Crate Engine? Worth it?

[delsolkm14]

Hello all, been awhile since I have been on here, still sitting over in Afghanistan but looking towards the future when I get home for a few months in March on a long R&R.

Starting to look at parts for my K10 so I can have it up and running when I get home. I think I am going to just turn it into a fun truck, replace the inner front fenders, fender flares for the front, repair the rockers and cab corners then rhino line the underside, inside and outside(maybe just 1/4 way up and a cheap paint on top) (easy cleanup). I was planning on making it more of a driving big truck, but plan on getting a different truck for that, so only occasional fun for this one.

Here is what it looks like before I took it apart and what it looked like before I moved it to behind my shed -

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I blew the head-gasket prior to the tear down, and the engine in there is pretty well shot, so need to figure something out. I thought about having it rebuilt and all that, but since I am not there to pull the engine, figure a Crate Engine would be the easiest route.

What do you guys think if this setup? It is a 383 crate for $2595 shipped to the house.

Crate Engine on Ebay

Although I hate body lifts, I think I am going to do a 2" lift to help with some clearance with the 39.5" Super Swampers.

I do have to re-wire the truck as well, someone attempted to do something to it and hacked the wiring all up.

I would like to keep everything under about $5-$6k, which I think is reasonable if I don't go overboard and keep it simple.

 

[firebane]

Crate engines are the best way if you have the money to invest into a truck. New engine will be far more reliable and stronger than any old engine.

Don't bother with a body lift.. Go with a proper lift and you'll be much happier. If you can't do either then get smaller tires.

Depending on your running gear and ratios the 39.5s could be hurting you.

 

[350runner]

Go Ls and don't look back.

 

[delsolkm14]

Crate engines are the best way if you have the money to invest into a truck. New engine will be far more reliable and stronger than any old engine.

Don't bother with a body lift.. Go with a proper lift and you'll be much happier. If you can't do either then get smaller tires.

Depending on your running gear and ratios the 39.5s could be hurting you.

I already have a 6" suspension lift. The 39,5"s rubbed slightly before I trimmed the front fenders, but are okay now. I think a 2" lift will raise it just enough to have some peace of mind of not cutting the tires up.

Not sure what gears are in there, I only drive it about 15x total before i blew the head-gasket (deployments, school, schedule, etc). So I still have some learning to do on the truck as well.