4.8 Swap LJ

[Shank]

July 2025: Goal failed. Jeep was running and driving with 4.8 but not confident enough in it to take.

Feb 2025: I suppose I should edit this now, we have an Ohio to Colorado/Utah trip in July. The plan was to buy a new(er) Bronco or 4Runner and take it. Simply put, I couldn’t stomach the price. Now the LJ has to fill that role (with our 2007 4Runner as backup as this is an ambitious goal). With this, the LS (Vortec) swap begins.


Primarily doing this for my sake as everything I’ve done is very boring and simple to this point, but there are plans…..

I was in my sophomore year of college and my $1,000 Chevy Cavalier was showing signs of slowing down. I’ve always had issues where I struggle to buy something that is going to depreciate like crazy. I decide I should daily drive an LJ


I find this Red 2006 6 speed that has a couple issues but for a fair price and less than 70,000 miles. It came from Georgia 1-2 years prior to me purchasing.

Having had a TJ and frame swapping it, I was skeptical of the plastic guards. I looked underneath and it wasn’t perfect but very clean for the rust belt.

Turns out here were issues.

The rear section under the gate was caved in pretty decent and filled with bondo.

I cut this out, flattened it, welded back in, did some fill work, and spray painted . I used eastwood internal frame paint and coated the inside. It’s not the best looking but not very noticeable still to this day (7 years later, I plan to do a quality paint job on that when I fix my fender).

 

[Shank]

The more I was around this LJ the more I decided I couldn’t bring myself to drive it in the salt. I decided to nurse my cavalier along (which it did fine, only had to replace the timing chain, probably the best car I’ve owned).

I decided I needed to lift this LJ since it wasn’t really being driven.

Being in college I was what you would call - not wealthy.

I knew I wanted to buy quality stuff (and didn’t know of this forum or I probably would have made some different decisions). I fell into some takeoff with zero miles OME springs, new Bilstein shocks, and pieced the rest of the OME lift kit together. I also found some low mileage JK Rubicon wheels with Duratracs. I believe I was in the neighborhood of $1,000 for everything, not cheap but very reasonable considering. I also found a local LJ hardtop with no back window for $250. I had to jump and I replaced the window. I also added OEM Rubicon rocker guards.

For some reason I saw it fit to make JK Rubicon Hard Rock bumpers work on a TJ.

 

[Shank]

Now for the current,

I am most of the way through making modern Grand Cherokee calipers fit early YJ knuckles to upgrade the brakes. With this, I am at a bit of a loss.

I am going to do ZJ tie rods, new Dana/Spicer ball joints, new axle U joints, new UCA’s (I am running a newer set of lowers).

I am trying to determine if I want to do adjustable UCA’s now and start to plan for eventually 35’s or wait.

Also, the project sometime after the brakes when I get enough house and family stuff done:

 

[Shank]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/diy-big-brakes.68658/

Later last year I completed the brakes. Stopping power is way improved. I am sure eventually it will eat away at me and I'll have to source mrblaine's kit just to get better knuckles. I did new ball joints, ZJ tie rods and this spring need to throw my Antirock and uca's on.

The overall goal is still to pull a 2,000lb trailer with the ability to go cross country. I have a fair amount to complete until this is feasible. I am realistically going to need to complete step 1 by Summer of 2025:



Step 1: The bare minimum to have a functioning reliable jeep that should be able to do mild stuff (nothing harder than something like the Alpine Loop).
- 4.56 Gears: I don't see pulling a trailer with stock 3.73's as feasible. If I have to I will use the 4Runner initially.
- Lockers: If I'm going to do gears I may as well do lockers - thinking ARB Air with mini pump
-Axle Shafts: Future proof for LS Swap, Revolution.

I'd like to think this will hold up to a very mild 5.3 quite well, who knows maybe with new gears I won't even feel the need to swap


Step 2: LS Swap - the reality is I can't imagine it being a blast to take the 4.0 across country towing something.
- 5.3: I tore into the one on the engine stand above. Haven't mic'd anything but I haven't seen anything crazy alarming. Probably refresh it but temptation will be there to find a fresh block and go all in (still not looking to exceed low 300hp).
- Transmission: I have another thread on this. I've been having crazy ideas from TR6060, AISIN D478 with custom adapter, TR4050 (pricey) or the good old AX15.
- Transfer Case: Planning to run the 231 but an Atlas or 241 aren't obscenely expensive.....
- Obviously all the supporting components for LS Swap. I have a list and a good idea what this will take plus a good friend who has done an LS2 LJ.


Step 2.5?: With the obvious need of new driveshafts it begs the question....
- Mid Arm: I could well buy the kit or my buddy actually designed and built his own setup on his LS2 LJ with success. With this I'd like to up the lift to the 4" or so range - at the very least I'd like to throw 3/4" spacers on soon for the intermediate time.

 

[Shank]

My cross country 2025 trip may be becoming a reality soon with planning going to have to take place in the next month or two.

With this if I decide to take the LJ and not the 4Runner I need to complete step 1 above. I also would like to do a few other things as 2-1/2" lift is not ideal for 33's. The reality is we likely won't do much worse than dirt roads on this trip.


Currently have:
2.5" (ish) OME Springs
Bilstein Shocks (I will be replacing)
New front stock track bar
Rear track bar bracket
ZJ steering

What I would like to add:
Adjustable front and rear track bars
New rear control arms (stock ideally?)
3/4" spacers
Shocks for this height
New PS Pump
New Belt/tensioners
New TC Fluid
New rear brake hoses
Transfer Case Cable

Question is will 3-1/2" or so on an LJ require adjustable control arms and SYE? I don't plan to do anything but what is listed above.

Edit:
I suppose if I search I can find my answer.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/a-beginners-guide-to-lifting-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.733/

 

[Shank]

Won this 827”6” at auction. Pickup Monday. Maybe this dirty barn scrap will find its way on a new bumper on the LJ

 

[Mike_H]

View attachment 547184


Won this 827”6” at auction. Pickup Monday. Maybe this dirty barn scrap will find its way on a new bumper on the LJ

That's a great price! Seems like every one of them I see are 400 minimum for a box of parts!

 

[Shank]

That's a great price! Seems like every one of them I see are 400 minimum for a box of parts!

I should be about $215 with fees and tax into it. I’m not sure that an M8000 wouldn’t be more suited for what I want but for the money I couldn’t pass.

 

[freedom_in_4low]

My cross country 2025 trip may be becoming a reality soon with planning going to have to take place in the next month or two.

With this if I decide to take the LJ and not the 4Runner I need to complete step 1 above. I also would like to do a few other things as 2-1/2" lift is not ideal for 33's. The reality is we likely won't do much worse than dirt roads on this trip.


Currently have:
2.5" (ish) OME Springs
Bilstein Shocks (I will be replacing)
New front stock track bar
Rear track bar bracket
ZJ steering

What I would like to add:
Adjustable front and rear track bars
New rear control arms (stock ideally?)
3/4" spacers
Shocks for this height
New PS Pump
New Belt/tensioners
New TC Fluid
New rear brake hoses
Transfer Case Cable

Question is will 3-1/2" or so on an LJ require adjustable control arms and SYE? I don't plan to do anything but what is listed above.

Edit:
I suppose if I search I can find my answer.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/a-beginners-guide-to-lifting-your-jeep-wrangler-tj.733/

I ran a 3" Zone on my first LJ with stock control arms, no SYE, and no transfer case drop or MML. YMMV.

Just my .02, which is worth what it cost you , I built my LJ based on living in Colorado Springs and having miles and miles of trails of varying difficulty 30 minutes from my driveway. The alpine loop was close enough that I went twice a year, once with my family and once with my friends. Now that I live in Oklahoma and have to drive two hours for any wheeling at all, and 13 to get to the Alpine loop area which has been down to every other year, I would have stuck with 33x10.5s. I love the direction I think you're going with a really solid 33" build, especially with an LS swap, as it maintains so much of the factory drivability (and tow capacity!) but with a power level more in line with what you get in a vehicle in 2024.

 

[Shank]

I ran a 3" Zone on my first LJ with stock control arms, no SYE, and no transfer case drop or MML. YMMV.

Just my .02, which is worth what it cost you , I built my LJ based on living in Colorado Springs and having miles and miles of trails of varying difficulty 30 minutes from my driveway. The alpine loop was close enough that I went twice a year, once with my family and once with my friends. Now that I live in Oklahoma and have to drive two hours for any wheeling at all, and 13 to get to the Alpine loop area which has been down to every other year, I would have stuck with 33x10.5s. I love the direction I think you're going with a really solid 33" build, especially with an LS swap, as it maintains so much of the factory drivability (and tow capacity!) but with a power level more in line with what you get in a vehicle in 2024.

I was set on going to 35’s eventually but everything I want to do will be more than achievable on 33’s with most of it actually being better than 35’s.

I am waiting on a couple things to fall into place but there is a fair chance I will be tearing the LJ apart this winter and trying to finish an LS swap before early summer, daily it for a month or two to prove it out.

I daily drove the LJ for 2 weeks and determined there is no way I will be happy with it with a 4.0. I drove around cruising at 3,000rpm to get used to revving it higher. Simply put with AC on and towing nothing it could hardly accelerate up a not incredibly steep hill at 50mph at around 3,000rpm.


With this and planning a 3 week road trip next year, I can take my 4runner (240k miles on it but still an option), buy a newer Tacoma/4Runner/etc or LS swap the LJ.

It absolutely needs a little bit more lift (like 1” would suffice), finish replacing suspension components, replace Bilsteins, and more power.


A stock 5.3 will easily achieve this. I also plan to locate an AX15.

We shall see if everything falls into place to do this.

 

[Shank]

It’ll need quite a bit of work but for $200 it seems fair. It free spools, haven’t tried hooking it up. Need to drop the 40lbs of scrap steel it’s bolted to.

 

[MaximusLJR06]

Not sure when, but my wife and I are also planning a 2-3 week cross country trip and the LJ will be the one making trip (at least for now, been looking at GX460's, but pricing is still a pinch high).

 

[Shank]

Not sure when, but my wife and I are also planning a 2-3 week cross country trip and the LJ will be the one making trip (at least for now, been looking at GX460's, but pricing is still a pinch high).

I am not a fan of the GX460’s but damn if it doesn’t check almost every box of what I want.

LJ has a lot of work, my 4Runner is still a contender to go.

 

[MaximusLJR06]

I am not a fan of the GX460’s but damn if it doesn’t check almost every box of what I want.

LJ has a lot of work, my 4Runner is still a contender to go.

Yeah, I kind of agree. For me there isn't a vehicle produced right now that knocks my socks off that I "want to" afford (would love an F150 Raptor). The GX460 checks the box on reliability, minimal amount of tech and decent resale for me. Looking for something that will last me 10 years at least and I'm really only interested in 22-23 for the Nori Green color (very similar to my jeep green). Almost all new vehicles don't really appeal to me, I feel like all i see is recalls anymore and cheap manufacturing.

 

[Shank]

Yeah, I kind of agree. For me there isn't a vehicle produced right now that knocks my socks off that I "want to" afford (would love an F150 Raptor). The GX460 checks the box on reliability, minimal amount of tech and decent resale for me. Looking for something that will last me 10 years at least and I'm really only interested in 22-23 for the Nori Green color (very similar to my jeep green). Almost all new vehicles don't really appeal to me, I feel like all i see is recalls anymore and cheap manufacturing.

It checks every box for all the same reasons. If it was aesthetically a little better it would be perfect. Still a consideration.

Agree completely on new stuff. I know Chrysler/Fiat makes junk but the JL corrosion issues are unbelievable, no matter if I liked everything else I could not own one because of it.

 

[MaximusLJR06]

It checks every box for all the same reasons. If it was aesthetically a little better it would be perfect. Still a consideration.

Agree completely on new stuff. I know Chrysler/Fiat makes junk but the JL corrosion issues are unbelievable, no matter if I liked everything else I could not own one because of it.

Tell me about it! I was between a new JL and GX460 until my step dads JL started the whole corrosion issue. All the paint on every door hinge was bubbled and it spread to the actual doors as well, plus the tailgate. Nothing like spending 50K on a jeep that the paint will be peeling off of in 2-3 years. Instead of fixing it he just traded it on a 4 door 24 Bronco Wildtrak 2 weeks ago.

 

[Shank]

It is either end of the road or full speed ahead for this LJ.

In the next 1-2 weeks at absolute most I have to decide if this LJ is pulling a 2,000lb camper from Ohio to Colorado/Utah and back. This trip will include as many passes in Colorado as we can fit it. The reality is I don’t think I can tolerate the 4.0 with 3.73’s towing and loaded down.

The options are do a couple thousand dollars in upgrades to my 245,000 mile 4Runner and take it or LS swap this LJ. A far outlier option is get something like a Bronco/TRD but honestly I don’t think I can stomach the loan.

From a financial, comfort, reliability (likely) standpoint the 4Runner probably makes 10x as much sense. The only holdup is I am a quite irrational person.

There is an absolute dream/want to take the LJ on this trip. The timeline is getting borderline unachievable to complete and put miles on before the trip to proof. It simply does not make sense to own multiple offroad capable vehicles and not use them. (Kids change things).

 

[freedom_in_4low]

It is either end of the road or full speed ahead for this LJ.

In the next 1-2 weeks at absolute most I have to decide if this LJ is pulling a 2,000lb camper from Ohio to Colorado/Utah and back. This trip will include as many passes in Colorado as we can fit it. The reality is I don’t think I can tolerate the 4.0 with 3.73’s towing and loaded down.

Are you talking off-road passes while the camper is parked or highway passes pulling the camper? If the latter, just expect to be topping out at 25mph on Monarch or Slumgullion. Its just reality pulling weight up a grade like that...I struggled up Slumgullion in a 5.4L f150 pulling 2 quads and 2 dirt bikes.

The options are do a couple thousand dollars in upgrades to my 245,000 mile 4Runner and take it or LS swap this LJ. A far outlier option is get something like a Bronco/TRD but honestly I don’t think I can stomach the loan.

From a financial, comfort, reliability (likely) standpoint the 4Runner probably makes 10x as much sense. The only holdup is I am a quite irrational person.

There is an absolute dream/want to take the LJ on this trip. The timeline is getting borderline unachievable to complete and put miles on before the trip to proof. It simply does not make sense to own multiple offroad capable vehicles and not use them. (Kids change things).

Just my .02 but I think you're overthinking. There are reasons I wouldn't enjoy that drive in an LJ but engine performance falls well below being unable to converse with passengers due to noise or the sensation that it's going to take off when I pass an oncoming big rig on a two lane. Too many vehicles is too many but I see nothing wrong with having an LJ and a 4r in the same garage... In fact I have that exactly.

 

[Shank]

Are you talking off-road passes while the camper is parked or highway passes pulling the camper? If the latter, just expect to be topping out at 25mph on Monarch or Slumgullion. Its just reality pulling weight up a grade like that...I struggled up Slumgullion in a 5.4L f150 pulling 2 quads and 2 dirt bikes.



Just my .02 but I think you're overthinking. There are reasons I wouldn't enjoy that drive in an LJ but engine performance falls well below being unable to converse with passengers due to noise or the sensation that it's going to take off when I pass an oncoming big rig on a two lane. Too many vehicles is too many but I see nothing wrong with having an LJ and a 4r in the same garage... In fact I have that exactly.

Offroad passes pulling the camper. We are working on the list of easy enough ones to do with the camper.

I guess modify my expectations is an option. Could revert back to above and regear, add cruise control, brake controller, rear locker, new clutch, body lift, do some sound deadening and run the LJ.


My brother is pulling the same weight in a 6 speed JL Rubicon on 35’s, so while he has a significant engine performance advantage, all other factors are quite similar (in my opinion the 2 door JL isn’t vastly quieter/comfortable/better riding).

I’ve lowered the fleet to 3 drivable vehicles, some of the issues stems for a desire to get the wife something newer/lower mileage now that she’ll be driving for work, though I’m not really sure a newer car will be any better reliably than an 18 year old Toyota.

 

[Shank]

Camper for reference. Factory 2” lift and brakes. Should be in the 1500lb range without gear.