Introduction

My 4.3 bit the dust is why I decided to go this route. The vortec 5.7 was used in the Express van and Savannah vans through 2002 just so you know. That will give you more possibilities to look at for a 5.7 if you go that route. The 4.3 engines were a little small for my taste and I figure a v8 should fit, it's just 2 more cylinders and about 5 inches longer. Same front dress and everything. The one thing I really didn't care for on my truck is the motor mounts, those things are total trash. GM should be ashamed.
 
My 4.3 bit the dust is why I decided to go this route. The vortec 5.7 was used in the Express van and Savannah vans through 2002 just so you know. That will give you more possibilities to look at for a 5.7 if you go that route. The 4.3 engines were a little small for my taste and I figure a v8 should fit, it's just 2 more cylinders and about 5 inches longer. Same front dress and everything. The one thing I really didn't care for on my truck is the motor mounts, those things are total trash. GM should be ashamed.
Ok Thanks.
I knew the Vortech 350 SBC was used in the cab over Isuzu Panel delivery trucks till 2000.
They all were 4-bolt main blocks the Vortech 350 .

A Vortech 350 is worth more than a 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, & 6.0 LS truck engines here.
Found just 1 today for $900.

The TBI 350 L05 used 1987-1995 is around yet & more made but the Heads are not as good as the 350 Vortechs.

Found out today that the CS144 alternator was used on 1996 - 1999 Vortech 350 Trucks & Tahoe.
Optional High Amp alternator. Fits in the same brackets as the lower amp CS130D.
I was going to rebuild the stock CS130D on my 1999 Chevy Tahoe but found a CS144 Core in Illinois.
Going to Build a High amp CS144 1- wire hookup for my Tahoe.

Not many Older Chevy & GMC Trucks left on the road here in Illinois.
S-10 Blazers are now obscure to see, nearly all died from 4.3 V-6 blowing up or 4L60E transmission failures.
SBC Tahoe & SBC Suburban not very common to see also.

You know how it snows in Iowa & Illinois Midwest Winters.
Those Modern Shitbox Crossovers will get stuck & be in the Ditches upside down on roofs. Some on Fire too.
Seen them all slip and slide and wreck.
Drove right past in my 1999 Chevy Tahoe 4x4.
$100K gets you into a brand new Suburban.
 
In 1996 My DD was a ‘96 Jimmy with a 4.3. By 1998 SUV’s were hot movers and by the 2 year into a 3 year lease I actually had positive equity at that point. I traded it in on a early model 1999 Yukon and still got back 0ver a thousand $ breaking my old lease - crazy but true
 
Well the reason I'm building the S10 is I want a hunting and towing vehicle. I priced some of the Gator 4x4's, Bad Boys and other bigger ATVs and figure that if I can build something that's as capable and still have it licensed for the road I'd go that route. I like the ATVs but my god they're proud of them! And they don't have to be towed to where they're going. Around here the S series trucks are still really common. Another thing about them is there are a ton of upgrades that I can do to make it even more capable. Things I have planned for this vehicle are that I'll upgrade the front differential to a cast iron unit, a cable shifted transfer case with HD components in it, front and rear lockers and backup camera/stereo. Eventually when everything is installed and working like stock I'm going to make a track system for it.
 
your certainly not alone in thinking that a used 4x4 truck (espectially the older ones you can get priced reasonably) with an engine upgrade/ swap ,
may provide you with an exceptional bargain in a parts chaser that easily doubles as daily transportation and hunting vehicle.
Ive been looking for a rust free 1996 bronco with a less than perfectly running engine
, that can be purchased dirt cheap,
for about 17 years now, As the reasonable size and engine compartment lends itself rather easily to an upgrade.
but I seem to be flat broke every time I see anything near bargain priced.

if you get to do a swap put it in the truck section
 
Well the reason I'm building the S10 is I want a hunting and towing vehicle. I priced some of the Gator 4x4's, Bad Boys and other bigger ATVs and figure that if I can build something that's as capable and still have it licensed for the road I'd go that route. I like the ATVs but my god they're proud of them! And they don't have to be towed to where they're going. Around here the S series trucks are still really common. Another thing about them is there are a ton of upgrades that I can do to make it even more capable. Things I have planned for this vehicle are that I'll upgrade the front differential to a cast iron unit, a cable shifted transfer case with HD components in it, front and rear lockers and backup camera/stereo. Eventually when everything is installed and working like stock I'm going to make a track system for it.
Yeah all those Rich Farmers around here have those 4 wheel drive Sigle and Twin cylinder engine ATV's here.
They cost $10,000 -20,000 cash.
Buy a Corvette.
Build a Drag Race Engine.
Buy a Harley Bike.
 
Well the reason I'm building the S10 is I want a hunting and towing vehicle. I priced some of the Gator 4x4's, Bad Boys and other bigger ATVs and figure that if I can build something that's as capable and still have it licensed for the road I'd go that route. I like the ATVs but my god they're proud of them! And they don't have to be towed to where they're going. Around here the S series trucks are still really common. Another thing about them is there are a ton of upgrades that I can do to make it even more capable. Things I have planned for this vehicle are that I'll upgrade the front differential to a cast iron unit, a cable shifted transfer case with HD components in it, front and rear lockers and backup camera/stereo. Eventually when everything is installed and working like stock I'm going to make a track system for it.
Those same guys are rolling around in $2-3 million dollar new Tractors.
Insane.
 
I can see the justification for the big farmers with the tracked vehicles but you have to have a really big operation to justify the outlay for those machines. When you figure the write-offs and the depreciation factors on their equipment they can get away with it. And I agree, what the manufacturers are charging these guys for equipment is insane. The wear components alone on some of this stuff is cost prohibitive, i.e, the tracks themselves. A replacement set can cost upwards of 100K and that's just crazy. The cost is just passed along to the consumer in the long run with higher food costs.
 
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