Planning stages of a BIG project.... Thoughts?
 

I have an 87 4x4 5 speed XJ. Plans for it are as follows.....

Low COG, max 3" lift, prob full width. The engine I am planning on is a 400ish Lb/ft, 350ish HP S/C 3800 series II GM v6. So the axles need to be STOUT.

Possibly T5 Trans, idk what transfer case yet. Just depends on bellhousing, trans, and transfer case bolt patterns and availability. Unfortunately, the 3800 carries a 60* v6 bell pattern instead of the SBC pattern like the 4.3.

Full, custom armor and bumpers, including a FLAT belly pan. Possibly a full exo cage or hybrid interior/exo.

The XJ is VERY tired, and the 4.0 is anemic compared to what I want. The body is solid, but everything else is just worn out.

What axles, trans, and tranx case would you run if you were building her? Of primary concern are reliability and off the shelf parts availability, along with budget consciousness.

you never mention tire size. and i wouldnt bother with a 3.8 unless you already have one laying around cheap. and i know many people who hate T5s, and others who love em.. so YMMV.

anyway, 60s or 60/14 and any sort of chain drive tcase. i have no idea wtf bolts up to a t5. budget consciousness is not a term you should be planning on using.

I already have the motor. Dyno'd out to 310 horse and 350 ish lb ft before, but that was pre intercooler. All it needs is a freshening up and a few plumbing issues taken care of. Blower is already modified to fit in a RWD setup as well.

By budget conscious, I mean to source as many parts from the junk yard without having to buy adapters and such.

The reason I was thinking T5 is I know the Camaros with 3800 engines had a T5 so I know I can get a bellhousing easily. They used T5s in the 4.3 powered S10 pickups with 4x4 right?

ok so if you have the motor, cool. here's some info from novak:

so basically, you need a custom adapter. do you want a manual or auto trans? a 4L60E would work nicely once you adapt it IMHO; or if you want a manual, NV4500. both arent cheap, but they wont break the bank at the junkyard.

No, I will not need an adaptor. I know for a fact I can get a bell to bolt an AX15 to my motor, but was hoping for something a little stronger. I just need to do some more research.

Check this out.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyot...ning-gear.html

AX5, yes. Same as the ax15? I'm not sure. You've tried it?

Late 90s dodge Dakota's with the 4 banger also carry ax15 trans, and have the same bell pattern.