FNG from Maryland

[-irwin-]

Hey guys came here for some advice on a build. I have a 90 Ranger 4x4 Xlt extended cab with a 2.9 and a manual trans. This was my fathers truck that he loved since it was brand new and the vehicle i learned to drive in, when he passed i inherited it and drove it bone stock for a while here and there. a couple years back the trans blew and i made the decision i wanted to rebuild the truck into a good reliable performer for the next 20 years and 160k. I want to use the truck for expedition purposes, I love the idea and the look as well as the fact i could hunt fish and camp out of the truck. like i said i want it reliable so i can take some trips over the next lord knows how many years (cant see myself parting with it) but i want it useful.
I know we replaced the rear about 3 times with junk yard rears, and im thinkin that i might do the explorer swap I've read about... 4.10s would be really nice! the suspension is about rotted out so i would like to do a nice lift that is usable and RELIABLE (notice a trend?) dont want to do a body lift, instead, since i do have rust issues in the fenders im thinking of doing fiber glass fenders with 3" flares... hoping to run 35s with about a 4 inch lift. i would like to keep this build simple and im not sure about how involved some of this stuff is so i was thinking about keeping the 2.9 but rebuilding it and the trans... although is that the best idea? the ac broke about ummmm say 13 years ago lol and honestly i rarely use ac anyways but i was thinking of using the space to run a second alternator. if i do rebuild the 2.9 are there any real power adders that make sense? headers? planning on running a snorkel... a chip? cant really find much out there. thinking i will run a utility style cap with a small bin on 1 side and reach through on the other with the door in the rear no tailgate.
i will say i can wrench pretty well but have to do it in a driveway my welding skills are ummmmm well im good with a grinder haha so i wont be welding my own suspension, but i do own a bit of a home machine shop with a few lathes and a small mill.
any help or direction would be greatly appreciated. i know i typed more than a mouthful there but kind of wanted to get it out there so my direction would be known.

 

[-irwin-]

http://www.mcneilracinginc.com/off-road-fiberglass/ford/ranger/1989-1992-ranger/

 

[countryboy]

if you want a little more horsepower and a good upgrade u might want to swap a 4.0 on there. 35's with a 2.9 and 4.10's you might noy be so happy

 

[-irwin-]

i was thinking of just getting a donor explorer for the axles anyways guess i could get the motor and all too i was kinda thinking of going auto as well so i would have the wiring and all. hmmmm what about like the i know my 98 explorer sport had the 4.0 sohc would that be more difficult? and i think it had a 5 speed auto... i know the sohc had more power than the efi.... dont know a whole lot about the swaps. would like to get a single donor vehicle that has all i would need