I was looking at the Trooper manual, which only came in 4x4. It would appear that if you can find a T-5 from a 2WD Rodeo with the 2.8, you would have the easy swap, or at least an easier swap.

What I don't know, and it will take someone with a Rodeo manual or experience to answer, is whether such an animal (V6, 2WD) existed. If one existed, then you are going to have to figure out whether or not there are issues with the clutch activation.

Another option may be is to look for a P'up with the V6/T5 combo. I think that I have seen a P'up with the V6 and 2WD. Actually, I think that all you need is the bellhousing, as I am pretty sure that the T-5 has a detachable bellhousing.

I just googled BW-T5 and found about 60,000 hits. I made it through a couple of pages, or just enough to figure out that

1) Your answer is probably out there and
2) There are a whole lot of varieties of the T5. Some Ford, some Chevy, some mechanical speedo drive, some electronic, etc. I did spot one reference which said that some of them had a fixed bellhousing.

Good luck. Sorry, your answer evidently requires a higher pay grade than mine.

I know I had a V6 2wd Rodeo, but it was a '94 which had the Isuzu-built V6 rather than the GM-built 2.8 or 3.1 (which is what the Rodeos came with, rather than the 2.8, I believe). The question I can't answer is whether the later 3.2 would bolt into mounts for the earlier 3.1 or the 2.6 or not.

James

Here's an old post with info about stuffing a 3.2 into an older rig.

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB68&Number=549969

Chad Hunter took a 3.2 drivetrain out of a Rodeo and swapped into an '87 Trooper. I'd imagine the same principles would apply to your swap.

Here's some more info I saved about that swap, can't seem to find it in a posting anywhere:

"Chad Hunter
Full Member
Posts: 431
From:Highland,UT,USA
Registered: Jan 2000
posted 08 May 2001 12:15 AM

I have a '94 3.2 in my '87 trooper. I used the '94 tranny as well. The crossmember is in the same place on both trucks. I cut off the rodeo's motor mounts and welded them in my trooper. The motor fits great and it looks factory. The only trouble is that the e-brake won't work with the v6, I'm still working on that one. If you can find a good donor vehicle I think that this swap is a good option."

BTW the T5 tranny is only found in 2WD Rodeo 3.1 applications. AFAIK no 2WD 3.1 V6 P'up was ever produced. The 2WD GM 3.1 in the Rodeo does have the starter on the pssgr's side.

The 4WD Rodeo and P'up's with GM 3.1's use the MUA5 tranny and of course have engine/tranny setup with starter on driver's side.

F.Y.I., it is possible to swap the entire front bellhousing/trans case assembly from a GM-V6 MUA5 tranny onto a 4-cyl MUA5 tranny. The 4-cyl tranny's output shaft is identical to the V6's, except where the shaft enters the pilot bearing in the 4-cyl, or bushing in the 6-cyl crankshaft.

If you swap the V6 case onto a 4-cyl trans, you'll have to machine a V6 pilot bushing to accept the larger-diameter 4-cyl tranny's shaft. A simple task for a good machinist.

A lot of work just to keep the back end of your 4-cyl tranny & transfer case, but from what has been posted elsewhere, the 4-cyl tranny has a slightly lower gearset so you might like that for crawling. And if you were to find a blown V6 tranny with good case, it'd be a good donor for parts.

Otherwise it'd be much easier to find the V6 drivetrain.

BTW, IMHO for the amount of work you'd go thru swapping in a 2.8, you'd be better off doing the same thing with a 3.4. Much more power potential than a 2.8.

If you can find a 3.2 4WD drivetrain it's probably about the same amount of work as the 3.4 swap. Just remember that rebuilt heads/valvetrain for a 3.2 probably will cost more than a brand-new GM HT 3.4 crate motor.

Something to be said for Stone-Age American Iron!! patriot:

Cheers.........ed

Thanks for all the replies. I agree that the 3.4 is the first choice. And if one is available before swap day, which is very soon, then 3.4 it is. 3.1 is preferable to the 2.8 but I have had a lot of good service from S10 2.8s.
The point on old American iron being cheaper to work on is also a factor in this swap. The old 2.6 has performed well but now needs headwork and I am reluctant to just rebuild the head with 180,000 on the motor. Thanks again.

Phil

Really, unless you suspect some other issues in the lower block of the 2.6 for some reason, there's not a serious concern on the mileage, I would say. The Isuzu 4s are pretty stout motors on the bottom. That said, they are less than thrilling in power generation and such, but if it's only the mileage that's holding you back from a head job to put the 2.6 back on the road, you might want to consider the possibility. If not, please document the swap and share it with the rest of us for the next poor guy wanting to know how it goes! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

James

Jezeric, and all others , thanks for the input, I have decided to go with the Chevy V6 swap. I will document the adventure. I imagine someone will find it useful.

Sent you a pm