Hello all,

I picked up a 1984 extra cab pickup this last weekend for $1500. 169,000 miles, 22r, manual trans and tcase, clean body, running and driving.
I want to turn this into my first real crawler. I need some starting points on the best ways to get on the trail.

I plan to start with chevy 63" in the rear, rear to front, hi steer, ifs steering box and relocation, spool locker in the rear, and some armor. hoping ill be able to clear at least 35's if not 37's.
How will the gearing be with a bigger tire size?

Any and all advice is welcome, thanks in advance.

 

OME lift, 33s, 4.88 regear, ARB airlocker(s), and a camper shell

I'm partial though...

 

How much cash is available?

 

^^this^^
Usual gearing
33's 4.88
35's 5.29s
Stock 4.10's will definitely suck with out a gear swap
Bigger tires - give some thought to upgrading the brakea

 

Cash available would be about $5k. Would I need to regear the axles If I regear the transfer case to 4.7?

 

Tons, 40's, dual cases, ARB's, links. Wheel and remove bodywork as needed.

Seriously though gears for tires is a must especially if crawling. Also tire size can be increased a lot with a small lift and cutting of fenders. If its going to be a real crawler you probably going to want to cut your fenders a bit flex/tire rub. Start with a good base and then modify as needed. A winch and good skids goes a long ways.

OME springs and 33's are a great start. As well as 63's RUF combo and 35's.

Anything over 35's you breaking stuff wheeling hard if you use too much loud pedal. All depends on your driving style

My first toy was a 85xcab 3" springs, 33" cooper discovers, Detroit in the real and 5:29's for diff gears. At about 15psi that thing went where I pointed it within reason.

Solid building advice. Wheel your rig in stock form to get an idea of what it does well and what it need help with. Then get some good skids/armor. Recovery winch and snatch block with tree strap & hi-lift jack. Now wheel it more and see where that gets ya. Now you have a solid idea of where you need to go modification wise.

Most of us who have had big rigs and small rigs appreciate both but recognize that both have strengths and weaknesses. Me 33's, armor, with lockers and gears with a low COG make a winning combination.