[2148]

Well I haven't been on this forum for a looooong time. Anyway with all my other projects finally completed, I can now get started on my Samurai. I have a 2000 4.3 V-6 out of an S-10. I got the harness from FI.com, so I'm good there. I'm still debateing on which tranny to use. I have a fresh TH350, but I really want the OD gearing of the 200R4. This question is to you guys that have done this conversion already. Is it neccessary to lift the body for clearance ?? If so how much ?? I rather not lift the body, then again I didn't want to clearance the body either. I pulled the body off in order to reinforce the frame. If a body-lift is neccessary, I'll build new body mounts with the lift in them already. Also how you 4.3ers tranfers cases' holding up ?? I was told by different places that they hold up well with a slush box no problem. Anyway if you guys got a second, give me some info....Thanks !!

John

 

[794]

I was thinking of a 4.3 swap last month when I ran across a 2000 4.3 for $300. After some reserch I saw either a 2" bodylift or major tranny tunnel reconstruction was in order to fit the 200R4. I also read that the front driveshaft comes in contact with the trans. pan which needs to be modified. All of these things can be fixed by someone with the right skills, I just didn't want to run a bodylift or cut my floor up.......yet

by the way...welcome back

 

[579]

i just bought an "88 that had a lightning conversion kit swap done years ago--has been used mainly for street up until now. here's what i've found so far:
--mine has a spoa & a 3" body lift--& has 32x11.50 bfg at's. i'm gonna raise the motor mounts & trans (2004r)mounts up about 1.5" a& rework the t.c. bracket that lightning conversions supplies to raise the t.c. up about 3"
i don't see where the body lift is necessary & don't beleive the tunnel will have to be reconfigured.
--as zuk 88 said, the clearance between the front shaft & trans pan & also between the front diff & oil pan is tight--mainly because i have sagging springs. i'm gonna go either rears up front & cj rears or wrangler all around & fab my own mounts with the idea of moving my front axle forward at least 1.5" to help with the oil pan clearance problem. i think the front shaft will clear the trans pan fine once i get some lift back.
--with the 32's & stock gearing i'm turning about 2800rpm at about 72 mph--if you use a th350 you're gonna be turning very high revs at hwy speeds due to the t.c. reduction unless you run 35's. i plan to run 33" swampers which should lower mine about 200 rpm or so.
--from the little i've driven mine so far--all the headaches will be worthwhile --the power is GREAT!!!
GOOD LUCK!!!
frank

 

[945]

can you take a bunch of pictures for me and send the to [email protected]

 

[579]

yes, but it'll probably be this weekend before i can do it. any thing in particular you want pics of?
frank

 

[945]

everything you can think of

then the rest of it LOL

starting to collect all info for the same thing

 

[794]

In reply to:

yes, but it'll probably be this weekend before i can do it. any thing in particular you want pics of?
frank

cueball
88 w/4.3

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like to see pics of a 200R4 in a stock trans tunnel with no bodylift....LOL

 

[Guest]

i have a 200r4 if you need one, pluss all of the other parts that you need to make the trans work.

 

[2148]

Very interested in the tranny!!! What "other" parts are you talking about ?? Where are you located ?? You can e-mail me direct if you wish. Thanks !!!

 

[Guest]

I'm with cueball, you don't need a body lift to fit the 200 tranny in place. I have the 4.3 conversion in my 87' with no tranny tunnel work done. The only thing you need is a small hole in the tunnel near the transmission coolant lines.


Brian

 

[877]

True, I couldn't see the need for a lift either. The only reason would be that the engine isn't placed low enough to clear the hood. Mine sits as low as possible (without messing too much with the mounts and possible clearance issues with the oil pan) and it clears the hood by at least 2-3 inches. I'm running a manual tranny (NV3500) and the only work that needs to be done is to trim the very front of the tunnel, just to clear. Might not even need to but I may do so anyway just so there isn't any problem with engine movement, etc.
If it were me, and I was dead-set on using an auto, I'd use the 700R4 mated to a Dana 300 case. I actually had the 700R4 but sold it to stay manual.
Good luck and keep everyone posted!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[1500]

When i did mine it had a 3 inch body lift in it i dont think it would work well without it. also i had to modify the floor pan. Never had a problem with the stock tcase and i put a shift kit in my 200r4 too and it shift hard as hell. Wish i didnt put the shift kit in cause it blows the stock rears like nothing. I had mine on eaby but i went to start it up yesterday and its leaking water again somewhere and im sick of messing with it so im selling it the way it sits for 700.00. The body is pretty much rust free. Also i may be selling a 95 tracker too cause i dont have the title. Think im going to look for a 95 sami.