Ok I'll say it...YOUR CRAZY. If your going to take off the 35's and put on 31's why on earth would you go through all the extra work to install a v8? With less money and work you could replace your worn out steering and have a fine driving jeep. But that's just what I'm thinking, I like the 35's.
Call me crazy—I'm downsizing
- Thread starter T_Hase89
- Start date
If he wants a v8 he wants a v8. But if he is doing it to get his tj to “get up and go” better then I agree with you. Instead of investing the money in the engine, get a better lift and put deep gears in it with some axle and steering upgrades
All of the stuff he doesn't like is fixable, so I don't fully understand it either. I guess he wants a DD that can go off road. Not a vehicle that's main purpose will be to go off road.
Well like my Jeep, which is a ss and trail rig, I have the 4.0 and 35s. However I swapped my rear axle to a ford 8.8 and have 4:10s front and rear. But I have a 32rh three speed and no overdrive so it is not to bad around town or highway. I am in it way less than he would be to swap his engine for a v8 and degrade his lift to a smaller one
I’m curious what about the Jeep drives like crap? My Jeep is amazing on the road on 33s/ 3” springs/4.56 gears. My dads Jeep also drives great with 35s/ 4” springs/ 5.13s. What I’m worried about is if it drives like crap then I’m not sure smaller tires and lower springs are the fix.
Honestly I think an LS with smaller tires is a great idea. I'd go 4.8l, you already said you are going auto, and since you have a Rubicon you already have 16" wheels, get some 235/85r16 tires. They are 31.8" and look great on a TJ. It's what I'm running on mine.
I'd be willing to guess with the 4.8l, automatic and smaller lighter tires you'd probably increase your fuel economy significantly as well!
The nice thing about the LS platform is it's so easy to get more horsepower out of the LS, even the 4.8l.
If you could find a donor vehicle with the 4.8l/5.3l LS with the 6l80, Chevy's 6-speed automatic, you would have a killer setup as well!
I'd be willing to guess with the 4.8l, automatic and smaller lighter tires you'd probably increase your fuel economy significantly as well!
The nice thing about the LS platform is it's so easy to get more horsepower out of the LS, even the 4.8l.
If you could find a donor vehicle with the 4.8l/5.3l LS with the 6l80, Chevy's 6-speed automatic, you would have a killer setup as well!
Ah yes. I knew the comments would come about LS and 31s and why it's a waste.
1) I have an LS 5.3 and 4L60E with 8K original miles in my garage. Paid $100 for it. Perks of knowing one of those guys who always lucks into stupid deals. Outside of Holley system to run it, I'll be into the swap for less than 1k.
2) I've done bigger tire rigs. The trails I run are easy on 35s/37s. Next level trails for my area require 40s+ and I'm not going to put tons on a TJ. I'll go back to a JKU or Toyota if I wanted to go for that
3) Why would you NOT want more power than that anemic ass tractor engine you have now, even with smaller tires.
@starkey480 It was built by the PO in 2006 and has 200K on the 4" setup and has ran 35s that entire time. Everything is worn out. I'll be replacing everything. I can do the same and continue to run 35s and make it drive good, but, like I said, I am crazy and want to go down a bit in the process.
@suicideking Tell me, what size tires do you run to get groceries? I don't give a damn about mall cred and over the last 10 years have a lot more miles off pavement than on pavement in my jeeps.
1) I have an LS 5.3 and 4L60E with 8K original miles in my garage. Paid $100 for it. Perks of knowing one of those guys who always lucks into stupid deals. Outside of Holley system to run it, I'll be into the swap for less than 1k.
2) I've done bigger tire rigs. The trails I run are easy on 35s/37s. Next level trails for my area require 40s+ and I'm not going to put tons on a TJ. I'll go back to a JKU or Toyota if I wanted to go for that
3) Why would you NOT want more power than that anemic ass tractor engine you have now, even with smaller tires.
@starkey480 It was built by the PO in 2006 and has 200K on the 4" setup and has ran 35s that entire time. Everything is worn out. I'll be replacing everything. I can do the same and continue to run 35s and make it drive good, but, like I said, I am crazy and want to go down a bit in the process.
@suicideking Tell me, what size tires do you run to get groceries? I don't give a damn about mall cred and over the last 10 years have a lot more miles off pavement than on pavement in my jeeps.
That is a killer combo for $100! Holy crap that is going to be an awesome setup! Does the Holley system also control the transmission as well?
Yeah, motor and trans. Its around $1300 but very simple and self learning. All it needs is a wide band O2.
That system, 4l60 to 241 adaptor, and driveshafts will be the bigger expenses of the project. (Motor swap only side of it)
That system, 4l60 to 241 adaptor, and driveshafts will be the bigger expenses of the project. (Motor swap only side of it)
If you stated you had an engine and trans already for $100 and could make it work for $1000 you probably wouldn't have gotten any of those comments. Just sayin.
Why do so many people add a lift for 31’s? I run them stock and have no issues with clearance during flex, and no problems running 75+ mph. I may switch to poison spider highlines, and run 33-35 with little to no lift... I don’t run a mud rig, and prefer it low for stability off-camber...
My guess would be for it to look closer to stock proportions. 31s on a stock suspension definitely fit, but they look a bit stuffed in there. I bought mine with the 1" H&R springs on it already, and replaced the worn out 30s with 31x10.5 BFG's.
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