Need advice on high mileage '95 S10

[Lobo'74]

I am over on the '67 - '72 board usually. I have a '67 C10 with an LT1 clone for the powerplant as my toy/household hauler. My son's high mileage AWD Forester just died (totaled when a bumper went through his grill) and he wants a short term replacement. Something that will get him to work now and be a fairly reliable ride for about two years, then he will get a new(er) 4X4. He wants a truck, and has really grown to appreciate 4WD.

We found a '95 S10 extended cab 4X4, 4.3L V6, manual, with a new clutch and 187,000 miles at a local dealer for $2800. I am somewhat concerned over the high miles, but my DD is a '95 Toyota Solara with 186,000 on it. Just not sure how well the S10's hold up.

We drive over to the dealer tomorrow AM to look at it. My local auto repair shop has said to get it up to temperature ("get it hot") and then listen for a rattle in the lower portion of the engine. They said the rattle would indicate a worn crank shaft and that an engine replacement would run $3500 or more, installed.

Anything else to look for/listen for? Any advice on S10's and durability? Any ideas on cost to rebuild the engine if it does wear out in the next couple of years?

Thanks for any ideas.