Hi everyone,

It took me awhile to find this forum, but now I'm sure I'm in the correct place. I need some input/comments on the Vortec v-6 for a swb Silverado 4wd. Quite simply - a good choice? Or underpowered? Here in Texas one can get a new 2009 swb 4 x 4 Silverado well equipped for about $22,000 which is my upper limit.

A little about myself and uses for the vehicles. I owned Chevy 4x4s SWB, always stick shift, from 1973-2004, when I changed to a Jeep Liberty, also 4x4. Good vehicle, but not a pickup. I got the bug to get back to a Chevy swb.

My 4x4 driving is moderate off road, usually rutted mountain roads in the Appalachians or northern Mexico, but not Jeep tracks. Defnitely I'm not a drag racer, mud bogger, street cruiser, or trailering special. I do take the trucks off road. The V-6 appeals to me because (1.) it's simple (no fuel management or the like), (2.) comes with a 3.73 rear end (the 4.8 l v-8 is 3.42), and (3.) has a cast iron block.

I would definitely want to add a transmission oil cooler as the new vehicles are all automatic. It does get hot here in Texas. Crew cabs and big v-8's are not an option because of size and cost.

So I'd like to hear any comments and input re. buying a 4.3 v-6 swb 4x4.

Thanks.

Gene Paull,
Brownsville, Texas

 

Its a good engine. I have driven mine hard for the past 3 years and its still running great.

 

I've owned three 4.3s ,1990 std 4 spd,1993 auto OD, 2009 auto OD.The 2009 puts 195hp@2800 rpm considerably more power than the previous two.My experience is that the 4.3 is reliable and durable.

 

We have the 4.3 in several of our work trucks and they hold up as well as the V8