Since there's always someone on this board who has tried every combination I'd like to ask the forum about what they would do in my position. First of all I bought an 87 xlt short time ago that's pretty solid, I have put about 2000 miles on it it now has 145k it took 1 quart of oil and averaged 14 mpg during that time just bopping around no towing no offroad. It sounds like at some point in the next 50k it will be time to repower and rebuild the 8.8. I have no problem with the power with the 302 I have now (on four wheels I drive like an old lady) I just don't like the AOD whcih is fresh with 20k on it downshifting when going up slight hills and during moderate acceleration. I think the combination I have now would work pretty well for what I do with the truck which is daily driver stuff and some snow duty if I had 4.11 or so gearing versus the 3.55 with 31 inch tires. What I'm taking a long time to get at is today I drove a 94 with a 351 and the e4od and that felt like a much better combination to me. When the time comes how much more is involved with a 351 swap and staying with the same gearing against a 302 replacement and when the rear goes rebuilding with 4.11 gearing? Does the AOD handle the 351 no problem? Most of my driving is flatland empty with some light towing.