I'm in love with the 4.3 vortec. It just pulls and pulls and pulls. Then there's the semi-mythical W engine with even more torque than the vortec. I see no need for the v8. I used to love the 700r4 in the LC FJ55 with the 350. Nice low 1st, nice long o/d. 4.11's = a 2.89 in o/d.

I've had a couple of thoughts, but done no research yet, on using the stock awd tcase with a tcase reduction gearset in front of it to supply lorange. But then you're stuck with the 35-65 torque split. Guess better a std 4wd tcase, unless there's a lockup for the 4472BW awd viscous box.