So here is the plan.

• Increase the amount of space inside the vehicle so I can better fit a second row seat for the kids
• Increase the wheel base of the vehicle to improve on-road ride comfort and off road performance
• Accomplish both of those with out effecting the approach and departure angles
• Reduce the engine noise
• Reduce engine operating temps
• Maintain similar power and fuel mileage

So to achieve these goals I am going to

• Build a 105" frame.
• Modify a 109 tub to fit the 105" wheel base
• Install a GMC LS engine

In conjunction with the frame stretch I am going to place longer rear springs up front, and I am going to use wider D-110 armored car axles front and rear.  These are the Salisbury (Dana-60) axles.
The engine I found is a 2007 5.3l aluminum V-8, 70k miles and came with the automatic transmission and transfer case.  I pulled the engine myself and got all of the computers/sensors/fuses/wiring/etc.

I also acquired an old Series 109 safari roof, tub, seat box and hard top, a S-III bulkhead, 88" roof sides with sliding windows,  and a S-II bonnet and radiator support.  Disco seats, RRC stearing column, S-III dash components.  Power steering using a Scout box and GM pump, hydro-boost power brakes, discs up front (maybe on the back axle, have the parts), stronger axles, auto-trans w/5-spd O/D, lighter frame, long parabolic springs on all 4 corners, yeah I like where this is going.

A friend here in CO helped me with the frame.  This is a IIa 88" frame that I am lengthening and modifying for the suspension.

Gathering all the bits and pieces