2001 Chevy S10 Crew Cab: Dana 44 SAS, 37s, Built Right on a Budget
This isn't a mall crawler. A 2001 S10 crew cab got a proper solid-axle swap, Dana 44 gears, and 37-inch rubber—and it still works as a daily. The builder did it lean, which means the person who buys it won't be underwater before the first trail run.
The S10 is finally getting its due as a platform. Cheap to buy, simple to modify, and light enough that you don't need a 6.6L to move it. Prices on clean examples haven't caught up yet.