so, i have a 1972 fj-40 w/ stock everythign but its got a bell housing adaptor to fit a chevy small block on the stock tranny.

i also have a 1991 1/2ton suburban that im parting out.

this is giveing me a almost brnad new GM crate motor, t-body injecton, power steering titlt wheel and all kinds of shit.......

now, i could also steel the drive trial from the subruban and have a full v8 swap w/ automatic tranny *(wich i like for wheeling as my last fwe crawlsers were atutos and kicked real ass) full width dana 44 front axle and a 12bolt rear. use just about any transfer case id like..... blah balh.....

or keep the fj as it stick in the v8 and hoap for the best...

either way is baisicly free.. i jsut have to build it. and i plan to start working on it come spring as its time it mvoed.

for starters i paln to get the v8 in it and get it running then do what ever real "build up" i chose for it.

ultimatly i want.

front/rear spool (it wont see much if any street use)
38-40" swampers
ram assist steering
dual sitck t-case
full cage/tube body
winch
auto tranny of some kind
swivil roll over proof cup holder
and som eother red-neck mod's.....

PURE ROCK crawler. iv had a few, my last fj never made it real far being built up. was mostly stock and wasnt too bad a rig. this one is farlry beat to start w, and needs to have lots of fab work done to it jsut to make it road worthy. so for the most part if i do all these mod's up front while geting the thign road worty it wont be much extra work.

im giong to measure out the tranny/tcase/motor and see what id end up w/ for drive line lenthts if i pu tin the cehvy automatic. im afriad id have a 8" rear drive shaft if i went w/ the 700r4, i may have to step down to a th350 tranny wich would be fine as this thign dosnt need a OD or any thing. im going to try and make an ecell spread sheet and break down the price of chevey parts rebuldling cost vs. toyota. more i think bout it the cvevy parts may be a better way to go as most teh stock FJ stuff i have is a bit too old to get neat hop up parts for. like they dont even sale high steer kits for my front end ug.....

and im debating going w/ a coil spring and link suspenon vs/ leaf's...... as coils are dirt cehap. and i can build links all day long.

bigest thign is time as u said travis...... god knows none of us ever have enough time for our project's...........

it will start out running as is and grow form there !.... thats for damn sure!.