Chevy engine conversion and front springs

[G H D]

my project got delayed due to illness,,, but getting things fired back up.
question for anyone who has made small block chev conversion, from 2.5 4 cyl
did you have to replace front coil springs,,,i note there is approx 225 lbs weight
difference , so any info on if it was a prob and how handled,,
thanks

glen

 

[Chris]

Never done it but I've always thought a SBC 350 swap in a TJ would be awesome.

I don't think there is any way you're going to get away with not swapping out the front springs for something to support the extra weight.

 

[ColoJeep]

my project got delayed due to illness,,, but getting things fired back up.
question for anyone who has made small block chev conversion, from 2.5 4 cyl
did you have to replace front coil springs,,,i note there is approx 225 lbs weight
difference , so any info on if it was a prob and how handled,,
thanks

glen

Sounds like a fun Jeep when you're done ! What are you going to use for the transmission ? , And Are you building up the Dana 35 rear end to stand up to the additional torque ? The 4.0 I-6 Jeep engine front springs may be enough of an upgrade over the 4 banger springs . Have fun with building your TJ Glen !

 

[Rickyd]

V8 grand cherokee zj coils might be just the ticket. And close to free if you find one to part out

 

[G H D]

Sounds like a fun Jeep when you're done ! What are you going to use for the transmission ? , And Are you building up the Dana 35 rear end to stand up to the additional torque ? The 4.0 I-6 Jeep engine front springs may be enough of an upgrade over the 4 banger springs . Have fun with building your TJ Glen !

thanks for the comments.... actually im an old dude and off roading is not part of the plan, at least not in the mode that a lot of horsepower and digging will be done,,,mostly converting for a toy, badass sound and more driving pleasure getting rid of the 4 cyl.. in fact we are keeping the orig tranny and rear end,,,because we wont be abusing it, and i have a tranny from a 4.0 liter that they tell me is bulletproof, so if i rip it out, real easy project to get it back no the road... ill keep everyone posted when its completed and start working on the quirks that are inevitably there....glen

 

[ColoJeep]

thanks for the comments.... actually im an old dude and off roading is not part of the plan, at least not in the mode that a lot of horsepower and digging will be done,,,mostly converting for a toy, badass sound and more driving pleasure getting rid of the 4 cyl.. in fact we are keeping the orig tranny and rear end,,,because we wont be abusing it, and i have a tranny from a 4.0 liter that they tell me is bulletproof, so if i rip it out, real easy project to get it back no the road... ill keep everyone posted when its completed and start working on the quirks that are inevitably there....glen

The 4 banger transmission is the weakest link , and it's harder to change than you would think because the spline count is different into the transfer case.
Have fun with your build Glen !

 

[G H D]

im fortunate here, my mechanic and friend knows jeeps...thats "knows jeeps and has access to tons of parts,,,if necessary and i blow the weaker tranny, we may jus replace transmission and transfer case because both are readily available..
will try not to smoke it but im sure there may come a time i want to "punch" it a little harder Just to see... g