that's pretty much what we're banking on, gary. speaking of banking- in order to get started on those, all i need is a t-case and some first-run cash.

morgan, i've seen the SAS-ed Sportages from across the pacific, and here's what i have to say- i've seen about 4, maybe 5 done in both Korea and Malaysia, combined, but if you pay close attention, it's booty-fab. bad weld jobs, link designs not very well thought out and leaf designs i wouldn't want to be anywhere near. but yeah, they got it done first, but then again, they've had Sportages over there since at least 1992. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

The Buick 3.8 liter with T700 4L60E tranny with a Tacoma tcase should be where you guys are heading. Engine is about 2" shorter than the Kia (= electric cooling) and the tacoma gear driven Tcase can be geared down to 5:1 if you really want.

Just had the two diffs hoisted into my car last night. Heavy!!!!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> (~300lb rear + 350lb front)

why not go with a 4.3 v6 like out of a blazer or s-10 p/u?
i changed my s-10 fom fuel injection over to carb.eldebrock makes an intake manifold. i also installed a msd distributor, coil, and 6a ignition box so no need for computer.from my understanding is that the 700r4 trans is also stronger and has a lower ratio for 1st and 2nd gear. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />then you can go with an aftermarket transfer case and pretty much run whatever gear you want.

I noticed that, too. They're like the rednecks of Asia. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

I figure all I need is a cheap welder, a grinder, and a couple of axles and I'd have at least as good as the Sportage over seas. (well... I guess I don't really need the grinder - booger welds are tha shiznit is Asia.)

i am seriously considering purchasing a sportage witha blown motor at my dads shop for like a hundred bucks and doing the engine, tranny, tranfer case, and diff swap. Dave and Rob how long have you been working on yours? i know daves is a daily driver. 4.3 and 700r4 out of my s-10. any ideas on transfer case and diffs?

How did you calculate that, Rob? Every time I've calculated that, I've discovered that the 5.71s would be under-geared compared to stock (i.e.: less torque, higher crawl ratio.) That was one of the main reasons I am not seriously considering Yota axles for an SAS on the Sportage, that, and they're a bit too narrow and I wouldn't want to spend the $$$ to widen it.

Hey Dave and Rob something maybe for you to look into for gearing not sure but ya never know. Suzuki is making a 2.0 adapter kit for the samurai trans and transfer case. Now before yall get excited this is the suzuki 2.0 maybe worth checking into seeing how you can now get 8:1 gears for the samurai tansfer case. Here is the link:
http://www.rocky-road.com/zukworks.html

Or something like this...
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=395083

Keep in mind guys, low axle gears and extra low t-case gears, like the 8:1's loose alot of strength, it's okay in a light a$$ sammy buy most sportages have a lil more to them.

As far as ease, I feel it would be easier from a fab standpoint to swap in a two-wheel drive tranny, and use an OTT divorce adapter for a toyota t-case or dual t-case, and a super short shaft between the 2wd tranny and t-case and you've got pretty much a stock drivetrain and don't have to go through the hastle of wiring, fuel, cab mods, just fab up a cross member, some remote shifting linkages and you're there...

Agreed, but It dont hurt to dream.

How bout a Chevy V6 - B&M Blower - T18 - Atlas twin stick 4:1?

That sould get not only way low but with twice more + power.

I suppose I should wait to kill the stock motor 1st = only got 17400 miles on it. Plus another 10 or 15k of funds. Not gunna max out my credit cards.

It's all paid for @ somewhere around 40k invested, counting the cost of the Rig brand new for 14k / not counting Labor of course. Prolly in the 300 hour range into it.

Some people are <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> SICK!

Thought about that = Would have to run a 2WD trans - Then a stubby shaft to the T-Case. The biggest problem it ya would have to 86 the fuel tank cause the Sammy T-Case rear output is offset to the rt more than the Kia = I allreddy knocked off the rear D-Line balance weights on the 1st shakedown from hittin the tank = Hammertime for clearance.

I seen the 8:1 = Awesome!

Then @ least in my Rig the rear D-line would be real short. Too short.