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.