Building A Trail Buggy

Just bought my neighbors 1999 4x4 short bed for cheap money(salvage title). It was in an accident but the only damaged is a crushed roof. It's beyond repair. The rest of the truck is strait. It only has 130K on it. It's has a 2.7L with an automatic trans. My plan is to build it into a budget dedicated trail rig, but want to cross every "T" and dot every "I" before I start working on it since their are so many ways I can go.

THE PLAN:
I want to run 33x12.50R15's, A 3 inch lift should work, but don't have a problem radiusing the fenders for tire clearance. Looking to do a 3" spacer lift in the front and 3" tapered block in the rear (Cheapest way). Also, a differential spacer drop kit with skid plate spacer. Next, after cutting off the rest of the roof, welding in a 4xinnovations 4runner roll cage to link the cab with the bed. (https://www.4xinnovations.com/84-89...ength_p_11.html#mz-expanded-view-216666770173). Also adding beefier skid plates underneath(looking for the cheapest source?). Not paying extra for powder coating or Chrome.

For the drive line. I'm adding a trans cooler with dedicated cooling fan and a finned power steering cooler too(not going with a steering ram set up for budget reasons and the small tire size). For gearing... I can't afford an Atlas transfer case, I have a family member who owns a rear-end shop. My biggest question is the axles. I want to put in lowest gear ratio(5:29?) that will work with stock axle housing. Anyone know the gear size? Also, do I have to swap out to molly axles or are the stock ones good enough for the low 2.7L engine power output and small tire size I'm using. If the axle shafts are the Achilles heal, is an axle swap a must do with the gear change? I was looking to do a full spool in the rear(source for one?) and a locker in the front. If there is any other swap "must do's"(rock sliders etc) let me know... on a budget of course. Your thoughts?

 

Looks fun. AFAIK the axles are pretty stout for stock power levels. Should be fun to find out!

 

BTW, that's a reg bed reg cab, they didn't make short bed reg cabs.