would a stock engine and tranny from an 83 or 82 be able to handle 35's and a lift or would you need to do a swap... also would it have enough power for crawling?

 

Should be fine. Gear down the diffs to 5.29's to get some of your power back.

 

Although the 83 tranny is a major POS (ask me how I know), if it's still working after 20 years you won't have a problem. Starting in 84 the trannys gradually were beefed up through the years.

 

well if the 83 tranny is crap is there something that i can replace it with that isn't and will it be a fairly simple swap or would it be difficult.

 

the most simple swap for this is also the most expensive. marlin of marlin crawler builds what he calls an L52-HD. it's basically an '83 style transmission with larger bearings and is supposed to be much stronger. i think it runs $799 + core though.

the option i'm probably going to do(albeit planning a 4.3 v6 swap as well) is putting a later series transmission under my truck. they are around 4" longer, so you will have to get your front driveline lengthened and the rear shortened. the R series is the strongest, they were used behind v6 and turbo trucks and can handle a 4.3 without problems. the W series is the next strongest, it was used behind EFI pickups from '85 up. the G series is better than an '83 transmission, but weaker than the other trannies