My Build Thread - Goodbye 4 cylinder....It's Mopar V8 Time!!

BillyV65 · 09-01-2009, 12:59 PM

Well after just finding out my 2.5 has blown another head gasket, I've decided that I'm not putting another dime into that underpowered piece of metal and am going to upgrade to the 4.7/5.2/5.9 V8. I'm working on finding one of these at a good deal so which one is still up in the air.

I am going to keep it a 5-Speed, but I've got to find an AX-15 or NV3550 since my AX-5 won't work.

I do have a few questions for the guys that have done this or know more about it:

I talked to Evan at Backwoods and he really recommends to run an electric fan and add headers so I can keep the stock driveshaft lengths. I would really like to keep the clutch fan for durability and besides, getting the shafts lengthened/shortened is really not expensive. Do any of you guys know how hard it will be to get the shifter tower close so I won't have to cut the floor on my TJ?

I'm hoping I can pull this swap off in a matter of two weeks tops, once I get all the parts in and ready to roll.

Any advice is appreciated and I'm excited to finally be able to run highway speeds!!! I will also update with pics and try to do the best I can on a full writeup.

Billy

P.S. - If anyone in the Charlotte area has a spare space in their garage and wants to make a few hundred $$ for helping, let me know as I'm really, really tired of working outside and laying in dirt to work!

Jeepsr4me19 · 09-01-2009, 01:12 PM

You gonna need a different input shaft for your transfer case. Might as well toss a SYE in too. You can leave the transfercase/transmission in the stock spot, seeing as the ax15 and 3550 trans are all stock stuff. The engine will have plenty of room. No need in looking for a 318 cause a 360 is same size and much better off power wise. Dont know enough about the 4.7 but heard it is hard to wire.

BillyV65 · 09-01-2009, 01:28 PM

I forgot about the input shaft; I knew about it but forgot to include it on my post. I'm actually thinking about trying to find one out of a 6 cyl if I can cheap enough and sell mine.

As far as the transmission in the same spot; I know the Advance Adapters motor mounts have a pin for alignment, but does that spot keep the transmission in the same spot or will I have to measure and put the mounts where I need them?

Like I said, I'm not concerned with the driveshafts whatsoever as I'm more concerned with not hacking up my floor to accommodate the shifter tower.

**armyRN** · 09-01-2009, 01:44 PM

These guys might be able to help you too (click under V8 installs). Keep us informed with your project. As much as I'm happy with the 2.5 engine in my Jeep, if it ever goes south I'd like to put a Dodge 5.2 into it as a replacement.

http://atomic4x4.com/

stjjames · 09-01-2009, 02:17 PM

I have a 5.2 in mine.
If you really want a manual, find a 5.9 powered ram with a NV4500 already attached. That is arguably the best manual tranny you could want (strong, also behind diesels, low granny gear) & it's already attached. I know the 5.2 5.9 will communicate with your stock gauges, etc. Whereas the 4.7 won't. I went with Evans wiring harness & am glad I did, another fellow who did a 5.9 swap into his rig tried to do his wiring & ended up going with Evan as well.

Honestly, If I did it all over again . . .I would have gone with a V10

**chadsmeltzer** · 09-01-2009, 02:27 PM

I would definetly go with 5.2/5.9 over the 4.7. While the 4.7 is a great engine with plenty of power, it is pretty hard to swap and a lot of small things have to be changed.

I was looking for a 5.2/5.9 for a while but never found what I wanted. I really wish I would have done that swap.

stjjames · 09-01-2009, 02:36 PM

Why can't I delete post on this forum ?
This was a duplicate.

stjjames · 09-01-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadsmeltzer

I would definetly go with 5.2/5.9 over the 4.7. While the 4.7 is a great engine with plenty of power, it is pretty hard to swap and a lot of small things have to be changed.

I was looking for a 5.2/5.9 for a while but never found what I wanted. I really wish I would have done that swap.

1993–1995 4.0 L (242 CID) AMC I6 190 hp 225 lb·ft
1996–1998 4.0 L (242 CID) AMC Power Tech I6 185 hp 225 lb·ft
1993–1998 5.2 L (318 CID) Magnum V8 214 hp 300 ft·lb
1998 5.9 L (360 CID) Magnum V8 245 hp 345 ft·lb
1994-2002 8 L (488 cu in) LA V10 300 hp 450 lb·ft

1998–2004 4.0 L (242 CID) Power Tech I6 195 hp 230 lb·ft
1999–2004 4.7 L (287 CID) PowerTech V8 235 hp 290 lb·ft
2002–2004 4.7 L (287 CID) HO PowerTech V8 265 hp 330 lb·ft

BillyV65 · 09-01-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stjjames

I have a 5.2 in mine.
If you really want a manual, find a 5.9 powered ram with a NV4500 already attached. That is arguably the best manual tranny you could want (strong, also behind diesels, low granny gear) & it's already attached. I know the 5.2 5.9 will communicate with your stock gauges, etc. Whereas the 4.7 won't. I went with Evans wiring harness & am glad I did, another fellow who did a 5.9 swap into his rig tried to do his wiring & ended up going with Evan as well.

Honestly, If I did it all over again . . .I would have gone with a V10

I definitely can't argue that getting Evan to do the wiring is the best route to take, I just can't justify $700 for him to do it. Relatively, that's probably almost half of the total cost of the build for what doesn't seem like a nearly impossible task and something I'm confident that I can work through or seek help locally for help.

Thanks for all of the thoughts/advice and keep it coming!!

stjjames · 09-01-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyV65

I definitely can't argue that getting Evan to do the wiring is the best route to take, I just can't justify $700 for him to do it. Relatively, that's probably almost half of the total cost of the build for what doesn't seem like a nearly impossible task and something I'm confident that I can work through or seek help locally for help.

Thanks for all of the thoughts/advice and keep it coming!!

Good luck Brutha !
Looking forward to updates

Motivational pic for ya . . .

BillyV65 · 09-13-2009, 04:11 PM

Well, I have located a motor ('96 318) out of a wrecked Ram for only $250. The only bad thing is, is that it was hit pretty hard in the front and the water pump bracket has been pushed back into the water pump and the power steering pump was broken off. Other than those things, the motor looked great with no other damage. It also comes with the computer and wiring harness.

Could you guys see any internal damage being caused by that hit on the water pump? I know I'll have to pickup a P/S pump and water pump but otherwise I should be good to go, right?

Gettin' excited!!

ImNotStuck · 09-13-2009, 04:31 PM

There is always a chance if internal damage with a front wreck. If the hit stopped the motor fast enough it could have damaged the crank, timing chain/belt or cam. Again it depends on the force of the hit and if the hit caused an immediate stop of the engine.

iluvtruenos · 09-13-2009, 04:34 PM

Ehhh...don't do it.

The damage sent stress to the block, and although stout, there are weak links.

You might be blowing headgaskets, have stress cracks, and just other phantom issues just because of an accident block.

Skip it, and buy one that was either rearended (with no drivetrain damage) or some other reason.

BillyV65 · 09-13-2009, 04:38 PM

Thanks for the heads-up, guys. I'll pass on it and continue looking.

BillyV65 · 09-14-2009, 03:08 PM

Well, I picked up the 5.2 that was hit in the front(I know, I know) simply because it included the wiring harness, computer and all accessories. I figure for the cost of a water pump and PS pump, it's worth a shot. I also figure I can get some money back out of it by selling the a/c compressor that I won't need off of it.

I'm going to start on the wiring soon; should I use alldatadiy.com for the diagrams for the motor harness? I don't really feel like spending the cash for a complete FSM for the Ram when I already have one for my TJ but I need the pinouts and diagrams to get the harnesses merged.

Now off to order the goodies from Backwoods that I need!