TJ forum inspired 4-cylinder to V8 Magnum build

For the shifter:
One of the TJ's I converted to Magnum V8 power was an automatic so I robbed a junkyard 2003-2006 TJ/LJ for the correct shift bezel and used that.

On the other it was a manual transmission so I again went to a Jeep junkyard and purchased the complete shifter mechanism and cables out of a 2003-2006 TJ/LJ for the shifter. Fits and works like a charm.

BUT!!! I used the arm, (lever on the transmission shifter shaft the cables connect to) off the Jeep transmission and adjusted everything to fit, worked perfectly.

RR
 
@RangerRick thanks for the replay. I am coming from a 4cyl 2001 automatic and I was intending to use an open light control panel I installed in my dash to run my overdrive switch and was hoping to keep my current in car shifter setup.

What I can’t seem to figure out is how my old shifter bracket can be made to fit on the magnum transmission.( at the transmission) . I kept the bracket from the ram donor but seems designed to use the ram metal shift linkage. Will take some pictures when I get back to it and maybe that might prompt a discussion
 
I didn't do this so I can't give you exact measurements.
The shop that did my swap for me used a piece of flat stock to make a spacer.

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And I don't have the parts anymore as I gave them to another forum member. But I had the stock Ram mount on the transmission and they used the Ram cable.

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Here are the best shots I've got of that.

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Wish I could help more.
 
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I figured out that my issues are due to donor ram having a column shifter as all the linkages are pieces of metal interconnected vs using a shifter cable. Here are some pics. I modified the tj shifter bracket by adding a piece of square stock to mock things up. Still not the final product and not 100 sure it will work, but at least I was able to reuse my tj shifter cable and get it in the general area.

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I have the piece that mounts to the transmission for the shifter cable & I can't use it since I have a Art Carr Sidewinder shifter. I don't remember what I paid for it but if you can use it I'll send it to you in a USPS flat rate box. And just ask for you to cover the shipping costs. I'll get a picture of it today.
 
I have the piece that mounts to the transmission for the shifter cable & I can't use it since I have a Art Carr Sidewinder shifter. I don't remember what I paid for it but if you can use it I'll send it to you in a USPS flat rate box. And just ask for you to cover the shipping costs. I'll get a picture of it today.


i would totally take you up on that plus whatever you think it’s worth. If you happen to have the linkage that connects the shifter cable on the tranny side. Would buy that off you too if you have it.
 
i would totally take you up on that plus whatever you think it’s worth. If you happen to have the linkage that connects the shifter cable on the tranny side. Would buy that off you too if you have it.

I don't have the linkage on the transmission side as I used it on mine but you can pick it up for fairly cheap. I do have the shifter cable that came off mine if you want it.
 
Also did the skinny steering over the weekend. It’s much more intimidating on paper than what it is. It
I don't have the linkage on the transmission side as I used it on mine but you can pick it up for fairly cheap. I do have the shifter cable that came off mine if you want it.

No worries, I think I am good with my stock TJ shifter cable, as it seems to fall into position pretty well in my mocked bracket. I will IM you my address and email shortly if you have PayPal, or Zelle so I can send over the payment.
 
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Also did the skinny steering over the weekend. It’s much more intimidating on paper than what it is. It


No worries, I think I am good with my stock TJ shifter cable, as it seems to fall into position pretty well in my mocked bracket. I will IM you my address and email shortly if you have PayPal, or Zelle so I can send over the payment.

OK.

Yes the Skinny steering looks worse than it is. It gives you a lot more room.
And I'd melted the plastic steering block before also.
 
This is the bracket for the transmission shifter cable.

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The cable is meant to clip into the round hole.
 
I've got pictures of the transmission linkage in my build thread. I can find them for you if needed.
 
I've got pictures of the transmission linkage in my build thread. I can find them for you if needed.

@Wildman thank you for the shift cable bracket!

I got it this afternoon and did a test it.

A few notes for anyone doing this swap in the future:
-Don't get a column shifter donor vehicle if you can avoid it.

The column shifter metal linkage doesn't plug. and play and if you try to recreate it... well, this happens... The bracket interferes with the downpipe and the. stock TJ shifter cable is too big to fit into the bracket and even if it did, the position would be all. wrong.

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5:30:2023 IMG_6460Amazon Review.jpg
 
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So I am stuck on the shifter, torn between getting rid of the down-pipe, getting a shifter cable that fits and the associated linkage on the tranny side(its also different on column shifters), or maybe just going aftermarket. Any suggestions?
 
On the plus side, I. finished my cross-member this weekend...

I cut the stock tj tranny mount and welded onto the RAM mount. I used the kit from Barnes4wd.

5:30:2023 IMG_6436Amazon Review.jpg
 
So I am stuck on the shifter, torn between getting rid of the down-pipe, getting a shifter cable that fits and the associated linkage on the tranny side(its also different on column shifters), or maybe just going aftermarket. Any suggestions?

I'll try to find any other pictures I have of mine to try and help. But because I had block hugger headers before I don't know that any will help.

But I do know people have done this.
@Paparock1 can you offer any insight?
 
Here is one of the transmission diagrams and I think this was the bracket I'd ordered.

d1caac6cd563be7c33b8a95c8ade2c6a.png



Mopar 52079065​

Lever-Throttle Valve

3847bab8b87c7b3246fc59da08c12525.jpg



52107686AB
LEVER Manual Control

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These are the same linkage I'd posted pictures of before.

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This is from a Durango which had a floor shifter instead of a column shifter. But they are discontinued so you'll have to search Ebay or junk yards to find them. But a Durango came with the 5.2 or 5.9 so these parts should clear the exhaust.

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/par...ontrols_gearshift_lower.html?diagram=00i25478
 
Here is one of the transmission diagrams and I think this was the bracket I'd ordered.

View attachment 428808


Mopar 52079065​

Lever-Throttle Valve



View attachment 428809



52107686AB
LEVER Manual Control

View attachment 428810


These are the same linkage I'd posted pictures of before.

View attachment 428811

This is from a Durango which had a floor shifter instead of a column shifter. But they are discontinued so you'll have to search Ebay or junk yards to find them. But a Durango came with the 5.2 or 5.9 so these parts should clear the exhaust.

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/par...ontrols_gearshift_lower.html?diagram=00i25478

Thanks @Wildman you been a big help. I was having trouble finding these diagrams.


I am also missing the corresponding lever components on the transmission side as well so I am currently trying to figure out if there is aftermarket alternative that I can use.

I was hoping on keeping my interior looking 👀 stock but open to buying an aftermarket shifter that used different cable setup that fits into my stock center console.
 
I did not run into any of these problems you have as my donor vehicle was a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I just had to made small mods to things to make them work. I did use the GC floor shifter and cut my floor to make it work. I even used the GC shifter cable. However it will not work with my center console. I still need to make my own console. Sorry not much help
 
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I am intrigued. This is probably how much more I would spent on misc parts to make my current setup work.

I am wondering if it would work on my transmission since it’s not listed. I don’t mind being a Guinea pig just need to make sure to pickup from a spot that offers returns if I need to return it.