Sounds like I'm not far off then. I wasn't thinking so much about the pulley alignment in the front though, that heads up is most appreciated. I don't have AC, but the alt and PS pump could be fun. If I have to I could just lose the AIR pump. If I go this route I was planning to do it with a full donor rig, so I'd have both sets of parts to swap around. The alternator is the only one I can imagine might be an issue for cross compatibility, but that can likely be worked out.

Right now it looks like the budget option is going to be the path of choice. However, I did find another blown up 2.3 based Trooper that I might pick up later as a project and 2.6 it. I'm also still digging through old posts here and gathering info. Once I get a good list of cross compatibility info and links to old threads on the subject I'll be sure to update this.