Jeep Grand Wagoneer LSx Swap (not e30...but like to share)

[jakeb]

I really need to get back to posting build threads. It's hard to find time when we are so busy in the shop. Anyway this is a quick build I am doing for myself. Or my wife for her winter ride.

Reposting what I have posted to a jeep forum but I will continue to post here as the project moves along.

The machine... It's solid enough to not be a rust bucket but has enough rust that I am ok driving it in the winter.


I picked up an LM7, 4l60e, push button gm transfer case when I bought the jeep. No pics of that.

Started pulling it apart this weekend.
Pull the entire front end, gas tank, driveshafts, exhaust, engine all disconnected and ready to come out. When I have some help tomorrow we will yank the old drivetrain. (anyone need anything cheap????)







I bought one of the 2 door jimmy gas tanks and pumps. Where does everyone normally install those? stock location or back further? I haven't found any good threads showing one installed.

[jakeb]

Engine out

[jakeb]

FINALLY have some time to put towards this swap. Mostly had to just stop working on customers cars and work on my own for a week to get it done.

Here are some details and pictures so far.

Engine is in. Using the stock jeep mount arms and jeep rubber mounts. Had to trim some off the mount arm and flip the rubber mount to give room for the exhaust manifold. Then made a mount to bolt to the engine and to the rubber engine mount.



These are just to hold it in and then will get boxed once they come out.



For the trans mount I was able to just move the cross memeber back to the second set of holes. Add a little riser and all worked. Still needs to be welded all the way and painted.




using the 2 door jimmy gas tank and pump. I will add some foam on the top of the tank in a few spots so it is held right to the bottom of the jeep and doesn't rub/vibrate on anything




After opening up the hole in the firewall just a bit the GM throttle cable will work.



Engine is back out now. Mounts will be fully welded and boxed today. As well as jigged in case we ever do another or anyone wants some of these.
Should have the engine back in today and mostly hooked up tomorrow.

A few other things I have found along the way.

The GM Power Steering line after a little bending works to the Jeep steering box.
Some adjustments to the shifter linkage the the column shift works fine. Can't get to 1st gear yet...but still need some tweeking on this.
The front driveshaft fits without any changes other than a conversion ujoint
Rear drive shaft is made and ready to go on when the engine is back in.

I do have a couple general Jeep questions...well mostly just one. Is the vacuum canister on the firewall needed? The ball looking thing.
thanks!

[jakeb]

Some more progress today. Never as much as planned tho.
Ended up needing the replace both front brake lines and also the hard line to the front.
replaced all the rubber brake lines
ran fuel feed to new tank (will use the stock fuel line for the return)
Put together a big spread sheet for all the tcase wiring
Wired all the wires coming off the tcase
installed jeep oil pressure sensor in LM7
Rebuilt front driveshaft ujoints
Reinstalled the engine.

Transfer case wiring



trans cooler lines



Mounts...nothing super pretty for these. If I would make more they would be a little more pretty.
These are boxed around the back sides and some in the inside.

[jakeb]

Forgot these two...

Jeep oil pressure sensor in place on the LS


And the mount off the trans for the filter linkage. The jeep bushing mount will bolt to this.

[DER E30]

Cool!

[TimeMachinE30]

Build threads are a new favorite of mine.

Thanks!

[Staszek]

Nice! Want to see more! Want to see this in action in the snow!

[jakeb]

Some random pictures of the engine and wiring getting cleaner.

PCM fits nicely on the drivers side inner fender...once I removed the cruise and can. If I want cruise I will retorfit one of the early 90s GM electric units.



Wiring that got pulled out. Anyone need the ignition box?


sorta a useless pic...but the wiring pulled aside that is needed.

[jakeb]

Some days it feels like a ton got done and others not so much...just running around getting things.

Anyway...
checking things off the list
**Brake Booster line hooked up. Ended up using GM valve and hose in the Jeep booster. The jeep valve fitting was much smaller than the GM so dealing with a hose with two sizes would have been a pain.
**Hooked up vacuum line for heater system, teed into the FPR vac line.
**Removed EGR and plugged hole with 1 3/8" freeze plug
**Bolted torque converter to flex plate
**Installed starter
**Replacing trans filter in progress
**Made mount onto summit aluminum radiator and added 1/8" NPT port for steam vent
**Ran lines to Heater Core
**Replaced oil filter
**Figured out lower radiator hose
**ordered some couplers for intake and upper radiator hose
**confirmed all the wiring is what I need by powering up the jeep.
**ran hoses to trans cooler hard lines

One thing I did learn is you need to use a 1996 Jimmy Fuel pump and not 97+. The 97+ has a different ohm range for the gauge sender and the 96 matches the jeep exactly.

This is a summit racing radiator. I tigged the angle brackets on the side to mount it to the stock Jeep mounting points.





lower radiator hose

[rzerob]

Always in for another JakeB build.

[ST1G]

As alway, love seeing a Jakeb build.

[jeenyus]

Awesome. keep it up.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Sweet combination!

[jakeb]

Cross over pipe is done.




Mounted the GM power and ground wires with power block in place of the old starter solnoid.

One thing that I sure wish I could have done would be to get a radiator with a inlet and outlet both on the drivers side. That still might end up happening if I can't get things to route the way I want to. THe radiator is bought and already modified now so will see what I can do to make it work.