Well, I picked up this truck for $1000 from an old farmer. I think I figured out why he sold it to me for so cheap now. It is an 88 3.9 4WD. I am selling my Toyota Camry and was planning on rebuilding the transmission, then thought maybe I should consider swapping it out for a 318. I know there are threads regarding this, I just want input on whether it would be better to rebuild this transmission or do the swap. A transmission rebuild is around $2500. It is quite the gas guzzler. Would I be wrong in assuming it would be cheaper to find a 318 with a 4wd transmission for less money? Would I also be right or wrong in assuming the mileage would be much better with a 318 since the transmissions are 4 speeds (auto)? Willing to hear suggestions. The truck is just sadly underpowered for the fuel mileage it gets and I would be willing to spend a little to do a 318 swap correctly.

 

How much longer is the O/D trans??? The 318 likely won't get you much in the way of fuel economy, but, the truck will be MUCH nicer to drive.

If you truck doesn't currently have an O/D trans, you will have to come up with something to take care of that. Couple pressure switches and some wiring would do the trick.

 

I have no clue how long anything is lol. I just know I would like to make it a V8, heck I would even do a carbureted one if it's possible. I just don't know what options are available since it's 4wd, or what will have to be resized to make sure everything works as intended if I go with another motor option. From all of the looking around I have done, it seems fairly ineffective to put money into the 3.9 to give it more spunk when you can find 318s for less money. It seems a lot of guys on this forum have done swaps. Has anyone swapped a 318 into a 4WD and kept the system operational?