LS3 Swap into a 1980 Jeep Wagoneer
12-05-2014, 03:05 PM
#1
LS3 Swap into a 1980 Jeep Wagoneer This truck has been in my family for quite a while now, and it's always been a goal to try and restore it and swap in an LS. So we've decided to do it all in one shot!
It's getting an E-rod LS3 crate engine for California emissions reasons, along with a 4L80, still undecided on the transfer case at this point. I'd like to go with an NP242 but we may end up using the existing NP219.
Some initial pictures of the truck before the teardown!
IMG_5729 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5722 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5662 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5660 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5659 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5657 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5653 by Iroc313, on Flickr
Parts are trickling in! 4L80 Core just arrived.
IMG_5731 by Iroc313, on Flickr
LS3 is here! I have a new favorite smell now, fresh crate engines.
IMG_5734 by Iroc313, on Flickr
It's getting an E-rod LS3 crate engine for California emissions reasons, along with a 4L80, still undecided on the transfer case at this point. I'd like to go with an NP242 but we may end up using the existing NP219.
Some initial pictures of the truck before the teardown!
IMG_5729 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5722 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5662 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5660 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5659 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5657 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5653 by Iroc313, on FlickrParts are trickling in! 4L80 Core just arrived.
IMG_5731 by Iroc313, on FlickrLS3 is here! I have a new favorite smell now, fresh crate engines.
IMG_5734 by Iroc313, on Flickr 
02-13-2015, 02:23 AM
#4
The teardown begins.. Man, there is a little more to this truck than I thought!
IMG_5743 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5745 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5746 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5749 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5751 by Iroc313, on Flickr
0114151353 by Iroc313, on Flickr
0122151636 by Iroc313, on Flickr
Pulling the dash ******* sucked.
0119151704b by Iroc313, on Flickr
0120151527 by Iroc313, on Flickr
Chrome trim everywhere!
IMG_5743 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5745 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5746 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5749 by Iroc313, on FlickrIMG_5751 by Iroc313, on Flickr0114151353 by Iroc313, on Flickr0122151636 by Iroc313, on FlickrPulling the dash ******* sucked.
0119151704b by Iroc313, on Flickr0120151527 by Iroc313, on FlickrChrome trim everywhere!
02-13-2015, 02:25 AM
#6
IMG_5771 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5772 by Iroc313, on FlickrIn the bay next to it is an XJ getting an LS2. LS's for everyone!
0129151454 by Iroc313, on Flickr
0129151448 by Iroc313, on FlickrDrained the oil out of the old motor, Doh! Never would've thought, it ran perfect.. No milk on dipstick either.
Oh well
02-13-2015, 02:30 AM
#7
Cleaning her up for some test fitting!
0206151258b by Iroc313, on Flickr
0206151258a by Iroc313, on Flickr
The new 4L80 Ready to go apart from the transfer case adapter.
0206151256 by Iroc313, on Flickr
Wiring harness out!
0211151638b by Iroc313, on Flickr
Most of the body harness on the right, engine harness on the left
0211151638a by Iroc313, on Flickr
Brand new in box NP 242 AMG transfer case, should hold the power pretty well..
0211151303 by Iroc313, on Flickr
0206151258b by Iroc313, on Flickr0206151258a by Iroc313, on FlickrThe new 4L80 Ready to go apart from the transfer case adapter.
0206151256 by Iroc313, on FlickrWiring harness out!
0211151638b by Iroc313, on FlickrMost of the body harness on the right, engine harness on the left
0211151638a by Iroc313, on FlickrBrand new in box NP 242 AMG transfer case, should hold the power pretty well..
0211151303 by Iroc313, on Flickr Trending Topics
02-13-2015, 02:33 AM
#8
0209151331 by Iroc313, on Flickr
0209151623a by Iroc313, on FlickrMotor is in! Fit's like a glove!
Only thing is we are going to do camaro accessories so that the A/C compressor doesn't get in the way of the battery. And we also have to change water pumps since the e rod kit came with an LSA style pump.. Which is odd, but oh well.
IMG_5794 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5795 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5796 by Iroc313, on FlickrDecent clearance with this pan, and with a lift there should be even more so.
IMG_5799 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5800 by Iroc313, on Flickr
02-14-2015, 03:52 PM
#9
Pretty cool build. Not sure if you ever plan on wheeling it, but you might have an issue with pan and diff clearance if you ever flex the axle. It's probably not a problem if you don't ever plan on articulating it, but it looks like a sucky place for a drain plug none the less. Have you thought about a rear sump pan, there should be enough room since ground clearance isn't an issue. Other than that, looks like a great start to a cool build.
02-15-2015, 11:33 AM
#10
Pretty cool build. Not sure if you ever plan on wheeling it, but you might have an issue with pan and diff clearance if you ever flex the axle. It's probably not a problem if you don't ever plan on articulating it, but it looks like a sucky place for a drain plug none the less. Have you thought about a rear sump pan, there should be enough room since ground clearance isn't an issue. Other than that, looks like a great start to a cool build.
We are going to put a 2 inch lift on it (which is two inches over stock height, springs are sagging) So we SHOULD have clearance in case they decide to do a little off roading. But for extra insurance I might just put a truck pan on it. It would kind of suck to have to drain the oil onto the diff.
03-28-2015, 04:42 PM
#11
Couple updates: Waiting on just a few more parts then its off to paint!
New in box NP 242 AMG
0211151303 by Iroc313, on Flickr
4L80 and converter, waiting on adapter for t case
0302151312 by Iroc313, on Flickr
New CTS-V accessories fit like a glove. Looks like we can keep the battery in the stock location
0302151311a by Iroc313, on Flickr
0302151311 by Iroc313, on Flickr
0302151257 by Iroc313, on Flickr
New in box NP 242 AMG
0211151303 by Iroc313, on Flickr4L80 and converter, waiting on adapter for t case
0302151312 by Iroc313, on FlickrNew CTS-V accessories fit like a glove. Looks like we can keep the battery in the stock location
0302151311a by Iroc313, on Flickr0302151311 by Iroc313, on Flickr0302151257 by Iroc313, on Flickr
03-28-2015, 04:42 PM
#12
Radiator and hydroboost are in! The radiator is awesome, as well as the fan shroud, Novak makes some amazing stuff! I would definitely recommend them if you're considering an LS swap into an SJ. (the hydroboost isn't mounted correctly in that picture BTW, I didn't realize it utilizes the old plate off of the stock booster)
0306151141a by Iroc313, on Flickr
0306151141 by Iroc313, on Flickr
Still have PLENTY of room with the motor mounts on the middle setting. In case we have to move everything forward for the 242 to clear the gas tank.
0306151141a by Iroc313, on Flickr0306151141 by Iroc313, on FlickrStill have PLENTY of room with the motor mounts on the middle setting. In case we have to move everything forward for the 242 to clear the gas tank.
03-28-2015, 04:43 PM
#13
Trans and transfer case are in! Just need to figure out a way to mount it to the cross member now...
0312151436 by Iroc313, on Flickr
I have about an inch of clearance with the motor mounts on the middle setting.
0312151437a by Iroc313, on Flickr
0312151436 by Iroc313, on FlickrI have about an inch of clearance with the motor mounts on the middle setting.
0312151437a by Iroc313, on Flickr
03-28-2015, 04:43 PM
#14
0318151501 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on FlickrStripped!
0325151514a by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr 
03-31-2015, 09:12 PM
#19
Definitely didn't think this truck had much of a future when I was a kid, it's so cool to be able to bring it back to life like this.
We are doing a Vintage Air Magnum IV setup haha, no more clutter in that area! Firewall is going to be smooth on that side with the exception of a few little things
03-31-2015, 09:14 PM
#20
Body is off!
IMG_6802 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr
IMG_6803 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr
IMG_6806 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr
IMG_6807 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr
IMG_6814 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr
IMG_6802 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on FlickrIMG_6803 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on FlickrIMG_6806 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on FlickrIMG_6807 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on FlickrIMG_6814 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr