I've got a 84 Pup originally equipped w/ a (gutless) 2.2L diesel 4cyl & 4 spd manual tranny.
I want to swap out engine & drivetrain for a Chevy 350 smallblock & 5 speed transmission. Any help or suggestions would be really cool. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" />

Save lots and lots of money before you begin. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Here you can cheak out Matt's trooper, That should get your some kind of idea what it takes to do it. Oh yeah, like he said save lots and lots of money.

HTH...
Daniel

thats a good start <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> , now how about technical help? I dont think it will be hard to find the engine & drivetrain, installation is the tricky part. It's 4wd right now, but i'll be converting to 2wd because noone makes manual hubs for light trucks anymore, at least, not this one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Specifically, what kind of rear end should I be looking for to fit a small truck like this? Is it possible to narrow a larger rear axle to fit my application?

The rear end depends on what you are trying to build. For drag racing applications, many use a Ford 9 inch or a Ford 8.8 inch.

Any rear end can be narrowed.

Steve G

thats a good start <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> , now how about technical help?
ask some technical questions and we'll be glad to help.

I dont think it will be hard to find the engine & drivetrain, installation is the tricky part.
well, since you really don't have any options for using any parts of your existing driveline, and you're doing a complete driveline swap, installation **is** the project!

It's 4wd right now, but i'll be converting to 2wd because noone makes manual hubs for light trucks anymore, at least, not this one.
not sure i understand that logic at all.

Specifically, what kind of rear end should I be looking for to fit a small truck like this?
whats wrong with the one you got? what are you looking to get out of this. pretty general question, but i'd say a Dana44 is one of the better light truck rearends.

Is it possible to narrow a larger rear axle to fit my application?
Sure, but is it worth it to you for all the trouble involved? plenty of options exist so that you don't have to do this.

-Rob


EDIT: per Richards comments, thanks for keeping me in line.

The problem there is that he said he's got an 84 pup, which would be 8 bolt front 10 bolt rear if I'm not mistaking.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

My advice.... take this with a grain of salt...everyone...

If you are looking to go fast, and keep it trailworthy, go with a tranny ,t-case out of a later(94 adn up) S-10, adn the rear 10 bolt(chevy)... and get a dana 30 for the front(yes, out of a Heep Cherokee, if you want coils, or a Wrangler if you want leafs), as the NP 231s have the t-case output on the "wrong" side. This gives you the same bolt pattern on all 4 wheels, solid front axle,adn the same track width front and rear...

If you want totally bad....go with a a drive tranny and t-case out of a full size chevy... and the axles out of a late 70s wagoneer...

Ahh, the possibilites... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, hope this rambling helps....


Oh, I wont mention the money...BUT, I will mention the patience.... LOTS of it for this one...

HTH
Chase

i can buy into the other stuff, but not this. If you're going through the time and trouble of SAS'ing, why pick a D30? its no less work than a D44. but going D30, you instantly get several negatives, sealed wheel bearings ($$$), no hub lockouts, many are vacuum disconnect, some have the smaller 267x ujoints, weak brakes, small balljoints, weak 5on4.5" bolt pattern only jeep uses, etc. in most cases, a D44 can be had from the boneyard for as much as a D30 (sub $200 in my area). why bother with the D30, ain't worth it.

-Rob

I thoroughly I agree... BUT, as I said, the S-10 has something in common with the Heeps, the Diff is on the wrong side...totally opposite of any other 4x4s.. I understand the wheel bearing issues, etc. I had done this on my s-10, as it was easier and cheaper than reverse cut gears etc... I was a suggestion ..nothing more...
As I said, I used one on my s-10 fro a while...and NEVER had a problem with it.. and, as some here will atest to, I am nowhere near gentle with my vehicles- <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />..

Hope the clear that one up...

Didnt mean to start an issue...

Chase