Hi all. I figured I'd post this and get some feedback , ideas and comments on my current project. (BTW, how about a spot dedicated to mixed bag project questions?)

My father-in-law gave me (free)an '82 S-10 ext. cab 2wd several years ago that has been sitting in the garage for far too long. I pulled an old high-nickel 350 v-8 and th-350 trans (free) from a 1971 Monte a friend was hauling off to the junk yard. I was able to freshen them both up with some left-over hotrod parts from my last project ('67 pro-street Camaro-definatly NOT free) and now have a decent-running 325hp V-8/auto.

A few months ago, I was talking to one of the old farmers at the shop and he informed me he was going to haul his old truck to the scrap yard. Turned out to be a 1977 Ford F-250 "high boy" with a D-44 front axle, D-60 rear and a divorced NP-205. I purchased this "gem" for $80.00 and trailered it home.

Now I have the S-10, a built engine, trans, t-case and two axles. What now? My plan is to go with leaves all around to keep it simple, and seeing as the old S-10 is a bit on the rusty side anyways, I plan on using the sawzall to make room for the tires instead of lifting it to the sky. I would ultimately like to run around a 38-39 inch tire with gearing in the 5.13 range, but I would really like to locate a D-60 front axle before stepping that tall, and I see no reason why I couldn't set-up the suspension and most of the steering with the D-44 then upgrading when the time comes. I plan on spooling the rear and using something along the lines of a Detroit locker up front, and I imagine a winch will find itself a home on the front bumper before all is said and done.

I could use some ideas on leaf spring sources, (length, rate?) and a good way to set up a decent cross-over steering system.

Before my current job, I made my living working at a fabrication/welding shop. I have the knowledge, but my home tool choice is limited to a MIG welder, oxy/acetelyne torch, Sawzall, grinders and several large hammers    . Just enough to get me into trouble.

The truck is just going to be a toy. About the only thing we have around here is mud, but I would like to get it down south or out west for some good hilly trails and maybe some rocks. Nothing too extreme though. Just something the wife and I can enjoy without having to drag the rig home behind a wrecker every time we take it out.

Thanks for any ideas or comments. If you think I should go a different route that what I stated above, let me know. If you think I'm wasting my time and you think I'm stupid and ugly, whatever, I have thick skin.

Anyway, thanks for your time.  

Sounds like you're just a few hours of work away from a sweet ride.  The d44 will be ok with less than 40" tires and a light foot.  For springs, a very popular thing for toyota truck guys is to use chevy 63" rear springs, from 88 to 98 trucks.  Longer springs flex better and have a generally softer ride but are prone to axle wrap.  A traction bar of some sort will take care of that.  For spring rates, start with half ton springs and see if you like it.  Its a lot of guess and check.  Get a couple extra leaf packs so you can mix and match and have a totally custom spring pack built specifically for your truck.  If mud is your main terrain, don't be afraid of some lift too.  Keeping the frame and whats left of the body out of the goo will allow you to go deeper.  

Sounds like a great project.  Great score on the 77 high boy.  It will be a light weight rig, but I still feel that any thing bigger than 38" tires will be way too much for the D44.  For the suspension, you could  go with a 4 link to keep from any axle wrap and still use leaf springs but with shackels on both ends of the spring.  In the long run, you might be happier with a selectable locker up front.  Good luck, and when done post some pics to let us see it.