Jeep Project "Culpepper" 5.2L V8 Swap

[Slangy]

In the years past I have had my Hi-Lift mounted on the floor behind the front seats. I sa back there the other day measuring stuff and realized how uncomfortable it was for my passengers. So I drew up a little bracket that will attach to the vertical post of my tire carrier. The Hi-Lift will rest on the vertical post and be bolted to this bracket and it will sit behind my spare tire. Hopefully it works out as well as planned.

 

[Slangy]

Okay I am on the hunt for a 35x12.5x15 MTR Kevlar for my spare, I sent a drillbit through my other spare the other day. It can be used or whatever. If you have Anything, please let me know.
Thanks

 

[I Lean]

In the years past I have had my Hi-Lift mounted on the floor behind the front seats. I sa back there the other day measuring stuff and realized how uncomfortable it was for my passengers. So I drew up a little bracket that will attach to the vertical post of my tire carrier. The Hi-Lift will rest on the vertical post and be bolted to this bracket and it will sit behind my spare tire. Hopefully it works out as well as planned.
View attachment 71443

Nice bracket! What is it made from?

 

[Slangy]

Nice bracket! What is it made from?

3/16" steel.
I drilled my holes and bolted it up last night. I should have gone a little thicker but they didn't have anything thicker just laying around. I used 1/2" thick rubber washer type things I found in the garage on both sides so that the jack and the bracket don't vibrate together.

 

[94krawler]

Hey man awesome swap.. I scrolled through but didn't see any other specs on your jeep. It looks super clean, what suspension and size of tire are you running?

 

[Slangy]

Hey man awesome swap.. I scrolled through but didn't see any other specs on your jeep. It looks super clean, what suspension and size of tire are you running?

Thanks I appreciate it.
It has 35" MTR Kevlars with a 4.5" lift. The lift is very mix and match. Started with a RE kit, then added teraflex long arms the added radius arms and brackets, then to finish it off I trussed and triangulated the uppers in the rear. Works good but could be done better.

 

[Slangy]

I have been contemplating this for awhile let us know if it makes a noticeable difference......

I'm quite interested to see what you come up with here.

I've also noticed the "heater" affect of the Taurus fan as well (seeing that I don't have a heater)

Sorry I did not report back sooner on this but I must say I was very impressed with the louver. I obviously didn't take temp before and after but before the louver install when I would lift the hood it was extremely hot. It dropped the temps quite a bit. The only thing I had a hard time getting used to was when washing the hood trying not to spray directly down and into the engine bay, but that is not a very big worry
I would have to say it is well worth the $150 bucks and a few hours worth of time.

 

[Voodoo50]

Slangy,
What an awesome post. I do have a question. My project is my 2000 TJ 4.0/32rh/np231. After researching all options (sbc, 5.0 or mopar) It looks like mopar is the way to go. I dont want to modify the whole driveline, programming and all the other crap for a sbc or 5.0. You were instrumental in that process! So here is the questions:
1. what would be the year doner would I be looking for for the best fit. (computer and the likes)? this assumes using the motor/trans combo that will mate to the 231.
2. do you know of an option to just use a motor? I have a non electronic trans so could the computer work?. Just wondering because the 32rh is brand new as is the 231. I checked with a local racer who told me the 32rh gets a bad wrap because everyone puts 400hp motors in front of them them they break...duh. These trans according to my research were used in mopar v8's for years. I'm not hot rodding this jeep and it only sees light trail use and maybe 200 miles a month. Just wondering.
I'm sure i have many more but I am going to start over on your thread and take notes for the process.

BTW...I did a 5.0 swap in 1998 in a cj....man was that easy...bolted right up to the T-150 and lasted 10 yrs...was a beast!

 

[Slangy]

Slangy,
What an awesome post. I do have a question. My project is my 2000 TJ 4.0/32rh/np231. After researching all options (sbc, 5.0 or mopar) It looks like mopar is the way to go. I dont want to modify the whole driveline, programming and all the other crap for a sbc or 5.0. You were instrumental in that process! So here is the questions:
1. what would be the year doner would I be looking for for the best fit. (computer and the likes)? this assumes using the motor/trans combo that will mate to the 231.
2. do you know of an option to just use a motor? I have a non electronic trans so could the computer work?. Just wondering because the 32rh is brand new as is the 231. I checked with a local racer who told me the 32rh gets a bad wrap because everyone puts 400hp motors in front of them them they break...duh. These trans according to my research were used in mopar v8's for years. I'm not hot rodding this jeep and it only sees light trail use and maybe 200 miles a month. Just wondering.
I'm sure i have many more but I am going to start over on your thread and take notes for the process.

BTW...I did a 5.0 swap in 1998 in a cj....man was that easy...bolted right up to the T-150 and lasted 10 yrs...was a beast!

Hey thanks man i truly appreciate it. Sorry I haven't gotten to you sooner, I've been working crazy hours lately.
As for your first question try to get something from 1997 to 2000, anything after 2007 Is OBD I and you want OBD II.
The 44re and the 46re will bolt up to the np231 just fine, I swapped out the 231 parts from the Durango because the 231 had a beefier chain. Make sure if you get a 5.9 go with the 46re because the 5.9 is externally balanced and the 5.2 is internally balanced so if you swap them your flex plate an torque converter will be different, also the 44re is shorter so you may have driveshaft length issues along with linkage and other mounts. The best bet is to just find a good donor in the year ranges I mentioned and go from there. You can use the engine and trans out of durangos and Dakota's.

As for your question about the 32rh I have no idea, I wish I could help but I would just be lying to you. Try calling Evan at backwoods offroad, he is the man and can help you out. If you have any other question let me know and I will try to get back at you sooner.
Oh and make sure you post up some pictures here so we can check out your progress.

Good luck

 

[Voodoo50]

I have the feelers out for that year group but I also have word that a ram 1500 is good as well? Durango is my first choice. My plan is to swap the whole thing (5.2/trans/tc as a unit. As usual i am doing as much as the ground work now and the swap will probably happen this winter. I have been studying the manuals and it seems pretty straight forward. It looks like you only use the dodge pcm and splice or plug in the wires or plug from the jeep pcm for the non engine stuff. One thing I did think of...I suppose I will have to weld in two O2 bungs for the 5.2 sensors. I wonder how they will work without the Cat?

I'll be sure to post up as much as I can. I can't imagine tackleing something like this without sites like this and posts like yours. I intend to add to the library of experience.

Thanks for the reply. I'll try not to bug you more than a couple dozen times in the next year....lol

R/
Kevin

 

[Slangy]

I have the feelers out for that year group but I also have word that a ram 1500 is good as well? Durango is my first choice. My plan is to swap the whole thing (5.2/trans/tc as a unit. As usual i am doing as much as the ground work now and the swap will probably happen this winter. I have been studying the manuals and it seems pretty straight forward. It looks like you only use the dodge pcm and splice or plug in the wires or plug from the jeep pcm for the non engine stuff. One thing I did think of...I suppose I will have to weld in two O2 bungs for the 5.2 sensors. I wonder how they will work without the Cat?

I'll be sure to post up as much as I can. I can't imagine tackleing something like this without sites like this and posts like yours. I intend to add to the library of experience.

Thanks for the reply. I'll try not to bug you more than a couple dozen times in the next year....lol

R/
Kevin

Yeah the Ram should work out just fine. You will use the Dodge PCM and use your existing harness from the Jeep. You will then take everything that is associated with the engine and trans and tie them into the Jeep harness.


Go ahead a bug away, it doesn't bother me at all. I don't have all the answers but I will have some. If I can do this swap just about anybody who is willing to do their research can.
Oh and my wife wanted me to tell you that if you do it you will be fine, just don't bring home a Durango a month before your annual Jeep trip

 

[Voodoo50]

Tell the wife ...understood..lol
I can do the wiring i'm sure. after all I wire navy aircraft and the avionics so i figure i can tackle this ok. I keep hearing people saying to "piggyback" the jeep pcm to the dodge. It seems to me that you would use only the dodge pcm and all the wires from the engine obviously go to that and the rest from the jeep tie into the dodge pcm. I looked at a dodge today and i could swear the plugs look exactly the same. I am going through the data know making notes. I sure wish i could make a trip like you all did but alas, im in fl. consulation prize....me and the wife are taking the bike to sturgis this year...i can't wait!

Sorry, got off task there for a sec. Did you weld up bungs for the O2 sensors? great thing here in fl i dont need emissions at all. till next time. I plan on doing a complete wire write up for those who are scared of this. I think they just need some good pics to wrap their brain around it all.

thanks

 

[black hills tj]

Finally got mine to start tonight! Seems like I have the dreaded skim computer issue though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6pFuVtQNiM

 

[black hills tj]

Tell the wife ...understood..lol
I can do the wiring i'm sure. after all I wire navy aircraft and the avionics so i figure i can tackle this ok. I keep hearing people saying to "piggyback" the jeep pcm to the dodge. It seems to me that you would use only the dodge pcm and all the wires from the engine obviously go to that and the rest from the jeep tie into the dodge pcm. I looked at a dodge today and i could swear the plugs look exactly the same. I am going through the data know making notes. I sure wish i could make a trip like you all did but alas, im in fl. consulation prize....me and the wife are taking the bike to sturgis this year...i can't wait!

Sorry, got off task there for a sec. Did you weld up bungs for the O2 sensors? great thing here in fl i dont need emissions at all. till next time. I plan on doing a complete wire write up for those who are scared of this. I think they just need some good pics to wrap their brain around it all.

thanks

First...Sturgis? Hit me up when you get out here! I'm in Rapid City

Second...you are right. You run the 5.2 Computer. Keep the gray TJ plug(furthest to the pass side), and you use the White and Black 318 plugs. Then you make 15ish splices at the two large plugs on the firewall. So you are basically using the 318 wiring and just connecting it to the TJ connectors at the firewall.

 

[black hills tj]

Oh...and thanks a ton for all the info in this thread! Couldn't have done mine without you.

 

[Voodoo50]

No shit! I will defiantly look you up. Nothing like a face to face and I can see the awesome rig in person.thanks for everything.

 

[Slangy]

Second...you are right. You run the 5.2 Computer. Keep the gray TJ plug(furthest to the pass side), and you use the White and Black 318 plugs. Then you make 15ish splices at the two large plugs on the firewall. So you are basically using the 318 wiring and just connecting it to the TJ connectors at the firewall.

Exactly
Sorry I haven't replied lately we have been swamped at work and I just haven't had any time.
I am glad more people are doing this swap, I hope my thread (although i left a lot of info out) can help some people overcome their fear and get themselves a simple v8.

 

[black hills tj]

Here's where I'm at right now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6pFuVtQNiM

Starts up...runs for a few seconds...dies.

Had the stealership run the VIN of the computer which was mated to the engine at the junkyard, and the stealership said the build sheet does not show the vehicle being equipped with SKIM.
Replaced the Crank Position Sensor
Replaced the Cam Position Sensor
Cleaned IAC which looks to be very new
New Plugs
Checked Timing

I'm thinking it may be a wiring issue of some sort?

 

[Bart]

I'd bet it's a security key issue on the new PCM. My last TJ did that when I put in the new PCM and motor. If that's the case you'll need to find a company that can flash that out of the computer, or you'll need a different PCM.

 

[black hills tj]

I'd bet it's a security key issue on the new PCM. My last TJ did that when I put in the new PCM and motor. If that's the case you'll need to find a company that can flash that out of the computer, or you'll need a different PCM.

I had the dealership run the VIN of the vehicle the computer came from and the build sheet does not spec the vehicle as being equipped with SKIM. Now I understand that's not to say someone didn't have it done after they purchased the vehicle.