Thoughts on 4.3L V6 in a 4x4 Silverado?

[jmgtp]

I have 3 cars, and I am looking to trade in my Mazda6 for a truck.

I've been looking at Chevy Silverados in the 2003-2007 range and only 4x4s.
I drove a 4x4 4.3L V6 Silverado last night, it was a 5 spd manual. The truck had some rust on the panels that was turning me away but I took it for a ride to see how the 4.3L felt.

I was not impressed.

I was expecting quite a bit of torque since I believe it is rated around 260 ft lbs. It felt anemic and I had to really drag out the gears or it would bog. The motor sounded ok and ran smoothly so I am not sure if there was something wrong with it or if the 4.3 is a little too weak for that truck. The very tall gearing did not seem to help. How are they behind an auto trans? I'd prefer auto but would settle for a manual if the price is right.

Anyone own a 4.3 truck? Thoughts? Was this one a dog because something was wrong or am I expecting too much out of it? I'm considering V8 engines as well since the fuel mileage difference does not seem to be THAT much between the two. Can I expect 15cty/20hwy mpg out of a 4.3?

[ikessky]

I have a '92 with a 4.3L with an auto trans and 3.42 gears. Yes, they are dogs in a full size truck, I don't care if it's a TBI like mine or a Vortec in the newer trucks. However, it serves the purpose that I bought it for which is to haul firewood. I installed an add a leaf and have loaded it down to the point where it is almost hitting the bump stops and it has yet to let me down. It's not the fastest truck, it can't squeel the tires, and it won't win any beauty contests, but it gets me to work every day and hauls the loads I ask it to.

Side note, I hope to be able to start a little bit of a resto project on this truck and will be building a 350 for it.

[pocket-rocket]

I wouldn't do a V6 in a full size. It would be like my Ranger with the 4cyl and the old 3.45 gears... At least with the 3.73's it can get out of it's own way and grab tire in 2nd now with that whopping 98 hp.

[jmgtp]

Yup, I've driven two 4.3L Silverados now, both were manual trans and one a 4x4 and the other a 4x2. No balls.
I'm considering an S-10 with a 4.3 but honestly the plan is on hold till the spring. I was in negotiation at a dealer for a 5.3L Silverado and they offered me $1,500 less than the wholesale value of my Mazda on a trade, horrible! The car books for around $6k on a trade and they offered $4,400 - no thanks! I'm going to try to sell it outright in the spring (pending the grand prix is running and reliable by then!)

[pocket-rocket]

I've done a rebuild on a 2k Sonoma 2.2, worked on a mid 90s Vortec S10-SS and an engine replacement on a late 80s Blazer 4x4. I'm really not that big on the way that GM set those trucks up. The 2k drove really nice, but as far as the way it all went back together on the Sonoma and the Blazer, it wasn't a lot of fun to work on. So far my Ranger has been a breeze to work on compared to those trucks.