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So I got a parts blazer with a vortec 4.3l and I'm pulling the motor and putting it in a 79 2wd luv.
What my question is what trans should I use? I want it to be a 5 speed for sure so my options are a t5 or nv3500 right? What have you guys used?

I've got an nv3500 behind my 305. The shifter lines up pretty close to the existing hole. It's a good fit. The s10 ones are hard to find but have better gears than the full size ones.

Ok thanks, how much do they go for junk yard wise?

$250 or less. I think I got mine for $200. Be aware, the full size truck versions take the 32 spline TH400 slip yoke, the s10 versions take the 28 spline TH350 style slip yoke. The s10 version has a longer tailshaft, so don't think you'll just swap them out later.

Also, be sure to grab a shifter. They're not cheap for this trans.

So what drive shaft did you use and what's the length difference on the full size over s10

I don't know of one that will bolt in. I used a truck driveshaft and had it cut to length.

i am rebuilding a 4.3 for swap into my 80 luv right now
i am keeping the 700r4 from a s10 blazer it came out of, rebuilding it and dropping them in together.

what year is the blazer? Vortec 96+ or the 95- model? mine is a 91 (non balance shaft engine) with non-computer controlled 700r4 (pre 4l60e name change) pretty sure the change was 93.
any tranny that was behind a chevy v8 will work behind the 4.3, t5, t56, th350, th400, th200, th700r4 etc... just make sure to use the right flywheel/flexplate.

what are your plans for the luv in the end?

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Luvless
1980 Mikado-Sold.

1993 Lexus SC400 my Daily
2004 Yamaha WR250F my new love in life
2016 Toyota Camry my girls ride

I think it's a 95 I'm not at shop right now. I want a 5 speed so I'm just going to call around for a nv, I have a t5 but it needs a rebuild so we will see.
I'm going to use the blazer rearend im pretty sure it's got g80 locker but haven't looked just got it to shop tonight

A truck drive shaft? Like a full sizes truck or a s10?
Also what did it cost you to have a shop cut and weld it?

you know... I don't remember how much it cost... And yeah, just a s10 driveshaft.

Ok so I'm trying to get the motor running good before i swap everything over and the damn starters out, dose the vortec motor take a normal 4.3l starter?

yes

Wow one of the worst starter jobs I have ever done but I got to hear the motor run for the first time.
It ran alright with no ticks or knocks the idle is choppy but I'm sure fresh gas and running it will clear that up

So I plan on pulling motor and put new head gaskets in and all other top end gaskets, I'll check cylinders but they should be fine compression checked out. Now the difficult stuff, wiring the engine, my plan in to make one harness out of the two. Engine harness out of the blazer with a sperate fuze block in glove box. All of the lights wiring will be the stock luv harness.

Anyone know an easier way?