Can an engine from an 87 4wd be swapped into an 85 2wd? Im sorry, but i dont know if they are the 22r or the 22re, but the trucks either both have the 22r or both have the 22re. I mostly want to know if the 4wd engine will bolt to the 2wd drivetrain?

 

Yeah it should, assuming that both are 22R or 22RE as you say. You will need to swap the 2wd oil pan and pickup tube to the 4x4 long block. If they are both 22RE I would stick with the 85 intake, ecu, wiring, injection system, accessories, etc since you know it all works together. If they are both 22R then I don't know which would be better to use since I have zero experience with carbed cars/trucks lol.

I did a similiar swap and it wasn't too bad. I put a 94 2wd engine into my 88 4x4. My dad and I had it done in a weekend.

Edit: When you are putting a 2wd engine into a 4x4 you have to swap the oil pans/pickups because the 4x4 pan is designed for clearance around the front end components on the 4x4. When going the other way (putting 4x4 into 2wd) you may be able to stick with the 4x4 pan if there is room on the 2wd truck since it doesn't have the front wheel drive parts that the 4x4 does. If it looks like it will clear then you could leave it.

Rob