AD/TF truck engine choice

[8man]

I tried the search engine on this topic and found "internet overload". Lots of information, but hard to sort it down for my simple mind to grasp. So this is where I am.

I have a 54 with a S10 frame. Starting the cab work soon, but have been thinking about choices of motors, because I know as soon as I have the cab repairs ready I need to place everything on the frame for placement of the cab/bed/drivetrain. There are some great write ups on that, thank you all.

I just put an '05 5.3 with a 4L60E out of an Avalanche in a '79 Jeep Cherokee Chief. It was easy enough with a reprogrammed ECM and the correct harness. It is drive by wire (easy to make cruise work) and has good power for the Jeep. It also gave me plenty of room for the electric fan in this application. I can even change the belt with the radiator and fan installed.

So I'm looking at the 4.3, 5.3, 5.7, carb, ECM, etc. I guess all options.

I'm building a driver, not a race truck. It won't be driven every day, but will be driven. Probably on a few highway trips of a few hours each way. I want it to have good acceleration for the Interstate driving it will undoubtedly do, and be reliable.

Also a consideration is which one fits on the S10 chassis and under the 54 skin the best/easiest? I'm guessing the 4.3, but again, I'm not sure it meets the other criterion for the truck. If it is a matter of placing the body/bed up or down a little more depending on which one I go with, that seems easy enough and that alone would not make a decision.

For the Cherokee I chose a truck engine (weight of the Chief is about that of the Avalanche). The 54 won't be as heavy, but I want similar driving capabilities.

Any thoughts on how you decided your choice or how you would decide which power train to go with?