Hey so I am picking up my 1986 samurai (dont remember which edition) this coming week, and im new to the forum

I'm mainly a subaru guy but Im building my first truck, Car is completely stock for the most part and the motor runs strong

any recommendations to first preventive matinence? also I plan to turn this into a complete offroad capable and main thing is reliable beast.

I am interested in putting in Dana 44's, 60's or even a rockwell axle with top mounted drive shaft

First thing is SPOA, anything recommended to go along with this first mod? and what motor should I be looking out for? vortec v6's are popular I hear but I want something like a chevy or amc small block. I tend to over do things sometimes

Welcome, there is a lot of information on the forum, have a play with the search button. Preventative maintenance - good service and don't forget the fuel filter. If you go SPOA then a Hi-Steer or similar linkage seems to be the way to go. Not many people here running big motors, usual swap is a 1.6L Track/Kick motor. Maybe not a big powerful engine but it hasn't got a lot of weight to shift.