4.3 GM V6 motor, 700R4 Automatic, 4WD. Driven just 33,000 miles since 2005

1987 Dodge Raider

1987 Dodge Raider GM 4.3 V6 Conversion (without AC) VIN: JB7FJ43E5HJ031109

I've owned this vehicle for twenty-seven years. The final full GM 4.3 V6 conversion was finished in 2005 and took over four years to complete. The rebuilds of the 4.3 engine, 700R4 transmission and New Process NP207-C transfer case each have less than 33,000 miles as do the driveline components. The truck retains its stock suspension as I used only for hunting and camping. It was not intended to be a mud buggy or harsh off-road vehicle and it has never been abused.

This conversion is a true DIY project and I completed all the work in a 2-car garage while working full-time and without the benefit of a lift, welder and sheet metal tools. I'm no professional, but the truck looks good and performs well.

eBay limited my listing to 40 photos, but here's a link to my website that has more photos and information of the Raider's history: https://sites.google.com/view/thebennetts/home

I have a spreadsheet detailing all non-stock components purchased over the years, complete with brand names and part numbers. If purchased now, the cost alone for these components is almost $15,000. The tires I installed in September 2003 at 194,000 miles are still on the Raider at its current mileage of 226,700 miles. The rebuilt engine and transmission installed in 2005 each have less than 33,000 miles.

Here are the current features: GM 4.3 V6 cast iron block and heads, Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake manifold, Holley 390 CFM 4-bbl carburetor with electric choke, Electric fuel pump, Mallory Unilite electronic distributor, Standard Accel coil with ballast resistor and 8mm Accel plug wires, Dual mufflers exiting through a common tailpipe, Readily available radiator, Non-clutch radiator fan, Toggle switch for a supplemental 16” electric cooling fan, Toggle switch for back-up LED lights on the rear bumper, Toggle switch for the front windshield washer (OEM stalk switch lever defective), Hood pins for latching hood, Rebuilt GM 700 R4 automatic transmission, Rebuilt New Process NP207-C transfer case, B & M Shifter, Custom driveshaft components, Cross drilled and vented brake rotors, 15 x 8 American Racing aluminum wheels, Uniroyal 31 x 10.50 – 15 tires, Manual locking front hubs (factory auto locking components included), 4.625 gears in the stock LSD, Bushwhacker fender flares, Jeep Wrangler side mirrors, Yakima Mega Warrior roof rack, Hi-Lift jack, Generic spare tire, Dual gas cans mounted on rear door, Tiger Shark 9500 lb winch, Bull bar, Front tow hooks, IPF driving lights, 2” tow ball and 4-wire plug for trailer lights, New Duralst marine battery as the main battery, On board Schumacher trickle charger, Hellroaring Technologies 95300B battery isolator/combiner with remote switch on center console and a new AutoZone battery as a back-up, SunPro dash gauges (Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Volts, Amps), 2000 watt DC to AC inverter, Radio/CD player with four speakers, Driver side suspension seat replaced with passenger style frame, Rear seat removed and replaced with a homemade cargo drawer full of tools, tow straps, winching accessories, etc. The factory jack and handle are included.

Here’s my honest assessment of its current condition:

There is no rust and the 25 yr old paint job is showing its age with dozens of chips and scratches from use as a hunting and camping vehicle. The hood has the most defects with small dents and two spots where some body filler broke free when I accidentally let the hood slam down hard from an almost vertical position. Portions of the hood frame underneath were cut out to provide room for the old AC compressor, first custom radiator, carburetor air breather and hood pins. The front radiator support and hood latch were cut out later to make room for the fixed fan blade and new radiator. The stock sized brake rotors are far too small for a truck that now has a curb weight of 4,200 pounds (almost 1,000 pounds heavier than stock). I’ve seen posts of owners upgrading to larger rotors and pads from a Gen 2 Montero, but I never got around to it. The tachometer works but is calibrated for a 4-cylinder, so it’s not accurate with the V6. The factory water temp gauge is not used as there is a mechanical temperature gauge and a high temp LED alert. The speedometer reads about 2-3 miles fast with the bigger tires and the fuel gauge only shows 3/4 when full but it does fall to empty.

The V6 will launch impressively off the line with good power all the way through the three speeds and then into overdrive. You can accelerate more aggressively by using the B&M shifter to manually “slam” forward through the gears, but I've rarely done it. Engine RPM at 60mph is approximately 2100, so I normally drive between 55-65. The engine has excellent oil pressure and water temperature, even with the Mississippi heat. The 4WD lever is to the left of the driver’s seat with 2WD in the vertical position, 4-High pushed forward a bit, 4-Neutral a little further forward and 4-Low pushed almost to the floorboard.

The interior looks really cool with the SunPro gauges, radio faceplate and B&M shifter. The seats were recovered in the early 2000’s and only the lower driver’s side vinyl has begun to crack. The carpet was replaced as well but the the original headliner and door panels remain. I sealed the sunroof shut and painted the interior glass to keep out the heat.

It’s a very cool conversion and certainly turns heads as I drive around. Most people are unaware of the Gen1 Raider and are amazed when they see a GM 4.3 sitting in the engine bay.

Documentation includes:

· Clean Mississippi title

· Two Dodge factory service manuals

· Original Raider owner’s manual

· Detailed spreadsheet of all non-stock components

· Drawing showing the routing of the serpentine belt

· Installation manuals and/or receipts for major non-stock components

· Detailed electrical schematics for the wiring harness under the hood, relay connections and lighting

· A list of relays I added and their locations along with a drawing of the connections on a relay

• Make: Dodge
• Model: Raider
• Type: SUV
• Doors: 2
• Year: 1987
• Mileage: 33000
• VIN: JB7FJ43E5HJ031109
• Color: Blue
• Engine size: GM 4.3 V6 Naturally Aspirated
• Number of cylinders: 6
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Automatic
• Drive type: 4WD
• Interior color: Gray
• Drive side: Left-Hand Drive
• Vehicle Title: Clean
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