Junk yard Jealousy

i scored pretty big for an up and coming four wheeler. i found an old 82 Chevy  single cab long box 3/4 ton pick up and got it for free . no motor or tranny. my grandpa is an electrician and he does all the work at a local junk yard at a cost better then cash, he get what he wants outta the yard for free. so the plan is that i go there with him and pick up a decent package for my truck    
im think a 454bb i already got all the block numbers. a a th350 trans even if it is a two wheel drive one i can still convert it. then maybe a dana 60 up front with a cooperate 14bolt for a rear axle. any ideas or suggestions to this build  

Call Offroad Design and get an complete lift kit from them.  They compiled all the goodies into one package.  You may to buy their front shackle upper mount if its not in the kit.  The contact DIY4X and buy the "Beyond 52s" front spring hanger.  Offroad Design, WFO Concepts, Offroad Unlimited, Sky Manufacturing, and AGR are just a few of the companies that can help with steering.  That may be the easiest way to go.

If you find a complete 4WD trans/transfer case, the use a GM Dana 60 front.  If you can only get a 2WD trans/transfer case, the find a Ford divorced NP 205 case  and run a 78-79 Ford Dana 60.  Its a high pinion and will help you drive line angles.

If you've got tons of $$$ to burn, buy an Atlas 4 speed case and a Dynatrac Dana 60 with a Dynatrac Dana 80 rear.

Good Luck, Have Fun  

Find the tranny and transfer case from a 4wd,and then the motor of your chosing. Dont swap out you axel right away to save you some bucks, unless you can find a dana 60 free-bee. Sounds like you should have fun this winter with your build up. With any luck and some hard work you could have her togeather for some snow boggin too! Have fun with it!  

Do you think the TH-350 is stout enough for the 454? I may admit that I am jealous, free access to a junk yard is a poor mans dream.lol  

I would go with a th400 instead of the th350 for strenght. Had a th350 in my 73 nova that was built up and always chewed up first gear.That was a street machine so I can only imagine what it would do in a 4x4 with a 454.  

I would use a built 700R4 before I would waste time with a THM400 today. It is well past its prime. A 700R4 can be built to take 700HP and has FOUR speeds and a much deeper first and reverse too. Far better setup for a 4x4 as it lets you run some serious gears and still cruise nicely. Between deep axle gears and deep first gear on a 700R4 you can have more than 50% more start out power in first gear than a THM400 combo that has same top gear cruise RPM. FIFTY PERCENT!!!  

yeah go with a 700r4 or nv4500 5 speed, if you want strait drive. np205 transfer case, dana 60 front.