BigE

iTrader: (2)

I have a 1985 2 dr Jeep Cherokee that I pulled out of the woods when I was 15. I swapped the motor and had it running in a few months, but the exterior/interior restoration took quite a bit longer. So fast forward a decade or so. My house doesn't have a lot of room for vehicles and I need to get this thing out of my parents' house. The thing is: I just don't like the drivetrain in it. The only way I could keep it is if I turned it into a daily driver and I don't have a lot of faith in, or patience for the anemic, carbureted engine and 3 speed auto transmission. In order to make it suitable for DD duty, I thought about swapping in an LS motor - most likely a 5.3 with a 4L60E. Has anyone done something similar? I would think the transfer case/4WD linkage would be the biggest hassle. The current setup is a driverside slant/pumpkin. Thoughts?

jbsjunk

I'm doing a small block swap in my XJ. Starting to wrap things up now, been picking at it for a year or so. Used a S-10 700R4 trans with the 207 t-case. I have all the shifters hooked up and working off the stock shifters, works like a charm. Here's the build thread.
http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=81585

Bo185

Big E Just run an 4l60/NP241 drivers drop. Adapt the linkage to the stock jeeps.

Might think about a 4.8L as well. They are even cheaper than the 5.3l's!

FrankZ

New guy here, planning on the same swap. From what I've learned elsewhere the Chevy Np231 is very close to the same as a Jeep 231 xcase. The Chevy uses a 27 spline input vs. a 21 or 23 on the Jeep.
FWIW, I'm going to scavage a few JY's and pull a 27 spline input and use my existing NP231J xcase.

Tranny and transfercase linkage can be easily modified or replaced with aftermarket parts. It really boils down to budget and/or mechanical know-how.

jbsjunk

If you're going to put the Jeep 231 behind the Chevy trans it won't work, the mounting is different. From what I've read, the internals should swap, but I'm told the S-10 chain is wider than the Jeep model.

BigE

iTrader: (2)

jbs, I see you were "blessed" with the same interior I was. lol

Anyone know what tcase comes with the LS engines in the truck applications?

Bo185

The NP246 its push button shift or NP261 manual shift.

Just get a NP241c out of a 88-98 fullsize truck! It will have VSS and will work with the 4l60 and Gen III motor!!! You will want a SYE for it as well.

LS1 TJ

Here is what I have left from two LS swaps into 98 and 99 Wranglers.

My first swap was a 4.8 AX15 into a 98 Wrangler. I wanted an auto so I pulled the 4.8 and put in an LS1 / 4l60e.

Here's what I got.

2000 4.8 all accesories. About 38,000 miles.
clutch, pressure plate and bell housing.
Master and slave cylinder for the clutch.
Ax15 with Hurst shifter.
Novak adapter between trans and bell housing.
231 transfer case. Drive shaft to the Dana 35.
4.0 Radiator.
Exhaust to include 2.5" cat, 2.5" flowmaster muffler and 2.5" dyno max tail pipe.

Pics available if interested. Everything for $1200

No clue on how to get everything to you. PM for phone #.

FrankZ

Actually it can work with the 4l60E. Novak makes a kit to adapt it.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_4l61.htm

I've got a link somewhere that even shows a homebrew-bootyfab way to do it as well. I'll see if I can find it and post a link.

Bo185

Yeah but that adapter kit is expensive! Then you'll still need to adapt a VSS to get a 4l60 to shift!

jbsjunk

I'll keep my 700 and 207. All I need to hook up is the lock-up and make sure the TV cable is adjusted right. My speedo is cable driven so no issues there aside from playing with speedo gears.

when it's time to swap in a 5.3 or 6.0 all I have to do is build mounts. The drivetrain is good to go.

FrankZ

What are you guys using for motor mounts?

I've seen the AA adapters for SBC applications and sent an email asking about the availability of mounts for a 5.3L and never got a response. I checked the Novak site and couldn't find any.

jbsjunk

You might be able to use the frame mounts from the Advance kit and build your own upper block mounts, but as expensive as that mount kit is, I'd rather build from scratch.

FrankZ

I'm really leaning toward building my own as well. Problem is finding the time.

FWIW, I'm picking up a 99 5.3L with 90K miles on it on Monday. I'll start searching for a PCM next.

jkwalkercchs

iTrader: (21)

naxja.com theres a guy there that is working on or was biggest problem was header clearance he tried ever known header made lol

jbsjunk

Got that covered. Hedman makes a street rod header that fits the dimensions I need to clear everything. The part # is 68360. They go 3" from the head face, 10" top to bottom and from the oil pan to the outside of the collector. They are 1 1/2" primaries and 2 1/2 collector. I'm going to get these and see how they work.

BTW, these are small block, not LSX.

http://www.hedman.com/images_products/6588.jpg

WTF? Still can't post pics here??

FrankZ

FrankZ

Got a link?

bads15v8

Novak sells LSx engine mounts, headers, and custom aluminum radiators for the Cherokee
Mounts:
http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/e...unts/mmxj3.htm
Radiator:
http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/r...xj/k-xj11h.htm
Headers are Hedman Block Hugger LSx Headers, Novak says they work well in the cherokee

FrankZ

Son of a Biatch! I've been all over that damn site and could never find any mounts for this swap! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!