Where to start?

[MonsterEnergy]

Hello everyone. I've currently got a 98 xlt 4.0 SOHC, everything stock. Its got a little over 90k miles, and has been driven to the teeth on regular roads. I've had the allignment corrected many times, the transmission was replaced in its first 20k miles (someone thought it was a good idea to do highway speeds in 4Low). The engine hits 6000rpm's daily, and i corner quite quickly in it. What im wondering is, if i want to start an off roading project should i get a new engine/truck, or is this one in (most likely) okay shape ?

Any other suggestions about how i should start would be aprreciated too

 

[easttn94]

Sounds perfect to me! Actually, most of my projects are older and/or higher milage than yours, but bottom line is, if you don't mind a few dings, scratches, etc... then it sounds like you've got a great starting point.

 

[Creager]

98 SOHC? Start liftin!@!@!!@$#%

i dunno about the auto tranny, i think you should get a manual.

and put a solid axle up front.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

If you're beating on the engine and taking corners hard, lifting the truck up off-road style sounds like a recipe for rollover to me.

 

[MonsterEnergy]

well im not stupid.. (or at least not that stupid)... i would obviously not corner fast anymore, if i got my truck lifted Oh and saying i had lots and lots of time, how hard would it be to extend the engine bay, to compensate say a 500 cid enigne ? and how much do trannys/drive trains vary per engine size? The 500 cid would be a caddilac engine.. I realize this would be quite an undertaking.. but im just curious if it would even work, saying i could extend the engine bay. Thanks joe

 

[agallant]

my 4L SOC does just fine off road. I don't have any problems with it. The only thing i don't like is the direct ignition. as for putting a 500CID in it i think it would be quite a project but it is amazing what can be done with a plasms cutter and a welder. you would need a whole new tranny and t-case and more than likley front and rear drive shafts.

 

[jayhawkexplorer]

I can only imagine the financial nightmare it would be to first put the thing in, then pay for gas for it. I don't think the Ex's engine bay is nearly wide/long enough to reasonably accomadate that big a motor.

 

[MonsterEnergy]

seeing as v6 4.0 sohc's are like 232 cids im sure it wouldnt fit, but it would be awesome.