Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

95 YJ build 4 Banger OUT, 5.3L IN!!!

195K views 229 replies 40 participants last post by  honest-tom 
#1 ·
Hello everybody! I 'm new to this site, at least posting to it. I have gained SO much information and ideas from here, I decided to do a write up on my engine swap. I looked around and didn't really see anything recent on the topic. Plus, the ones I did see were done by people who knew what they were doing!

About a month ago, I started to tear down my 1995 Wrangler, with the less than desirable 2.5L, 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission. The motor had 134,000 miles on it. It still ran pretty good. In 4L the little motor would climb up anything. The problem was with the 2H! That motor couldn't go over 55 mph on a downhill with a tailwind.

I'm putting in a 5.3L, 460L, and NP231. The motor and trans came out of a wrecked 2006 GMC truck, 80,000 miles on it. I got it complete with wiring harness and computer for $1500. Not a bad price for a great set up.

I won't have much time to work on it during the week. And with a 14 year old son and girlfriend, I can only dedicate my Saturday to it. It's been a great experiance so far, and working with my son has been a blast.

I will be posting pics and a write up soon. I'm sure I will need some help, and appreciate any comments or suggestions. Just be nice!
 

Attachments

See less See more
3
#175 ·
AZ WRANGLER said:
WOW, you are lucky you're not dead!!! What happened to the lug nuts?
look at the picture closer, lol, the bearing blew apart and the whole axle slid out of the housing
 
#180 ·
I'm debating how long my d30 is gonna last tooi think I'll just make a 44 while i do the swap over winter, are the cherokee 44s 5x4.5?
 
#181 ·
AZ WRANGLER said:
Yes, the Jeep already had "factory" air in it. I live in AZ, its a must have! It wasn't easy finding a Jeep with it already installed. Its the ONLY reason I put up with the 4 banger originally. I only had to have 2 hoses made up to connect the Jeep system to the GM compressor. It works SO much better with the 5.3L power behind it.

There are aftermarket kits you can buy. They look just like the "factory" air set I have. Jeep air conditioning components and complete A/C kits for all Jeeps
I would like to say that I have never had a Jeep Wrangler with an AC unit until I bought my 05 and I am really impressed with the fact that when it's 108 outside it actually keeps me cool
with me getting a little older and liking the creature comforts it's a nice and I can almost afford the payments..
 
#187 ·
I took a look at them, they are 6 lug. I didn't measure the spread. I am going to 4.56? because I plan on running 35's. I didn't get them down to the shop this week. I had a jetski blowup and had to spend my money rebuilding that motor. I have another 6 weeks to enjoy the water. Its too hot here to do any wheeling right now.

The Jeep is running great! I have been using as a DD (even in the heat) and it runs nice. I think I have a ground coming loose. My gages are acting funny and with AC running, it shows 11.5V. I will have to spend some time today checking my connections.
 
#189 ·
jasonh28 said:
Mudding is the only thing anyone does for "offroading" here in nebraska lol mostly guys who have hacked their exhaust off and put huge whips on there trucks.

Lets see this gauges! Ill pry throw my stock ones out as well just to freshen the dash up
Where are you located? I'm in Bellevue.
 
#193 ·
whY402Jay said:
Is it a wrong assumption if I say you saw my club at the tractor pulls a couple weeks ago?
I would say that's wrong lol haven't been to a pull this year
 
#196 ·
Hey AZ, just curious on wiring, did you just chop everything that related motor wise out and tape it off and leave the factory harness to run the fuel pump, turn signals and all that or did you pull everything and make new connections?
 
#197 ·
I pulled everything out with the motor that was related to the motor. There are several dis-connects from motor to frame. I did leave the fuse box, it still runs the electrical inside the Jeep. There are 2 big wiring harness connections on the drivers side firewall. THOSE STAY. They are not directly connected to the motor anyway. You will pull the Jeep ECM and the wiring harness going to motor. I had to cut the 3 wires running to the fuel pump, but everything else came out when I pulled the motor and tranmission. You will hook up the fuel pump to the GM ECM.

I sent my GM harness and ECM to Novak and they re-programmed and re-wired the harness. When you get it back, there are like 7 connections to make to the Jeep. There are some examples in my write up about the connections. A couple of them are tough to figure out, but I got them. Novak was a big help.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top