I think I've decided but need a little encouragement, information and advice.

I've decided against a 2.6L Turbo build with a Conquest core motor. The power I want isn't cost effective coming from a 2.6... combined with the experiences I've had spinning rod bearings, I have a feeling the build wouldn't last anyway. The cost after an MPI swap, engine management, etc... yikes!

I'm seriously considering a 4G6x swap from a DSM. I've been researching today and it appears this is a popular swap for the Mighty Max and D50. I assume this is because of the factory 2.4L option in the trucks. I know I have a carb'd 2.6L which is completely different, but I was reading into some of the similarities and it sounds like a "wideblock" 2.4 L 4G64 will bolt up to the bellhousing on my Raider.

Is this the case?

Does anyone know of this swap existing in a Gen I SWB?

My goal is a lot of power, decent reliability and retention of my 4WD.

What say ye?

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That rules out everything that has only 4 cylenders and leaves you with the project of stuffing that engine bay full of domestic horses. If you're up for a challenge a 4.7HO with a 545RFE and 231HD would be a sweet setup. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

5.0L Thread

Here's my choice. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The 2.4L is a great engine. The problem you may find is that the wideblock version is pretty rare. If your not in a rush and don't mind traveling to a bunch of junkyards to find one it's not a bad choice. I do doubt that building up a 2.4L costs any less than building a solid 2.6L or doing a V6/V8 swap.

I just bought a rebuilt turbo 2.6L for $400, put another few hundred in it making it "right" and now I know the engine in my truck is good for at least another 100k. I did cheat a little by using a lot of the old stock parts off my Conquest that is now converted to MPI. That got me a bunch of stuff for "free". Imho, buying & building even a mild turbo 2.4L for less than $1000 would be hard to do.

The domestic V6/V8's are a great choice too, but be prepared for a lot of work, fabrication, welding, etc.

The 2.4 FI is probably the best engine to swap into the montero, it's a bolt on and the wiring harness is super simple. We did one but we're waiting on a flexplate solution, be sure to get the six bolt crank version otherwise be prepared for customization. We got the seven bolt version before we knew about the crankwalk and the odball torqueconverter. So if you want to do the 2.4 swap make sure to get the six bolt crank model and the swap shouldn't take much time.


I wish i had a more recent picture but here it is 2.4 in the montero, it's way smaller than the 2.6 but the 2.4 should pull the montero around a lot better.




The 2.0 would be another good swap for the 2 door montero, Lots of aftermarket and cheap with lots of power potential.

Toasty,

Wher do you get the 6-bolt flexplate? AJ, who came to get bolts and other hardware for Pete D's Montero, removed 6 bolts from the outside of the flexplate on my burgundy 4-door. ??

R-

The downside of using smaller engines is that you loose all low end grunt. I'd say 5.0 or a 350sbc, that would make all the hours worth it in the end.

Lol at the 5.0 and 4.7 swaps. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Too much fab for me.

I actually have a little bit of experience with the DSMs. I've blown up more 2.6 Turbos than most people and I'm tired of spun rod bearings.

I think a 2.4 may be in my future. What vehicles did the 2.4L wideblock come in OE? What do I need to look for at the yards?

Thanks guys!

huh? six and seven bolt cranks came on 2.4 and eight bolt crank on 3.0 and 3.5. you must be thinking torque converter bolts

Mighty max pickups the later the better, look for six bolt crank.