OK, Toasty, I figured out how to fix my Ubuntu issue. I was logged in to the site but somehow when I tried to post on the bbs it thought I was logged off. I went to my profile page and "expired my cookies" (sounds like something you'd only need to do after a long night of drinking beer). Then it let me log in from scratch. Strange...

4e: Thanks!!! How did I miss that? Will be studying this one for sure...

Kane: thanks for the SWB/4D55 review. Very helpful. Sounds like I need a little more power.

Spence: I think we have a winner. 4D56 sounds like too much work for the reward. Maybe just the basic 4M40 N/A model would be just enough power and get me closer to that 30 mpg fantasy. Sure would be nice to have the 220ft lbs of torque when I needed it though. You said stock transmission could handle the 4M40's torque? I like the idea of buying a wrecked or half-cut in order to have the whole drivetrain. My transmission is in nice shape but I wonder if I would even save anything after all the extra work to mate it to the 4M40...

Phil: Thanks for the real world fuel economy figures. Hopefully I'd do a little better between the lighter Gen1, stock tires, more highway driving (I use my Montero mostly for long-range canoe / camping trips). Yours and Spence's description of the 4M40 makes me really think that would be a great fit regardless of the swap compatibility.

I'll be gathering info for now over the next few months and will plan to drive the Monty as is in the meantime till she takes a dive. Then I'll be ready when that happens.

Very Very Thank You folks!

-Ray