Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum but not new to message boards.  I've done my best to search here and on other sites and I'm just overwhelmed by the information.  I used to have a 1970 Camaro and ride motorcycles so off-road stuff is still somewhat new to me. 

'87 4x4 pickup with a 22R (no E) as a starting point.
I bought some things from people on Craigslist this weekend to get me started on the journey.  I found a new 4" sas kit, 85 axles fr & rear, and a transmission/transfer case supposedly from a carb'ed 85 (with front drive shaft).

Edits:
Updated Current list of parts:
Marlin knuckle ball gussets
Marlin 4" suspension
Marlin clutch kit (installed)
MC diff armor, bumpers, winch, smittybilt double single roll bar

still need tires and wheels, fab spare tire carrier for bed.  thinking 37s
still need front Marlin 3rd w/5.29's and e-locker, want longfield set
still need rock sliders

Updated Up in the air still:
EFI conversion... thinking about propane but I'm in California and want the truck to pass smog

Update
When I resealed the input shaft on the used transmission I found it was a G54 and it's nice and quiet on the road.  The double cardan on the 85 front driveshaft is awesome and I will just mod that d/s with long slip yoke.  The Marlin clutch and resurfaced flywheel shift nicely and the shifter bases are really smooth

Ultimately I want this to be capable yet street legal. It's my 2nd vehicle but I'd like to be able to drive it to the trails and back.  Thanks everyone!  here's a couple pics

  to the site.  What do you mean by generic lift?  If you're not down for mixing/matching your own ruf's and f150 or chevies in the rear then I'd buy some good quality springs like marlin, alcan or allpro.  The cheaper springs are just plain poorly engineered, and the "big name" lift kits are usually jokes for toys.

For a 5" lift you will need to mod the driveshaft a bit. A 7" is prolly from a "big name" comapany that doesnt plan on actually offroading the vehicle so in the kit is a billet spacer or some garbage to make the front d-shaft fit. That and they dont worry to much bout what we all strive for...FLEX!

Ok it's been a while and it's been slow progress mostly due to life happening and taking up my free time.

So I've installed the FROR frame brace and encountered a hiccup with it that was easily fixed.  You can see in the pics the upper hole for the bumper.  For the install I used my little Lincoln with flux core wire.  It was set up for MIG but it just didn't have the juice to penetrate the thicker stuff to my liking.

I also installed the bumpers and front spring hanger.  The front bumper makes the tires look tiny.   My friend Joey let me use the big 220 volt Lincoln at his shop in Oakland (performance options) to weld the spring hanger.  They are in the road race (short vid) and drift scene and getting their feet wet with off-road fun so I'm their guinea pig 

I started into the front axle prep and am starting to get more excited as I go.  Right now I'm getting my cc bill paid down so I can drop the $$ on a high pinion front 3rd and longfields.  I'm plugging away on things I can do while I save so progress isn't going too fast

on with the pics  (the gold paint is Copperweld weld through primer)

Looking good for sure. Those bumpers give the truck a whole new stance even with the puny little tires.

good start on ur truck, gonna be sweet.

E-locker for the front, what are you doing for the rear? You are off to a great start.

Welded rear.

I am going to try for a selectable locker in the back too.  I've heard differing stories about detroits locking and unlocking when driving on the freeway causing control problems.  It just depends on who you talk to (like anything) but I was planning on an e-locker in the rear too.  I've also considered the ARB but with the compressor factored in, they cost a bit more... then i also wouldn't have to mod housing... ahh decisions 

Updated
nothings set in stone yet.  My big 3 purchases to go are
wheels/tires
front 3rd gears/locker/longfields
rear 3rd gears/locker

if I go ARB I can probably rebuild these 3rds I have but I don't know anyone that can set them up cheap

hay I have a complete e-locker third for sale 550 shipped

seriously?  what kind of shape is it in? what gear ratio is in it?

I've heard about the trouble with the air lines and that's why the original plans were e-lockers

550 is a good deal for an e-locker.

We just talked on the phone and I just sent payment 

I think I'll get some 5.29's and use it in the rear.  I really want the high pinion front e locker from marlin 


anyone think some 37" mt/r's will fit with the 4" suspension?  Some trimming and pounding is cool but I don't want to cut out my firewall

We just talked on the phone and I just sent payment 

I think I'll get some 5.29's and use it in the rear.  I really want the high pinion front e locker from marlin 


anyone think some 37" mt/r's will fit with the 4" suspension?  Some trimming and pounding is cool but I don't want to cut out my firewall

payment received
Will ship today via UPS

payment received
Will ship today via UPS

sweet can't wait 

also looks like I'll have some wheels sooner than I expected.  There's some 15x10 Baja's in the sale section that I'll probably pick up tomorrow

Thanks everyone this forum is awesome 

Best I've found       

X2 easiest to get around on as well.
cant wait to watch this build.
first ive watched.. thats one elockers for one.. and a high pinion front for two..
WOOT! keep up the good work.