degree difference between the center line of the driveshaft(s) and the slip yoke or the differential. Other members may jump in and correct that.