Thread: I need advice, keep my rotten '90 or swap engine into '89?

I have an '89 3.5 RRC with 444000k's which is gas converted as my daily driver, has zero rot anywhere and the old girls faithful as an old dog and does everything I ask of it. I go all the places my mates do with their mildly modded trucks but felt the need for something with more uumpph!
So I bought a '90 3.9 RRC with 220000k's to do up for bush bashing, I've raised it, changed all the bushes and sorted the mechanicals out..... but the more I dig into the bodywork the more and more rot I find.

I can't justify 2 lots of rego, so the '89 would have been sold once I'd finished the '90. However, I'm now losing my way and inclination to see the '90 through to the end and the never ending rot has me concerned.

I know the axles are a straight swap but apart from just dropping the 3.9 into the '89, what else would need to be done?

Any other opinions welcomed.

Had a huge change of heart!

Bought some sheet steel, cut out all the grot and welded new metal in....

and..... bought a 4.2 motor with Motech ecu to swap out the 3.9!

Going to sell my old faithful, be sad to see it go but it'll make someone else a good car.