Hi all. I've started a new project and figured I'd get peoples thoughts and opinions. It's an '83 S-10 2wd that I'm turning into a off-roader. So far, I've swapped out all the original S-10 running gear and replaced it with full width solid axles (planned 4.88 or 5.13 gearing) and a divorced NP-250 t-case, all from an '77 Ford F250 "hi-boy".I'm thinking either 37 x 14.50 Irocks or 38.5 x 15 Boggers. I have a built 350 Chevy small-block and th-350 trans I was originally planning to power it with, but considering I drive an '03 Cummins-powered Ram everyday, I'm thinking a 4-BT would feel much more at home, plus should get better than the expected 8-10mpg I figure I'd get with the gasser.

Since stock sux, I'd like to get an idea of what the potential of the little 4-banger is without getting too crazy. I gather turning up the pump flow / timing is in there, but what else?

While on the subject, the original stock turbo from my Cummins Ram is presently sitting in the box my new HTT turbo was shipped in. Would the 2003 5.9L stocker work at all with a slightly warmed-over 4BT, anyone even try it? Seems a waste to just let it sit on the shelf.

Anyway, thanks for listening to me babble on. From what little time I've had to look around, it appears you guys have a nice little site here. Hope to spend some time talking and learning from y'all.

 

Depending on the power of your 350SB, you will probally break the front axle from that ford often. The high boy if I remember correctly has a dana 60 rear(great axle) and a dana 44 front. Since you have a lighter rig the dana 44 might hold up with 37's fairly well. If you do get a 4bt, I would get a dana 60 front to handle it.

Also look into making that np205 in a double t-case set-up, multiple kits are on the market

 

The 350SB is a fairly stout engine, probably in the 325-350hp range or so. Nothing "racey" about it, just a decent combination of compression, cam and a little head work. I'd have to run a 2000-2200 stall converter (I have a short tail-shaft TH-350 sitting on the floor) to keep the engine happy. I could get away with a stock converter if I had to (cam's powerband is 1800-6000) and run at least a 5.13 gear I guess or change out the cam for something with a little less duration, but it's a good running little motor and I don't really want to pull it apart.

I've been looking for a D-60 front since I picked-up the old Ford. Not that they're all that hard to find, just that people want a small fortune for them. Especially the high-pinion jobs for the 78-79 trucks. Plan is to run the big-hub 44 for now (or whenever I get the project "done") and upgrade if I stumble upon a deal. Thought about throwing in a set of chrome-moly axles but with the coin I'd spend on those, I could get a D-60.

I'd always thought a doubler kit would be awesome but with the 205 being a divorce-mount case, I don't think I'd have the room for the whole assembly. I guessing the rear drive shaft would be way too short.

The only reason I'm even throwing all this junk together is the S-10 was given to me by my father-in-law and I didn't want it just sitting out in the field getting even rustier than it already is. I built the small-block a couple years ago from parts left over from when I had my old '67 Pro-Street Camaro and the th-350 was given to me by a buddy that was tired of tripping over it. The High-Boy I bought from a old farmer I used to work with for the princely sum of $80.00 and a 12-pack of Busch Light. I pulled the axles and t-case and sold the rest of the truck for scrap. I was planning on doing the whole project on a budget and up until now I was getting away with it, but my decision to hunt down a 4BT will likely kill all that, but I'm positive I'll be happier with the finished product with the diesel.

 

If you go with the 4b you might be wise to go no lower than 4.56's. If you have a doubler and no overdrive 4.10's might still be useable If you have em run em. Then see how much more 'gear' you need.