350 V8......Could it fit?

[Ascinder]

They make the TH350 and TH400 with the 4x4 tailshaft instead of the 2wd tailshaft. They also mate up to just about any transfer case out there. So there really isn't any reason to lose 4wd if you wanted to keep it. Plugging in combo like chopper listed would be a fantastic budget version of what I'm doing. The only part you'd suffer on would be emissions and gas mileage. Also, legality comes into play, at least where I live. The law here says you can't swap in an engine older than the vehicle, and it actually has to come in a vehicle made after your vehicles production year.

I will get started on a build thread I guess, but it's going to be slow. I take my time and really stew over my decisions, so don't hold your breath.

[Triathlete]

I will get started on a build thread I guess, but it's going to be slow. I take my time and really stew over my decisions, so don't hold your breath.

We aren't going anywhere any time soon!

Don't know the difference in cost...but, for links you might check THESE out!

[Ascinder]

Yeah, I looked those when I was doing my link research. Aluminum links are somewhat lighter than steel, and are basically more flexible than steel, meaning they will deflect and spring back undamaged. The vast majority of links people use are DOM tubing. While relatively cheap and plentiful, it can be somewhat heavy when compared with aluminum. The best compromise I've found is heat treated chromoly steel. It is almost as light as aluminum, and way stronger than either aluminum or DOM. It is actually comparatively cheap too. Another advantage is that if I get it from these guys, it is just a trip over the hill for me, so I don't have to pay shipping. He's a forum guy over at pirate4x4, here's a thread about these links:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=836035

As you can read in that thread, the chromo links are substantially harder, have almost twice the tensile strength and are a little cheaper($800 vs. $1168 plus shipping) The aluminum has the advantage in the corrosion department, but for those of in the arid southwest that isn't a deal breaker. Aluminum does look way cooler too though I may still go that route, but we'll see.

[Triathlete]

Out of curiosity is full hydro legal on the road up there? I know most states it is not.