Ok, For starters, All the Eagles Ive got are automatics, all of em are Chrysler 998s (all but the same as 999s used in Jeeps) Anyone wheel reasonably heavily with one? My two buddies have Sticks, and I am Looking to be the Oddball of the crew, Just because I have a decent supply of the automatics and beesides, Im planning on building the Rig with plans to have a stick shift be an option. So if I dont like it, I'll swap it.

So!- How well do they hold up offroad? do they get overheated or die from ingesting water......?

What are your tricks for making them work for off camber and deep water crossings, other than Leaving em at home and driving a stick.

Understand my options here, 258 AMC 998/999-Dana 300 in a scout chassis or 258 T150 Dana/Spicer 20 in the same chassis. I cant afford the Np435-Dana300 that I really want

I doubt seriously that I will cross water deeper than skid pan depth, but I want to err on the side of caution.

Thanks
Jesse