Alright decision time...
 

So I finally got some cash I've been waiting for for awhile & I want some help in figuring out what I might get the most bang for my buck.

First the overall goal of building my truck is not to have the fastest or the tallest or anything in between. What I want is a truck with a decent amount of ground clearance for off roading but still have a decent daily driver. Something with enough power to run with the (Stock) Silverados as far as towing but still get decent MPG (currently getting 13.5 with a bad O2 sensor, so not worst then that but the more the better) And last to have a truck that will be reliable for years to come (that will be well maintained) and start everytime no problem. (And I do realize parts go bad with age not as much of a concern as day to day reliablity.)

SOoo I have a budget of $3000.00 (that includes all parts & labor if nessasary)
so the options are ...

A.) SAS with a transfer swap & 33's

B.) V8 swap (I do have a bare 400sbc lying around)

C.) PCM tune, Trans cooler, all exterior markers & brake lights converted to LED, 9in pencil beams for the front brush, custom underbody skid plates, & custom steel bumper, & possible winch depeneding on whats left.

Link to build page is in my Sig. Thanks guys. -Mike

Currently where I am->http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/...7/8aa9287d.jpg

I would try and fit a v8 swap with the sas within that budget. The v8 will give you alot better mileage and more power. And with the sas you can get a decent suspension setup that can handle a little more weight than a stock suspension. And then ship me your toolbox lol!!!

Well I'd love to do that but i don't know if I can to one or he other for under 2gs. That seems to be the bare minimum for ether a v8 or SAS swap. & I can build you a tool box just give me the specs that you need it to fit & wat not. Lol

Yeah it would be tight but I think if your thrifty and patient you might be able to pull it off. Either way I can't wait to see it happen so I can be more jealous lol!! And you better believe I'll be talking you up on your offer. I'll pm you tomorrow with specs so we can figure out costs and other details.

Eventually I hope to do a v8 and SAS swap on the Jimmy :) but honestly take it one project at a time. Would you rather have it lifted and better offroadability first or would you rather build and drop in a v8? I plan on starting with the v8 personally once I have a steady income again. If you look around for parts on the cheap on CL and ebay you can build a basic 350 (I know you said you have a 400 block laying around tho) for under a grand if it doesnt need machining. Granted thats a very budgeted build. I plan on sinking probably 2-3 grand in just a motor alone much less all the parts to put it in and Ill do the labor myself.

SAS really isnt too expensive if you do it yourself. Can be done for less than a grand. But i say the V8 and SAS as well.

Or another idea that would land you right at about 2-3k would be to turbo so SC your engine. You can usually find the 4.3 marine intake that you would need for about $500 (around here at least) and maybe throw a high performance cam in there then get the PCM tune.

If you want more power to tow a PCM tune alone wont give you a lot. Its either V8 or turbo or SC. Maybe if you want it to tow better throw a ford 9" under the rear with better leafs (chevy 63's?) but i would only do that if you do the SAS. With that you should be at right around 6-8 inches of lift. The axles are the cheap part.. usually less than 200 at a junk yard or craigslist

i think synergy or some other lift sight has a bolt on sas kit...for 500 or so.

94-04 Chevy S10 solid axle conversion kit

Yeah. I personally dont want to SAS until I can afford to do it how I want by building and locking my axles. Might be overkill but rahter be overkill than underkill and break ****. And I want to wait and see if that company (cant remember who right now) is going to start producing the coil sprung SAS kit instead of leafs. And I want the v8 first for the power to turn over 33s or 35s. Ill probably have 10-12k in my truck by the time its all said and done. Thats a rough guestimate though. Im toying with the idea of doing a 5.3 swap but I know those get a little more complicated. Its really all about your budget and how quick you want these things done. You can either use the cupla grand you have now and do it the "cheaper" way (nothing wrong with it) or wait save more cash and do it exactly how you want it. These are just my thoughts on the subject

Cochran- here's a sas kit that uses jeep coils http://http://shop.synergyoffroad.co...it-Super10.htm.
And I'm strongly considering doing a wyjammer s/c gen3 kit it comes with a 36lb spyder injector upgrade, performance tuned ECM for boost, & other extras. It's gunna be over my original budget but I can make it work. Soon to follow will be a cat back system and a transfer swap to a manual with high/low.

Cochran- here's a sas kit that uses jeep coils http://http://shop.synergyoffroad.co...it-Super10.htm.
And I'm strongly considering doing a wyjammer s/c gen3 kit it comes with a 36lb spyder injector upgrade, performance tuned ECM for boost, & other extras. It's gunna be over my original budget but I can make it work. Soon to follow will be a cat back system and a transfer swap to a manual with high/low.