Here's the situation (in brief):
I own 2 1985 EFI SFA 4Runners. I'm ready to turn one of them into a trail truck. I've already decided on doing the 63" chevy for rear and OEM rear springs to front. I have the IFS steering box and IFS rear axle.
I've already ordered 2 sets of 5.29's and lunchboxes (front and rear). High-priced-steer is also ordered. Since I'm physically weak and lacking in tools and shop, I've contracted a shop to do this work for me.

However, I haven't decided which 4runner to send to the shop.

Choices are:
The Auto. No air, less options. A few dents.
146K miles, no known mech problems. In fact, I've just replaced most of the braking system.
Manual, Probably too nice to trash on the trails. A couple dings in the tailgate.
~200k Miles. Electric windows, air, rear heat, cruise, good heat. Body in really good shape.

Both 4runners have good frames and (apparently) good engines and tranny's. I've been driving both on and off for months. No know mech problems aside from a few lube leaks. (I'm a noob tho, that's sorta why I'm asking here).

I bought the yellow 4runner first, with the intent of adding the parts I described above. Later, I bought the grey 4runner as a "couldn't pass it up" deal.

My wheeling habits consist entirely of mud and dirt.
EDIT:
Doh, I should mention that I'm not timid off road and body damage is nearly a certainty eventually. If you've seen my pup "new" and "today" pics, you'd get an idea. END EDIT.

I'd just as soon lift and lock the grey (manual tranny) 4runner if I thought I'd trash or hate the auto tranny in the yellow 4runner. My initial thoughts are to L&L the auto tranny truck since it's easier to drive off-road.
Is that what ya'll would do? I'm fixing to commit to more than a few grand of parts and labor and if there are any glaring errors or a no-brainer that I've missed, fill me in. I've really made most of these prelim decisions based on info found here (and on Rog's site) and my own limited experience.
Thanks in advance.

Video of my fav kinda muck... sloppy with a base.
EDIT02:
Video above is one of those optical illusions where the little hill with ruts just disappears in the video, looks flat. I hate that.

Got a couple of sweet rides and it sounds like you're doin all the stuff I want to doo <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> I'm partial to 5-speeds, thats all I drive, work truck, my truck, GF's car....I had an opportunity to drive an auto Yota while wheelin the other day and call me crazy but I actually like m=y standard lots better, I donno maybe it feels like I have more control or something <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

my $.02

Good luck!!! you're gonna have an awsome rig either way...

Sounds like you're looking for opinions so I'll give mine. I personally would set up the manual for off-road, but I'm a bit partial as well since my rig is one. If you're more comfortable off road in the auto, and it sounds like you might be. Do what YOU think is best for YOU. There's plenty of people who wheel auto's and love it. Honestly, I think either way you'll be satisfied. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Seeing as you can double an auto t case now, I'd do the auto.

For pure off road ease, I would do the auto. This will grab higher gears smoother in the mud and on hill climbs. You can always throw it into 4lo and go plenty slow and leave one foot and one hand free.

I love my 5 speed, and at times on some trails wish I had an auto. Some times, as on hill descents, I am glad I have my 5 speed, because I can put it in 1st gear in 4lo and know that I don't have to ride my brakes or clutch. However, if you can put your auto in 1st, then this does not matter.

I'm sure you have, but run your scenarios through your head and try to think of the pros and cons (write them down on paper as well).

I agree, making this size of an investment, you want to do it right. However, either choice is going to be awesome.

After looking at the two, there is no question, the auto gets trashed...The grey 5 speed is way too nice...

Thanks,
James

If they were mine then I'd probably build the auto to play and the manual as a daily driver.

Like has been stated above the auto will give you easier shifts in the mud. You won't have to try and decide weither to bounce the rev limiter or try and shift into 2nd and loss momentum. My 90 is an manual, and I love it, but I know that when I am really trompin it in a mud hole, I really wish I was in my old ford with an auto. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

I also have to agree that the grey one is just a little to nice, and since you stated that this truck is not going to lead an easy life, and that the trails will reconfigure the sheet metal regularly <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> then I would beat the beater.

Just my $.02

Either one is going to make a sweet ride.

And if you decide you would rather drive a manual, you could always look for a junkyard special and swap it in.

Good luck,
Matt

Once's very nice, one's not as nice...

Build the not-as-nice one. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks alot for the advice, ya'll.

Jeff, someone else (locally) mentioned doubling up T'cases. I'm thinking I won't need that kind of gearing. I'm assuming the whole point of doubled TC's is gearing?

OffRoadTexan, I'm with you on the idea that I need to evaluate diff scenarios and I think I've done that. I also like the 5 speed in my '83 pickup but, again like you, sometimes wish I didn't have to mess with it. I do still wheel in my ZR2, it's an auto and dingin' pleasant to drive.

I should have mentioned this, but I've got all the body parts on the "yellow" installed and after the mech work is done, I'll be painting it. So, I know it looks like crap (and ya'll are right, it'll never be nowhere close to the shape of the grey one) now, it'll look ALOT better when the body is done.

Again, thanks for the advice, it is a fair bit of cash and I wanted to make sure the auto would serve as a good base. I would have lifted and abused the grey one if there was something inherently wrong with the auto, but none of you said the auto was compromised in any significant way, so I guess I'm good to go.

Tucker, I was wondering about that too. I'll check out the info page here and see if the TC needs to be changed with the tranny, if so no biggie. If I trash the auto, I might just throw in a manual. Maybe not tho, I'll see how much I enjoy the auto.

I'll post again when the 4runner comes home.

You have a nice daily driver in the ZR 2. Build the yellow runner and have some fun. Get it covered with Line-x, then get it painted; the mud will wash off then. Save the gray runner, it is much too nice to trash out. Its time will come when old yeller dies.

YOU CAN!!! where?