When you own an 16 to 20 year old truck in the shop is its normal state.. Till you get it stabilized.

Then hopfully it only visits the shop for checkups and mods.

My new Raider is gettng the top to bottom cleanup / freshenup, starting wth brakes and suspension.

Every bushing on the front end, leaf spring bushings, tie rods all get replaced. The motor will get a teardown for inspection.

Any of the engines discussed can be made to work properly and reliably.

A 4.3 is nice because its hard to beat displacment and GM has done a lot of refinment to reduce engine friction and get good power out of a pushrod design.

The 3.5 is nice as well. Four valve per cly and a bunch of modern fearures, like a one piece bearing cpa put it up on the hgh tech modern list.

The 2.6... Well its an old design using old tech (the 4.3 has a similar situation with its valve layout) but it's at least a hemi. Its small is displacment but has a very easy rout to go turbo. It is a long stroke motor so its does ok for torque (for its size) and a lot better wth the turbo.

I would be happy wth any one of these in good condition in my SWB. I already own the 2.6, so it makes sens to stay with it.

Kevin