4.8 Swap LJ
- Thread starter Shank
- Start date
So you just needed a jeep shift lever to mate up to your linkage?
Chevy’s didn’t have neutral so I used Jeep stuff. It seems everything shifts correctly, probably something to inspect/compare.
It's interesting that the bearing doesn't fit if you're using the Chevy case front and rear.
It’s a Jeep bearing. I didn’t realize they weren’t the same/interchangeable.
Funny, we immediately assumed transfer case when we spun wheels when trans was in neutral.
Put it all back together, spin wheels, same squeal. I listen closer and determine it sounds like it’s the transmission. I decided to quickly google, seemed it’s normal. I then called the builder, yep, totally normal.
It’s back together and drove it home. Actually got it up to 55. Exhaust still needs to go but everything seemed pretty good.
If I had to be hyper picky, a couple shifts weren’t 100% perfect and it surges a little bit coming to a stop.
Preliminarily, pretty happy. I have a few potential line abrasion concerns to address hopefully tomorrow, then time to start racking some miles.
Put it all back together, spin wheels, same squeal. I listen closer and determine it sounds like it’s the transmission. I decided to quickly google, seemed it’s normal. I then called the builder, yep, totally normal.
It’s back together and drove it home. Actually got it up to 55. Exhaust still needs to go but everything seemed pretty good.
If I had to be hyper picky, a couple shifts weren’t 100% perfect and it surges a little bit coming to a stop.
Preliminarily, pretty happy. I have a few potential line abrasion concerns to address hopefully tomorrow, then time to start racking some miles.
Does that tranny do any learning? Maybe the shifts will improve.
Quick research shows yes it does, at least somewhat. It’s really not bad at all, it’s probably what I would expect.
We have a large car show this weekend that takes over our town. The wife and I took the LJ out tonight, both drove it and had dinner.
I added a lot of guarding on lines, wires, etc today.
A 4.8 is everything these jeeps should have had from the factory, but definitely not a performance animal. We both actually like the Edelbrock muscle car muffler, but it has to go for a highway tow vehicle.
Still a long way to go but hopefully things keep going as well as they are.
I added a lot of guarding on lines, wires, etc today.
A 4.8 is everything these jeeps should have had from the factory, but definitely not a performance animal. We both actually like the Edelbrock muscle car muffler, but it has to go for a highway tow vehicle.
Still a long way to go but hopefully things keep going as well as they are.
Great news. Glad you are getting things figured out.
I totally agree with ya that they should of had a V-8 from the factory. My 5.2 wasn't a powerhouse either but DAMN it was fun to drive.
Haven’t read the whole thread but do you have a VSS hooked up to the GM ecm? Not having that hooked up can cause weird shifting and issues coming to a stop.
Yes, running this, uses a GM VSS.
Got about 50 or so miles on it, everything seemed really good… until I now have a clunk from 2nd to 3rd. Almost like metal on metal tap. Haven’t had a chance to look it over much yet but I did notice tcase vent was pinched (I’m doubting that’s it).
Might have to get the gopro out. Will do a shake down and see if everything is tight hopefully later today.
Took the LJ around the block a few times, if you were to not listen to what sounds like a ball peen tapping a piece of metal one single time quickly from 2nd -3rd, it doesn’t do anything surprising or bad. Shifts are maybe a little firmer than I like (though I know that isn’t a bad thing in terms of transmission health).
Moral of the story, it’s getting daily driven until I’m very worried something is wrong. Need to find out quickly if it’s a viable travel vehicle and theorizing won’t do that.
Pre engine swap it had an occasional similar noise over bumps, it may be something suspension related while being loaded/unloaded/loaded during a shift.
I need to do a Currie rear track bar bracket as the bar can hit gas tank skid, also need to install rear bar and new lower arms. The new front and rear uppers actually seemed to help ride quality/predictability a noticeable amount.
Moral of the story, it’s getting daily driven until I’m very worried something is wrong. Need to find out quickly if it’s a viable travel vehicle and theorizing won’t do that.
Pre engine swap it had an occasional similar noise over bumps, it may be something suspension related while being loaded/unloaded/loaded during a shift.
I need to do a Currie rear track bar bracket as the bar can hit gas tank skid, also need to install rear bar and new lower arms. The new front and rear uppers actually seemed to help ride quality/predictability a noticeable amount.
Drove to work today and also have been doing research.
The conclusion to this “problem” may be that it’s a semi built 4L60, it’s what they do.
I could probably tune some of it out at the small risk of losing some transmission life.
A low risk step is resetting the transmission adaptive pressures, something I did not yet do, and changing the gear ratio in the tune to match the Jeep.
The conclusion to this “problem” may be that it’s a semi built 4L60, it’s what they do.
I could probably tune some of it out at the small risk of losing some transmission life.
A low risk step is resetting the transmission adaptive pressures, something I did not yet do, and changing the gear ratio in the tune to match the Jeep.
Went over a bridge joint this morning which threw my LJ into death wobble around 50mph, a first.
I have replaced most of the front suspension. I know I need new tires (good tread, just older than I’d like), I could believe they are out of balance.
I know my steering box has some slop, as they all do. I am going to lay under it at lunch or before I leave to verify all bolts/nuts are tight before I drive home.
I have replaced most of the front suspension. I know I need new tires (good tread, just older than I’d like), I could believe they are out of balance.
I know my steering box has some slop, as they all do. I am going to lay under it at lunch or before I leave to verify all bolts/nuts are tight before I drive home.
Steering stabilizer had a loose bolt (or bad bushing that I masked by tightening).
Not a cause, but is an issue. Tires are 9 years old, I suppose possible they threw it into a shimmy and essentially not having a stabilizer could have caused this.
Not a cause, but is an issue. Tires are 9 years old, I suppose possible they threw it into a shimmy and essentially not having a stabilizer could have caused this.
Have about 200 miles on the swap so far.
Just replaced rear LCA’s and track bar, only drove it about a half mile but it seemed to make a little bit of an improvement.
Hoping to switch mufflers and finish the exhaust this weekend.
Have to make a small roadtrip and grab some new wheels and tires tomorow.
Biggest hurdle I am aware of is adding AC. Probably order the parts this weekend.
Just replaced rear LCA’s and track bar, only drove it about a half mile but it seemed to make a little bit of an improvement.
Hoping to switch mufflers and finish the exhaust this weekend.
Have to make a small roadtrip and grab some new wheels and tires tomorow.
Biggest hurdle I am aware of is adding AC. Probably order the parts this weekend.
I got my A/C working on my swap a few weeks ago. The only thing I haven’t been able to do yet is get the GM computer to idle up but I think it’s in my tune. It doesn’t die, but the compressor chatters when at 750rpm or less for whatever reason and my steering is sluggish at much under that too, so I do want to get that addressed. It idles between 650-750 when the A/C is on.
I haven’t looked much into that side of it yet, I’ll let you know if I get there soon.
I don't know if it will help but here's a video I saved on the topic
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