One of my most beloved rides, a 95 LS montero is about done as far as having anything left to weld patches to on the frame. Drivetrain and interior are excellent.

I have a 88 Montero 2 door "shell" that was a 2.6 manual. It's not pretty, but entirely rust free from the the west. I'm thinking about a drivetrain swap just to make me a new toy that isn't going to fall apart anytime soon. I' really tired of replacing brake lines, patching gas tank and lines, welding patches to patch to keep the body attached to what left of the frame (anyone from the rust belt will know what I'm talking about.)

Has anyone done a similar swap? Wondering how deep I would I be getting...

Since you can weld, putting the V-6 mounts in place to bolt up shouldn't be too hard. You have everything to do it having a complete vehicle. Stash the V-6 harness into the 87, you will have to do an external pump. Transfer case???? are those electric in those late models??? it's going to be an swap, but you have exhaust, wiring, you know it all works, you are ahead of the game there.

This swap has been performed lots, at least in pieces. The 3.5L into the 2-door is what I'd search, starting with the AZ Crew page where LT is parting out something along this line.

Search SRTNate for a 3.5 swap into a gen1swb (Powell's old yellow peril)