My '88 Raider 2.6 5 speed is low mileage (115K) and has a healty 2.6 with fresh head. BUT it has major, major terminal frame rust and I'm tired of spending many hours welding in patches to pass PA annual inspection. I just bought an '89 Monte V6 automatic with bad engine, thinking I'd just swap in engine/trans.

Is this is feasible? Been reading archives till I'm cross-eyed, and am starting to wonder. Don't know if front axles will mate up, not sure what else might be misaligned.

Thanks guys.

There aren't many similarities between the two trucks aside from chassis wiring and body parts. While the swap could be done, it will be much less headache to repair the V6 engine and enjoy the added power that results. The power differential between the two engines is big, too.

HTH

Thanks for that info. It surprises me a little, since there was a Raider V6 and I figured the 4-door Montero was just a long version of it (I do know about the different rear suspension, though).

I agree the V6 is a much better engine. Since I like to shift for myself, maybe I'll look for a donor car with manual trans.

Yes, the V6 LWB and V6 SWB are very similar in suspension/drivetrain, but the 2.6 powered truck simply shares the chassis. Virtually everything else is different.

I wouldn't say the 3.0 is BETTER than the 2.6...just different. Each has its own merits as has been well documented in the archives. Upgradability with forced induction on the 2.6 makes it a GREAT powerplant. The peppiness of the 3.0 out of the box is pretty good (especially in the SWB).

Good luck!

Maybe find a d50 pickup body? Or just hold onto your 2 door until you find another rolling raider in good shape to drop your stuff into. Hate to see a good motor and drivetrain go to waste.

Lester has a Quest turbo swapped 2.6 in his LWB. He is in Singapore though. I know in OZ the Gen LWBs could come with the NA 2.6. His may have as well, don't recall, thus greatly facilitating the swap.

I would love to find a clean Gen I LWB with blown motor/trans and swap SWB drive train over.

One thing is many of us have been swapping over the V6 drive train components to our 4CYL vehicles. Drive shaft lenghts will differ and on the back U joint sizes as well as lenghts differ.

ALso the V6 engine mounts appear to be in a slightly differant location.

The upside is the transfer cases share the same mounting. The down side is the roll stopper and transfer case location is differant between the stick and the auto.

That said, I know the swap can be done but there is some custom work needed. Pretty much what Bill said. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I absolutly agree that stock the V6 is a better choice. If I was to ever build another SWB turbo 4 I would start with a V6. It already has extra sound deadening, bigger brakes, rear diff, front diff and coil springs in the back.

My advice? Fix the V6 of find a clean SWB 4 CYL from a non road salt area.

Kevin