TerryD said - very well - what a lot of us were thinking.
383 Stroker Transmision?
- Thread starter Christian.mers
- Start date
TerryD said - very well - what a lot of us were thinking.
As a lifelong gearhead, you can't do what you want to do. In other words, you can't do major builds on a daily driver. Period. You either get a different daily driver and build your TJ, or you sell your TJ and buy a new TJ already mostly-built. The former takes a significant investment of time and money, and the latter takes an investment of money, along with a bit of settling for what you can buy. I chose the former, and just so you have some idea of the commitment level, I'm three years into ownership/building (it has not been driven more than 100 miles in that time-frame), I paid a premium for my TJ Unlimited, and I've now spent twice that again on parts.
If you do decide to build something, make sure you manage your expectations. I think I heard Stacey David (famous TV gearhead) on a podcast say that he's actually working on a book for aspiring gearheads that addresses managing your expectations because he's seen so many aspiring gearheads not do so and drop out of the hobby disgusted. I'll see if I can find that podcast and post it with a timestamp for you. It was spot-on!
Burnout is a real thing. You can have the best of intentions, and even a passion for the work, but projects still get scrapped because of the unforeseen. Things happen, you will ALWAYS need to go further and deeper than you expected too. Personal exprience here...I have a motorhome that I was going to replace the headliner in before camping season in 2023. I tore it apart at the end of March. Its STILL torn apart as of this weekend, and I haven't even started rebuilding the interior. Things happen, you find things you didn't expect, etc. I'm over a year into the 3 month project and I still have 6-9 months to go.
I think its great you want to do a 383 to honor your Dad's memory. You shouldn't do it to the daily driver. Like others have said, if you have to build it now, you need to get a different daily. Otherwise, just drive it a few years, put it away, and when you can afford to do it right, do it and don't half ass it.
Also, I hate to be "that guy" but a 383 is built on old tech. There are MUCH better engine platforms to swap into a wrangler now. I bet Dad would be happy with a 5.3 LS and it would be a much better vehicle overall.
I think its great you want to do a 383 to honor your Dad's memory. You shouldn't do it to the daily driver. Like others have said, if you have to build it now, you need to get a different daily. Otherwise, just drive it a few years, put it away, and when you can afford to do it right, do it and don't half ass it.
Also, I hate to be "that guy" but a 383 is built on old tech. There are MUCH better engine platforms to swap into a wrangler now. I bet Dad would be happy with a 5.3 LS and it would be a much better vehicle overall.
Very good!
Let's start at the top! Is it running and driveable right now?
If not, let's work on that first and get it rolling so you can fall in love.
Start a build thread here. Start with the simple stuff and begin learning.
Change all your fluids.
Inspect your driveline and see what needs attention.
Do a good tune up.
Start driving it and tinkering on it.
Don't OVER do it. Also seen a lot of guys go full build and then regret ruining their vehicle. My buddy with the LT1 powered YJ on 40" tires and one ton diffs that never wheels it anymore because there's no challenge. He wheels his DD 4 cyl YJ on 235 BFGs and dual lunchbox lockers because it's more fun more places.
I'll be watching for your build thread to pop up. Let's get started, small right now while funds are low (I remember being 17) and build a Jeep that can grow with you and make you and your Dad proud.
A 4.8L/4L65E combo from a Tahoe or W/T Silverado is still WAY more engine than a TJ needs.
The 383 was just big business 30 years ago and a lot of our Dads are stuck on what is essentially Flat Head V8 technology to our generation.
I think this link will take you right to where he's talking about his book, which will be called The Art of Restoration:
I can't find the book out anywhere, yet, but I did find a YouTube series he put out (haven't watched it, though). Here's the first episode:
Although he's talking about restoration projects, I think the levels of difficulty are similar for Jeep builds. Definitely worth your while to understand what a project like that requires, and I think his series probably does that well.
He did mention that he saw someone 5.3LS swap it and he thought it was pretty cool and he was thinking about it. Maybe I’ll look into it. Thank you for reminding that and suggesting something different instead of just saying “use a different engine”. Are there different types of LS engines? Or different 5.3LS variants?
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Oh man. The world of the LS is vast and neverending. Do a quick search to see what I mean. There is a reason EVERYONE swaps LS's into EVERYTHING. I'm not an LS expert by any means, but I do know there are both many types of engines that fall into the "LS" family, as well as many variations of the specific 5.3L truck engine that is so ubiquitous.
It runs and drives great!
Only real issue is getting up to highway speeds and it vibrates a little when I’m going 60/65mph but that’s to be expected. Especially because I have the 4 cyl.
I recently just repaired (Bought new part and got rid of the bad parts) the Rear Shocks, rear drums, shoes, rear diff pinion seal, track bar, Steering stabilizer (was already on when I got it, I guess to fix the messed up track bar), front Rotors and Pads, and my rear drum self adjuster cables all in 3 hours which is guess is decent. Most of that stuff is just unbolt and rebolt the new part. But it’s a start.
I’ve also changed most of my fluids (Not transmission or Transfer case yet) and my spark plugs, wires, distributior cap and ignition rotor
What would you suggest for drive line inspections and tune ups? Any tips for better gas mileage?
What kind of build thread are you referencing? Just if I do finally get to it?
Awesome. Sounds like you're on your way!
A build thread is just a thread dedicated to your Jeep.
Here's mine:
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/terryds-2006-lj-rubicon.78726/
Copy the link from the browser window and paste it in your text box.
Alternatively you can highlight a word and click the little chain link above the editor, enter the web address in the popup box and hyperlink them.
Like this.
It's a lot more expensive to do than an LS. Everything Hemi related is more expensive. At first glance it makes sense, put a Mopar engine in a Mopar vehicle... but start digging and it gets a lot more complicated. This coming from someone who really would prefer the 5.7 Hemi in my TJ, however the more I look at it, the more the reality that a 4.8 "LS" motor is a much better option.
I just thought if I’m doing all the work of putting in a new engine why not go for a durable, built to last engine!