LS swap update and questions

It sounds to me like you've kinda made up your mind about a 392. For you , this may be a path forward . Since you're comparing the " ride " of a TJ to a 4 dr. JL
I feel you won't be happy with a TJ modded to perform with a 392 in every aspect. I hope you find what will work for you .

You aren't wrong, I think I'm unfortunately spoiled as my daily driver is a yukon xl denali so the difference between that driving experience and the TJ is fairly harsh. Driving my TJ this morning reminds me why I still think about spending money on it, I have built this rig myself and have a lot of pride with it, something about buying a 392 makes me wonder if I'll feel like a sell out.
 
You aren't wrong, I think I'm unfortunately spoiled as my daily driver is a yukon xl denali so the difference between that driving experience and the TJ is fairly harsh. Driving my TJ this morning reminds me why I still think about spending money on it, I have built this rig myself and have a lot of pride with it, something about buying a 392 makes me wonder if I'll feel like a sell out.

I'd walk by a 392 to look at a DIY junkyard LS swap every day of the week
 
What do you mean, the pump or regulator or a clog in the line?

Start by checking the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. You should have between 58 and 62 psi. I see you have an 04. Did you change the fuel pump or add the Novak regulator that is supposed to remove any regulation on the pump side?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5632
You aren't wrong, I think I'm unfortunately spoiled as my daily driver is a yukon xl denali so the difference between that driving experience and the TJ is fairly harsh. Driving my TJ this morning reminds me why I still think about spending money on it, I have built this rig myself and have a lot of pride with it, something about buying a 392 makes me wonder if I'll feel like a sell out.

I understand that, our two other vehicles are a 2020 Lariat Super Duty and a Yukon Denali, both with ventilated seats and the whole nine yards. Yet I still drive the LJ to work more days than not on a 30 minute highway speed commute.

Making sure the suspension and steering are tight and your geometry isn’t messed up from a half ass lift adds as much or more to the driving experience than the LS does.

I love driving my LJ, but I also took the time to make sure everything worked with the LS. Cruise, A/C, etc. I can cruise down the interstate at 80mph plus with one finger on the wheel and the cruise set. It drives great up to 90 but then I start getting a little rear driveline vibe since I’m running a shortened LJ stock shaft and haven’t upgraded to the CV yet. Not that I need to go any faster anyways.

When not running the hard top, noise cancelling ear buds are also a game changer. I learned a long time ago with driving jeeps and motorcycles across country, wind noise not only contributes to hearing damage, but fatigue as well. Ear plugs or noise cancelling buds are a must in my book.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyd
I understand that, our two other vehicles are a 2020 Lariat Super Duty and a Yukon Denali, both with ventilated seats and the whole nine yards. Yet I still drive the LJ to work more days than not on a 30 minute highway speed commute.

Making sure the suspension and steering are tight and your geometry isn’t messed up from a half ass lift adds as much or more to the driving experience than the LS does.

I love driving my LJ, but I also took the time to make sure everything worked with the LS. Cruise, A/C, etc. I can cruise down the interstate at 80mph plus with one finger on the wheel and the cruise set. It drives great up to 90 but then I start getting a little rear driveline vibe since I’m running a shortened LJ stock shaft and haven’t upgraded to the CV yet. Not that I need to go any faster anyways.

When not running the hard top, noise cancelling ear buds are also a game changer. I learned a long time ago with driving jeeps and motorcycles across country, wind noise not only contributes to hearing damage, but fatigue as well. Ear plugs or noise cancelling buds are a must in my book.

Doesn't feel dangerous to you to drive with headphones in? I can never bring myself to do it
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5632 and ColoJeep
Doesn't feel dangerous to you to drive with headphones in? I can never bring myself to do it

Not at all, if anything safer. I have a really hard time hearing higher pitches with loud low frequency background noise such as wind. With noise cancelling on if my wife or kid starts talking I can actually hear them, without them at 70mph, no chance. Same with my motorcycle helmet. I wear foam ear plugs and I can hear my helmet speakers far better than without the ear plugs. Getting rid of background noise makes the important noises such as horns and people much easier to hear, for me. I don’t crank music though, very quiet if any at all, I’m just interested in not listening to wind. YMMV.
 
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: Rickyd and lBasket
I understand that, our two other vehicles are a 2020 Lariat Super Duty and a Yukon Denali, both with ventilated seats and the whole nine yards. Yet I still drive the LJ to work more days than not on a 30 minute highway speed commute.

Making sure the suspension and steering are tight and your geometry isn’t messed up from a half ass lift adds as much or more to the driving experience than the LS does.

I love driving my LJ, but I also took the time to make sure everything worked with the LS. Cruise, A/C, etc. I can cruise down the interstate at 80mph plus with one finger on the wheel and the cruise set. It drives great up to 90 but then I start getting a little rear driveline vibe since I’m running a shortened LJ stock shaft and haven’t upgraded to the CV yet. Not that I need to go any faster anyways.

When not running the hard top, noise cancelling ear buds are also a game changer. I learned a long time ago with driving jeeps and motorcycles across country, wind noise not only contributes to hearing damage, but fatigue as well. Ear plugs or noise cancelling buds are a must in my book.

The wind/noise fatigue is real! My daughter demands top off and half doors which I can appreciate, I’ll have to try my AirPod pros next time I cruise. I know Novak sells an emulator that works with the cruise control but I haven’t wanted to go through the wiring after I’ve already loomed up the prior work but if I get the suspension and engine dialed in I probably will get that to work. I currently have an ac leak so it’s something I need to have fixed.
 
Start by checking the fuel pressure at the fuel rail. You should have between 58 and 62 psi. I see you have an 04. Did you change the fuel pump or add the Novak regulator that is supposed to remove any regulation on the pump side?

I used the regulator from Novak, I’m going to have a shop tune the rig next week and I’ll have them check the psi while I’m there, thank you for the suggestion.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyd and Sj's TJ
This is my 5.3 4L60E combo. 33's and 3.73 gearing, 3000 stall, mild tune, stock everything.
Link below skips to the dead stop acceleration. This was before I installed the correct speedo gear, so the MPH indicates about 5mph slow.
 
I used the regulator from Novak, I’m going to have a shop tune the rig next week and I’ll have them check the psi while I’m there, thank you for the suggestion.

Good call. Hopefully a tune will go a long way to curing the issues you are having and maybe the fuel system could be an issue or a dead cylinder or something motor related. Keep us posted.
 
This is my 5.3 4L60E combo. 33's and 3.73 gearing, 3000 stall, mild tune, stock everything.
Link below skips to the dead stop acceleration. This was before I installed the correct speedo gear, so the MPH indicates about 5mph slow.

Helpful thank you, I’m running stock stall which I think is around 1700, I was nervous messing with that before I got everything up and running, how do you like the 3000?
 
Helpful thank you, I’m running stock stall which I think is around 1700, I was nervous messing with that before I got everything up and running, how do you like the 3000?

Honestly, unless you're really feeding it the corn, you wouldn't notice much of a difference from a stock GM converter at all.
 
I used the regulator from Novak, I’m going to have a shop tune the rig next week and I’ll have them check the psi while I’m there, thank you for the suggestion.

Hope you can get it all worked out and dialed in. If you can get the engine running correctly that'll motivate you to get other things fixed.

On the whole selling the TJ and buying a different Jeep I can say I had a JK and disliked it. It wasn't comfortable for me to drive due to the seating position. I've heard the JL's are better but I don't know. And after reading all the electrical issues people have with the newer Jeeps I'd want one. And what's a 392 JL selling for now? $50-60K? What could you do to your TJ for even half that amount?
 
Same here.... Never have liked not being able to hear stuff when driving but then again I've got hearing lose now due to all the stuff I'd done in the past.

I’ve still worn my intercom headsets, simply putting it out there that it’s not always legal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman
The wind/noise fatigue is real! My daughter demands top off and half doors which I can appreciate, I’ll have to try my AirPod pros next time I cruise. I know Novak sells an emulator that works with the cruise control but I haven’t wanted to go through the wiring after I’ve already loomed up the prior work but if I get the suspension and engine dialed in I probably will get that to work. I currently have an ac leak so it’s something I need to have fixed.

If you have the Pro 2’s, try out adaptive mode, works great for me. Drowns out background noise while still allowing vocals and other sudden sounds to be heard.