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

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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

 

Looks nice. Is your shop space a T-hangar?

Tipsy

 

Sure looks like it. I assume it has something to do with the Top gun avatar and the only thing to do in Az is fly.

 

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
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Pulling the dash ******* sucked.

0119151704b by Iroc313, on Flickr
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Chrome trim everywhere!

 

Old reliable! Still drove like stock.

IMG_5763 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5764 by Iroc313, on Flickr
IMG_5765 by Iroc313, on Flickr
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IMG_5762 by Iroc313, on Flickr

 

IMG_5771 by Iroc313, on Flickr
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In the bay next to it is an XJ getting an LS2. LS's for everyone!

0129151454 by Iroc313, on Flickr
0129151448 by Iroc313, on Flickr

Drained the oil out of the old motor, Doh! Never would've thought, it ran perfect.. No milk on dipstick either.

Oh well

 

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.

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Wiring harness out!

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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

 

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Motor 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 Flickr

Decent 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

 

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.

 

Still undecided on that..

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.

 

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

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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.

 

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

 

0318151501 by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr

Stripped!

0325151514a by Jimmy Casey Photography, on Flickr

 

wow, awesome. this thing is gonna make the gw dot com trucks look like back-lot bombers

 

 

Wow this is an awesome build!!!! Im jealous of this on so many levels. I love those old Jeeps! And to put all brand new running gear and parts on such a clean one is like a dream build.

Cant wait to see how this turns out! Great job!

Justin

 

Stock HVAC box will be a tight fit. Ask me how I know! :-) Looks awesome, great project!

 

Haha, I'm not so sure, there are some really nice ones out there!

Thanks for the kind words!

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

 

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