Im sure this has been asked but cannot find a post in the search. How tough is a 3.5 to GenI conversion? I found a totalled 3.5 Montero 22k miles complete eng,trans,transfer case for $700 and wondered how this would work vs. waiting for a 4.3.

I'm no expert but IMHO, you'll probably be looking at the entire drivetrain...

Engine, tranny xcase will be from the donor obviously.

Front & rear dif's were upsized for the 3.5 by the Mitsu so I'd do the same rather than use the gen I diff for it.

You'll also want the ECU & harness from the donor obviously.

Pro's will be all mitsu stuff

Con's, will be more work because you're doing an entire drivetrain swap as well.

Very true. If I end up doing that much work I may as well get the 4.3 and have a bit more power.

LOL thats a pro?? The last thing I would EVER want to maintain would be a 3.5.

how wmuch does that butterfly valve cost??

There were a couple of 3.5 mits engine offered. The later one was a SOHC 24 valve with no butterfly n the intake track.

On paper it looks to be a decent sized multi valve motor but is not as complex as the DOHC 3.5.



web page

If the price is right and it only has 20,000 miles it might be worth looking into.

Do a search on the 6G74 or on my posts. I've thought about this swap in my Gen II and FrankR looked in to it, too. The 3.0 to 3.5 swap has been done in the 3000GT, so I'm sure it's possible here. Here's what I've found -

The 3.0 & 3.5 should have the same rear bolt pattern. FrankR tried to measure and thought there were a couple of boltholes different, but they done this swap in the 3000GT.

Both the 6G72 & 6G74 have the same bolt pattern on the crank. A flywheel or flex plate from one will bolt to the other.

The 3.0 heads will bolt on to a 3.5 block. On the 24V SOHC motors, both share the same head.

The 3.0 in the Gen I uses a distributor, while the 3.5 uses a coil pack.

Accessories are in different locations between the two.

The Gen II 3.0 & 3.5 use the same motor mounts but different adapters between the frame & motor mount. I'm sure this is due to the greater width of the 6G74.

I'm sure the drive train will hold up, if you're reasonable with the skinny pedal. Big Blue never had problems with his 4.3 swap and he used the stock smaller rear axle that's behind the 2.6.

Here's what I've always wanted to try but don't have the time or money to do. Take a 3.5 block, swap on the 3.0 12V heads (which includes the alternator mount and distributor), use the 3.5 lower plenum and the 3.0 upper plenum, use the stock 3.0 injection system, use/ modify the AC mount & PS pump mount from the 3.0, and use/modify the front belt covers from a 24V SOHC 3.5. This would give more power than a 3.0 without as many hassles as the 4.3 swap would entail. YMMV <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Well...except for those leaf springs he keeps bending from the torque <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

The leaf spring bending issue is actually prettty common. My last Raider (Red Raider) had it before I swaped in the turbo motor.

I'm not sure what the prevous owner did...But he had a monster sized hitch on it. The bend on mine happened at the front spring eyes, they had a bit of an upturn. Some type of snubber about 3" after the spring eye would help.

A number of other trucks have these limiters.

My first Raider never had the bending problem (Blue Raider)it just totaly broke a spring. Seemded to be a age / corrosion problem.

It's not something I would worry about. I was never totaly sure if it was a heat treat issue, abuse problem or what. I think the factory did offer a heavy duty leaf spring.

Just remembered, if he has a V6 Gen 1 he has coil springs... Never mind <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Need more Coffee <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

Kevin

Thats Exactly where mine bend kevin.

I bent them when I had my LTB's on there, and my 4.3

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> enough power to break a cv axle stub off at the differential!!, and bend those leafs. Thats a great idea about the leaf spring snubber.