4.3 here i come. one question though. has anyone thats done the 4.3 conversion mated up with a standerd tranny? if so, hows it goin now? i musta missed that post.

With the added torque of the 4.3, I'd find it hard to believe that it would be a long lasting conversion. You might be better off doing engine/tranny/transfer case swap. Then in reality you will only have to deal with fooling with the driveshaft. Anything else to do with the swap you are going to do any way (fuel, cooling, exhaust, etc) you might as wellcome in with running drivetrain. Fortunately running S-10/S-15 4WD are fairly easy to obtain for reasonably prices. Helps a lot with the swap. And I'd even switch to automatic, saves a lot of fabbing and makes the swap easier. It's an idea. Good Luck! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

4.3-way more power, probably better mpg too, an early 90s are the best
700r4-reliable, easy to replace/parts
np231-most desirable transfercase, look for an early 90s with a manual shifter

the 2.6 manual wont hold up with a 4.3 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

The members here that did this swap used the entire drivetrain out of the donor, Landraider, Don and a couple others..

A 4.3 would destroy a KM148 in short order.

I suggest you buy a running wrecked S10, and swap the entire drivetrain over.

Youve got a long list of adaptations to make.

Exhaust system, Fuel system, shifters for trans, and transfer case, throttle linkage, driveshafts, motor mounts, trans mount, efi wiring, dash/tach interfacing, starting system, charging system, power steering system, AC if youre going to use it, cooling system, trans cooler.... etc....

Lots of stuff to tackle.

found a running tpi 4.3,std out of a blazer. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> i`ll start it in a week or so. i`m not worried, ive got good material to fall back on & two mechanics who have 74 yrs of this kinda stuff between them. besides, this will help me study for my ase tests right? wish me luck. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> i do plan on swapping the entire drive train,as well as doing the suspension upgrades ive read. there`s alot of junkyards out here and no humidity.ive found six and three-quarter montero/raiders 1st and 2nd gens.

by the way, im asking if anyone thats done the swap has used the std tranny out the donor vechile and if they`ve run into any long term problems with any installation fab? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Six and 3/4 Montero/Raiders huh? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> I dunno why but that just had me laughing.....................

it will explode, the standard breaks with a 4cyl why would a large V6 work??

He has an a/t. The km148 is supposed to handle 300ftlbs of torque. I think the 4.3 has a lot less than that, like 225ish ftlbs.