LJ Adventure Build

[XCRN]

So I just bought me a Red LJ to go with the 3 Green TJs. I have been wanting something a bit bigger for me and my significant other to go on longer adventures with like exploring the public trails out West, going as far North as I can in Canada and other trips. I found this LJ for cheap compared to other LJs with a clean tub (fenders are rough) but rotted frame only towards the center which I can deal with. The frame is in excellent condition outside the control arm mounts. Im not sure if I am going to repair or replace the frame yet, but I have a full set of TJ frame repair pieces that I think are Pocono brand and I might try calling them to see if it will work on an LJ and I just buy an LJ center section piece.

With that said it needs to maintain excellent road manners and not be a rough ride. It will also be used to tow a camper around. So my plan for suspension was 3-4in lift with 33s I will probably stick to adjustable short arm setup and I like the idea of getting Fox adjustable reservoir shocks. Definitly going to get a Genright 31gal fuel tank.

Right now it has 210k miles and does run well, but later once I have the body and chassis prepared I am either going to do a 1.9 TDI swap with some kind of auto trans or a Gen V direct injected 5.3 with a 6L80E. Has to be auto since she can’t drive stick and I like the idea of being lazy too. Still weighing pros and cons but with the TDI I like the idea 25+mpg is obtainable and with my goals for this build, range is an important factor with some of the trips I have in mind. But I have no experience with TDIs and there seems to be a lot of different options and I am getting confused with research.

With the thought of the Gen V 5.3 and a 6L80, I can potentially maintain decent MPG as many have claimed around 20mpg with 35s on older Gen 3 engines with 4L60s. My personal experence with an 5.3 swapped TJ with 31s is 16.5 normally but 18 is doable on long trips that are mostly highways but I feel the shorter OD in an AX15 revs the V8 too high and uses way more gas. I feel like the Gen V with a 6L80 has a better shot of getting above 20 with 2 OD gears and excellent down low torque. I also have both 5.3 and 6L80 as rebuildable cores sitting in my garage and have done LS swaps on TJs so I know what I am doing and don't need to research too much about it. Also V8 noises!

So for now progress will be slow as I try to finish the customer LS TJ (the red one with the missing fender) but my main goal with the LJ right now is getting the frame issue sorted out so I can drive it as-is. But if anyone has thoughts on the TDI vs LT swap I would be interested in hearing them.

I really enjoy my 5.3 TJ but having the extra space and more stable ride is something I am looking forward too.

 

[XCRN]

I spent a bit of today on my day off evaluating everything I need and what I have since I am a MAJOR hoarder of TJ parts that most are free at this point from years of trading.

So one big thing I found is a practically complete Skyjacker 4in lift kit with M95 shocks and extra lower control arms and a skid plate drop which I would rather not use but unless its absoulutly needed, I am not doing an SYE until I do the powertrain swap since I have to tear apart the transfercase for adapting to a 6L80E. I know Skyjacker is not held in high regard, but again…it’s free. Eventually I will upgrade shocks with an outboard job, but this gets me on the road faster. It also has extended sway bar links, but will be temporary as I will be going with Anti-Rock or Sway-Lok in the future.

With the control arms, I have learned that poly bushings are a “no-no” so my plan is to cut the ends off and replace with a tube nut and Johnny Joint and have some DIY double adjustable arms. I did the numbers and it is cheaper to do this compared to buying double adjustable arms so its worth while to put in the effort to do this.

I also had a full frame repair kit but can only use the front on the LJ and had to order the center and rear.

And on top of that I also had a rear swing out bumper that holds gas cans that needs some work. Just need to weld a new pivot pin and reciever on and figure out a new latch.

So I atleast have some major parts ready to go and the frame pieces on order so its driveable soon.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Sounds like this isn’t your first rodeo. I’m looking forward to following your build.

Jeff

 

[XCRN]

Sounds like this isn’t your first rodeo. I’m looking forward to following your build.

Jeff

It most certainly is not. This Green TJ has been my daily the last 2-1/2 years and I learned a lot from this and currently working on a second LS swap for someone else. I was thinking of pulling the Gen 3 5.3/AX15 and putting the Gen V 5.3/6L80 into the TJ but I feel like the LJ could benefit from it more. So the LT engine swap will be simple and quick and I can avoid doing things twice since I know what works and what doesn't. The most difficult part I foresee is the AC since I have yet to get it working in my 5.3 TJ yet. Both the 5.3 and the 6L80 need rebuilt so ill probably work on that over the next few months and be prepared to swap end of next summer. But the LJ will get the same treatment as the TJ eventually but ill be budgeting this better too.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

It most certainly is not. This Green TJ has been my daily the last 2-1/2 years and I learned a lot from this and currently working on a second LS swap for someone else. I was thinking of pulling the Gen 3 5.3/AX15 and putting the Gen V 5.3/6L80 into the TJ but I feel like the LJ could benefit from it more. So the LT engine swap will be simple and quick and I can avoid doing things twice since I know what works and what doesn't. The most difficult part I foresee is the AC since I have yet to get it working in my 5.3 TJ yet. Both the 5.3 and the 6L80 need rebuilt so ill probably work on that over the next few months and be prepared to swap end of next summer. But the LJ will get the same treatment as the TJ eventually but ill be budgeting this better too.

View attachment 478491

View attachment 478492

Wait……..LS?

[UN-FOLLOW]

 

[XCRN]

Wait……..LS?

[UN-FOLLOW]

Not just an LS, but a FREE LS pulled from a parted out truck in my backyard!

 

[Tim Horne]

I want a free LS......

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Not just an LS, but a FREE LS pulled from a parted out truck in my backyard!

View attachment 478557

Any free Hemi’s in your backyard?

 

[XCRN]

Any free Hemi’s in your backyard?

I wish! Just got a Jeep 2.5 back there now and its going into one of the cheap heaps that had a hole in the block where I decided to make the hole bigger with hammering down on the gas pedal since it still ran somehow.

 

[XCRN]

Sooooo on the 5th day of Christmas my $400 got for me…..5 Firestone MT 33” tires, 4 Sahara fender flares, 3 light housings, 2 bumpers, and a trailer hitch in a Honda Fit

Probably going to re-sell the tires as trail inly tires since they have a 2012 mfg date. But there is absolutely no dry rot or cracking and have spent most of their lives in a garage and have maybe 300miles

 

[XCRN]

Got it back from frame repair and its annoying how much better everything works on this compared to my restored LS swapped TJ. Like the heater and sound are way better, the roads dont feel as harsh (probably the E rated tires on TJ vs the Cs on the LJ), brake pedal feel much better. Makes me think I did something wrong with the TJ. So I might start comparing things on this vs the TJ to see what I can do to also make the TJ better.

With that said after putting some miles on, there is still a lot that needs addressed. Bump steers pretty bad, vibration at 70mph, hard braking it pulls, still need to fix the lack of turn signals, oil leaks, etc. Only thing I have done since getting it back is installing some factory JK LED headlights I had lying around. Really stuck on what to do for wheels and tires. Thinking of either new tires on the factory Ravine wheels, going with a set of Rubicon Moabs I have lying around, or AEV 17in Salta wheels.

So far very happy with this purchase

 

[XCRN]

Just picked up the engine that will be used for this. For $500 I got a good core of an LV3 4.3 from a 2016 Silverado, it also came with wire harness, PCM, and a lot of other parts to make this complete. I like the idea of this engine over the TDI since it would be easier to mate an auto (in this case using a 6L80 I already have) to make it run reliably and would have a much better towing capability for long hauls with a camper. And I like it over the L83 5.3 V8 because it is much lighter and quieter and would result in better fuel mileage while still making the same power and more torque as my gen 3 5.3 LS swapped TJ. Wont be touching it too much yet since I have house projects to do first, but it was one of those deals I could not miss out on.

The LJ has still been running fine and I have done small things to it like replacing the fenders, different wheels and tires, but nothing major yet. I am heavily considering doing a long arm of sorts on my pretend pre-runner TJ and moving the double adjustable control arms with Johnny Joints to this LJ since this will see more crawling action. I also might end up using the 2in BDS springs I took off the TJ and figuring out what to do with a pair of Fox shocks I got off marketplace.

More to come eventually!

 

[XCRN]

So figured I would update. I mostly bought a bunch of stuff but did some stuff too since last Spring. First off I cobbled together a 2in lift of parts I had lying around. Nothing fancy, Blackmax shocks and JKS springs, ORO Swayloc. And to be installed Core4x4 double adjustable control arms and ZJ steering that I pulled off my LS TJ.

Bought a $500 set of Rubi axles that need some bracket work.

Got some 32in tires on JL wheels and I like the way it sits. Gave up on trying to source clean red hood and fenders, so I spray painted them. Not bad for $50 job.

Also got a Badlands winch then converted to synthetic rope and have used it a many times between self recovery at off-road trails, recovering others on trails, helping people off the side of the road with this last snow storm we had, or just using it to load heavy stuff in the back of trailers, or pulling and engine hoist with and engine through 6” of ice. I also purchased the Apex version of the winch with wireless controller and will eventually install that and move the current one to a different TJ.

So on to the big buck stuff. Over all the holiday deals, I purchased a full set of Armorlite and got that mostly installed. Bought a Genright 32gallon fuel tank but have yet to install that.

And what I am most excited for, and brand new from GM Gen 5 direct injected 4.3 LV1. I will slowly be gathering parts for the swap and will try and get like 90% of it ready so there is no excuse not to finish this. The plan is to mate this to a 6L80 (which I have 2 cores) with an NP242J (which also somehow I acquired 2 from XJs for practically free). I have the harness and PCM to work on as well. Still doing some research on the fueling since its a bit different than LS if you want the most optimal fueling.

 

[XCRN]

So not much really done with this other than just using it for its intended putpose, going on adventures. In may, I loaned it to my Sister and her boyfriend to go up to Silver Lake Sand Dunes while my at the time fiancé and I took the LS TJ and this 230k mile LJ ripped around! I had a little bit of seat time during the trip in the LJ while we were getting our engagement photos done on the dunes since the LJ had the back seat for the photographer unlike the LSTJ and it shocked me how well it did and was impressed with how my sisters BF did with it as well for a first timer. Only got stuck once and high centered on a peak. It was cool watching it from the outside just dance along the sand, not often you get to watch your build in action!





Bought a camper and it handled great with it, granted a bit slow and hard to keep up speed on the highway, but it tracked straight. So now my fiancé and I have a way to expand our adventures and keep it on a budget.




Then the wedding happened and then the honey moon adventure where we went up to the Upper Peninsula of MI and put maybe 3000 miles on it exploring every where up there, what a beautiful part of this country! Everything went great except blowing a trans cooling line off and having to fill up with some random gas station transfluid and driving 100 miles low back to our cabin.





We had planned a stop on our way home for 2 nights at Silver Lake and I finally got to have some seat time, and my wife also got to experience driving off road herself and she loved it! She has always been passenger princess on these off road trips but she has expressed a desire to start driving more on these trips. My wife is cool!



But unfortunately it had to come to an end and unfortunately we both were pretty sick the whole honey moon running on cough medicine so we decided to have a second honey moon without sickness and we went south this time for an extended weekend to KY and my wife got to do some more off-road on some fire service roads in Southern OH around Shawnee State Forest that we hit on the way to our cabin and also on the way back home going through Zaleski State Forest. We also went to a concert in Indianapolis the night before the trip, so 120 miles one way. We have been putting some miles on this 230k mile LJ! And the week before we went to Haspin Acres in IN with a group and got to put some hard wear and tear and it just keeps taking it! My wife also got to experience more intense trails and did fantastic!




So we did a lot this year and it put a lot if things in perspective and what I really want out of this LJ. But what I am excited for is the actual build since my wife has expressed a desire to join me in building this hands on and learning how things work on vehicles, so like I said before my wife is cool!

 

[XCRN]

But despite not doing much to the LJ and doing lots with the LJ, I did get a few things done. I was able to swap all the control arms to double adjustable Johnny Joint arms before the first Silver Lake trip and I did “borrow” the Fox CD adjustable shocks from the LSTJ before the honey moon.

I did collect more parts this year for the LV1 swap specifically stuff for the transmission. Apparently you can buy a brand new case and bell house for less than $200 from GM.

The only real big thing I did recently was install the Genright Safari Tank I bought last year. Super glad I bough the access panel too since first prime it leaked and turned out to be the fuel pressure regulator nipple had a crack from probably handling it too hard. But I was able to see the leak with the pump priming and did not have to guess what it was and drop the tank multiple times. But looking underneath there is some more rust repair needed when the body comes off the frame, but nothing that needs immediate attention. I just sprayed it with rust converter for now.

 

[XCRN]

Started working on getting the new motor assembled. Of course when buying a new from factory engine, it should get new factory parts to complete it. Got almost everything GM or ACDelco to put the motor together. Mostly just fuel system components like the high pressure pump, feed tubes and injectors. Really neat having hands on experience with these Gen V motors. Also got new alternator and starter to go with.



Another thing I need to start preemptively planning is exhaust. With having the engine moved back I might be able to use a PS side manifold on the DR side so it can just dump straight down and cross over. My concern is its a wide manifold and might interfere with the frame and there are no LVx block hugger manifolds on the market yet. I am considering the idea of getting one of the many LT V8 block huggers and cutting the end off and plating it. It does help having a LS swapped TJ next to me to compare and get rough measurements on what might work. It does look like it should clear the steering linkage easily though.



Another big thing to figure out is the power steering and AC mounts. The power steering can be easy but the AC will be difficult. I am confident it can fit between the frame rails with a factory AC compressor in the factory mount at the bottom without notching like on an LS, but the problem is the control arm could interfere with low mounted accessories on the sides of the block without a ridiculous amount of bump stop extension. So I am designing my own bracket that my hope is to use a stock TJ PS pump with a stock unmodified PS lines. I need to get more measurements off the LV block but I will hopefully have some prototypes soon.

 

[Fluxor]

I have been digging into the LV1 swap. the power to weight ratio is amazing. People around me are very proud of these, I guess its a supply and demand issue. Looking forward to this, thanks for posting.

 

[XCRN]

I have been digging into the LV1 swap. the power to weight ratio is amazing. People around me are very proud of these, I guess its a supply and demand issue. Looking forward to this, thanks for posting.

When I get further along with this I will probably make a dedicated thread on LV swapping. Its definitly very similar to an LS/LT swap but there are lots of things different at the same time. If you can find a core for less than $500, take that into a GM dealer and order 12708189. Thats a brand new service engine for $2600ish depending on which dealer. They charge a $2500 core charge but thats what that $500 core is for. Its missing a lot of parts but its a great start and all the missing parts are still easily sourced brand new. This is as I got it from dealer and comes with a 8-speed flexplate.

 

[XCRN]

This is what I have so far on a mocked up AC and PS bracket. I have something modeled but I am going to have a coworker 3D print off a mockup piece before I have the metal cut and formed for the full thing. The nice thing about the LV compared to an LS or LT is the driver side head is positioned further back from the front block face so it makes this nice pocket for an SD7 “peanut” compressor to fit in and still line up with the outer belt section. With the Type 2 PS pump, its fairly thin so it can go lower and directly in-front of the block. So now I should have no issues with suspension interfering with the accessories like I was worried about. I guess this will end up being like a “mid-mount” setup, except the AC and Alternator swap places and I do not need a different crank pulley that stick out further than a truck pulley.



On my first go around I was close on the measurements but was not sure where the lower bolt landed. So I made a new template to be able to measure and map out a second attempt. I did get the head measurements pretty close so I am happy with that.

 

[XCRN]

More of the engine is togather. Not a whole let left needed on the engine side except for figuring out the PS and AC.


But I think I got the design finalized on both PS and AC brackets and getting the PS pump bracket 3D printed by a coworker first before I get the metal burned and formed. I am thinking of making them both out of 5052 Aluminum just to match the rest of the aluminum engine and brackets.





I have not fully figured out belt routing, but this is what I got. I feel green is lacking on belt wrap around the AC and Blue is lacking on the crank pulley. But that is a future me problem.