sounds like a fun ride when you get it done. after I got home from AIT for the Army reserves in 1990, I bought a 74 dart sport. for the engine I bought I new stock 89 360 short block. I didn't know any better at the time lol, but I installed the mopar 292/509 purple shaft cam, factory LD340 cast iron intake, Holley 750 DP carb,hooker super comp headers.
727 transmission I built my self, turbo action reverse manual valve body, 10 inch 3500 stal no name torque converter
8-3/4 rear-end, 4.10 gears with factory sure grip, street 275/60/15 tires.
my car wasn't all that fast, would run 13.20 at 105 in the 1/4 on street tires, but was a blast to drive on the street. at the time I drove the car all year, even drove it to work on day with 8 inches of snow on the ground.lol
on the rear-end if you cant find a 8-3/4 or don't want to spend the crazy money that they are going for now. look for a 8.8 out of a mid to late 90 ford explorer. They take a little work to fit into an Abody, but you should be able to get one complete from the pick and pull for $200. the axles are 31 spline, have disc brakes and you can find them with 3.73 and 4.10 gears+ posi tracs. I am putting a 8.8 in my 96 Dakota race truck
here is a Article on what to look for and what all it takes to install one.
Sounds a lot like what i am doing except i am waiting until after high school to join the armed forces! Well sounds like you had fun with your build that is similar to mine so let's see how mine goes!
Ford 8.8 Swap
