picked up a new runner

[hoosier]

So this past weekend Luke and I ran out to chester to pick up a new DD/weekend warrior. It is an 88 with SAS. it has a 22re/5spd/dual stock cases. 4.10 gears 35" SS with tubes. It runs out ok but needs some work. the engine that's in it is tired and needs replaced. The guy I picked it up from gave me the original engine that came out of the truck. (it has A/C that will be hooked up)

First question is; There is no doubt of LC Engineering's quality and reputation, but is there a reason I should spend $1000 on their rebuild kit?

Second question is; is there any issues with running marlin's stage 2 or 3 clutch for a mainly street queen? (weekend warrior)

Third question is; What tires should I run? (35" range)

Forth question is; What is the best gear ratio of this rig? (I was thinking 4:88 but maybe 5:29)

any ways onto the pictures;

 

[hoosier]

When I picked it up it had the shock hoop ripped off and the frame was torn. I have not got the shock hoop back on (NO TIME) but I did get the frame fixed

 

[TRD270]

Nice platform to start out with, as far as 3rd and 4th question goes they come to preference. I think the best tires i've run to date are the maxxis trep's, but it really comes down to what you want to do with it. For a DD, exploration rig i'd look at an AT personally. If your going to get out and do a lot of crawling, I don't think you can go wrong with the trep.

Gearing same thing, we have an '84 with a LC Engineering Street performer motor its currently equipped with 4.88's and 33's which works well for it. We were running it 4.88's and 35in treps and it turned it into a dog. Treps are heavy tires so i'm sure that has a lot to do with it. Plenty of guys that like 35's and 4.88, I prefer 5.29's for 35's with my experience especially if your running the 22RE.

If you decide to go 5.29's I have a brand new set i'll make you a deal on.

 

[Kevin B.]

www.engnbldr.com for your rebuild kit. No need to pay LCE prices.

 

[hoosier]

Trd pm me a price I am interested

 

[TRD270]

Trd pm me a price I am interested

Sent

 

[Max Power]

I would go with 5.29 with a 35" tire. You will be really close to the stock feel with that setup. The 22RE has a hard enough time on hills as it is. I would recommend a header/exhaust while you have it apart.

 

[hoosier]

I think 5:29s will be the way to go. I don't know when I will be able to do it because of cost. So for now I will try to get my window switch installed and keep driving it as is

 

[sixstringsteve]

X2 on 5.29s

Hit up ilean for the install

 

[gorillaxj]

I second the enginebuilder kit.

5.29's no question for gearing.

I would look into km2's or dura-tracks for a dd/wheeler.

Looks like a great start!

 

[Gravy]

5.29 for sure.

BFG ATs for a DD/ wheeler.

 

[hoosier]

How do the bfg's do off-road

How many miles can I expect for the km2s

 

[hoosier]

So new question; do I put roughly 3k into building my 22re correctly (Mach work, rebuild kit, ect...) and I can swap the engines in a day, or do I start looking for a 3.4 to swap?

my dilemma is this IS a daily driver and I cant afford to have my rig down longer than the weekend. I am not looking for crazy power but to run out strong and reliability is the main thing. Has anyone done this swap? can you give me a general price point for what the swap cost? I am having a hard time finding a good candidate for a complete swap. any help would be great

 

[TRD270]

It would be a better candidate if it were a 3.0, I'd guesstimate close to 5k for a swap your going to be 3k+ just for a 3.4 motor

 

[dutchman]

FWIW, my 88 has the 22re, 5 speed, 5.29s and it moves my 35" MTRs well enough for me not too complain too much. Acceleration leaves a little to be desired, but it's to be expected.

 

[Kevin B.]

3k into a rebuild? I've never done one, but when I was budgeting mine out I was figuring more like 1800, and that was with a new rv head. The engnbldr rebuild kit is under $300, and I had a shop quote me a little over $500 in machine work (tanked, bored, decked, etc).

My 22re 4Runner with 33s and 5.29 gears was awesome (for a 22re 4Runner ). With 35s it would have been probably acceptable. That's with the five speed - if you have the auto, I wouldn't go above a 33 inch tire unless you enjoy being passed by semis over the point of the mountain.

 

[hoosier]

We if thats how much it is I will just run the re

 

[hoosier]

I ALWAYS over budget for things like this I cant afford to do it twice

 

[hoosier]

So I changed out my tubed 35s for my AMAZING 32s lol. Well all my vibrations went away so now on the hunt for some street/trail 35s

 

[hoosier]

just some quick before and after pics


Man those load range E tires with 80lbs is ROUGH riding but at least I can drive 65 without thinking the axles were going to fall off