4.3??? Would like to know more about it.

[__CHI__]

I always liked the 4.3s,they're kinda bulletproof,they don't really make much power but the reliability and fuel mileage is awesome. I have one with the nv3500(i think?) and the 700r4,the 5spd gets way better mileage and seems to be alot more of a torque monster for what it is,i can roast em in 2nd and chirp 3rd,the auto barely wants to break the tires loose lol.
my 5spd is the one in my picture,it was my daily driver for 2 years no matter what the weather was,I drove it through 2 Ohio winters and only got stuck once,and that was because a plow truck buried me lol,its dropped 5/7 and did fine with decent tires on the back and some extra snow in the bed

 

[flintlock]

I've got a 97 4x4 5 speed single cab with one. I've pulled a 60" diesel 31 hp 997 john deere lawn mower along with another gas 60" on a 18' tandem axle trailer no brake controller in 5th gear. It towed fine (given it was 5 miles down an empty back road). I have also hauled over a half a ton of dog food in it many times no problems, also in 5th gear. With correct tires, it gets 20+ driving backroads, in town, and hwy. I have driven many w/350s, and I haven't seen much difference. Mine has 3.73 which is ideal.

 

[kennythewelder]

The rear end gearing will play a huge roll in how the 4.3L preforms. Mine had 342s. My 97 Silverado has a 5.7L with 342s also. With stock 15 inch tires this performs well. With bigger tires, 373s are a better choice. As far as that goes, your rear end gearing plays a big roll in performance.

 

[Justin S]

I had a 94 C1500 with the 4.3, 5spd 3.42s and used to haul with it all the time. Once I towed a 70 Monte Carlo on a fullsize trailer from PA back to NY, did well for what it was! Right now I have a 96 K1500 4.3 5spd 3.73s and its a complete dog, but its been beat on. Also have an 02 Silverado 2wd 4.3 5spd 3.42s, 220000 miles and it runs great, decent power and gas mileage for what it is.

 

[skobuffs]

I had a blazer as my first car with the 4.3, and it was a good motor for that size, but I wouldn't want it in a full-size. I didn't really do any better on gas with it than my 350 in my 97 k1500...

 

[redfishsc]

I had a 1990 standard cab, longbed C1500. Had the 4.3, 5sp manual. It was a great truck. I was never a hotrodder but I did drive it pretty aggressively for a truck. I wasn't outrunning anything with a 350 and I got a lot better mileage than the dudes with the 305's (which I never understood why 305s even exist). I'd take a 4.3 over a 305 any day.

I have no idea what rear end was in that one. Knowing what I know now, probably 3.42 or 3.23 or similar.

 

[2 Sweet]

The 4.3 is a great motor, but modding it would be a waste of money IMO. I had two S10 pickups with the 4.3 and 5-speed manual, they were fun to drive and got 25 mpg on the highway. I'm sure they wouldn't have had any trouble towing light duty stuff.

Given the choice, I'm not sure why you would choose a 4.3 over a 350 in a full size, all other things equal. If you want something to mod, it shouldn't be hard to find a cheap truck with a 350.

 

[Bob L]

I have owned a lot of 6 cylinder vehicles over the years and my 98 rcsb with 4.3 auto is the second as far as power of all the 6's I have owned. My 96 cherokee mid size was surprisingly quick and towed great. My wife's 03 Grand Cherokee with the same motor is kind of a dog compared to the smaller Cherokee. I live in an area with very little hills so a 4.3 does just fine around here if I lived in a hilly area I would want a v8 for towing anything. My 4.3 tows my boats just fine and even the 2wd doe

You must be registered for see images attach

s fine one the boat ramps.

 

[Hogg]

I had a 1992 regcab shorty TBI 350 C1500, 3.08 open rear dif, full lo9ad Silverado. My girl had a 1997 200hp L35 V6 reg cab shorty 4l60e 3.08 rear gears open dif.

We would go to the drags and whjile my LO5 350 V8 would always rip her V6 out of the hole, that L35's top rpm power and lighter power to weight ratio would always get by me before the 1320 foot mark.

Her L35 was the sole reason why I found my 97 L31 reg cab shorty. Once the rear brakes loosened up, her L35 would do great burnouts.
The fullsize trucks got the 200hp@4600rpm/260lb/ft torque@ 2800rpm.
Much better than the 160hp TBI engine found in the 1995 and older FSC and S10 trucks.

peace
Hog

 

[MIHELA]

My dad had two, one in a 95' extended work truck with a manual and one in an S10. Neither got better economy than a 350 and the WT could barely go uphill in a headwind. It was fine in the S10.