you don't need to lift it. Here is some videos of a guy named Calvin taking his down some trails at Brown's Camp in the Tillamook State Forest:
last I heard it was in the same quest as you...He was looking for a transfer case...though I have not seen his van around for a year or more...
I know I was not much help but thought you might get a kick out of the video. Good luck with your project, you are tackling a rather unique vehicle as an expedition rig, seems like spare parts are getting scarce...