LS Jeep Budget Build

Posted by theonlyjoshy@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 19 comments

My love hate project.

I had a jeep in the past, it was fun - but after many years and many other daily drivers I was given the opportunity after years of driving shit boxes to build or buy something I wanted

Looked at electric trucks, newer vehicles.. they didn’t really appeal. Big screens, too many options - over priced and riddled with problems.

So I bought a Jeep with a blown engine. Bought a 2009 Denali with a good engine.

Ended up parting out the Denali and making money off of it, keeping the engine, transmission and wiring harness.

Overall the build is..

2009 Wrangler

- 6.2 LS Engine

- 6L80e transmission

- Novak adapter to NP241j transfer case

- Dom tubing, 2” Johnny joints long arm

- Dana 60 front (Yukon zip locker)

- Sterling 10.5 rear (2005 axle with 2011+ e locker)

- Both axles are trussed, geared to 5:38

- 40x13.5r17 tires on dirty life beadlocks

It was a 4 month build after school teaching and during summer break, roughly 30g Canadian to do.

Love pulling off the top and doors. I know the jeep culture is tiring (ducks, waves, it’s a jeep thing) but once you start ignoring that it’s a fun vehicle.

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oilhammerIH@reddit

As a long time CJ owner, it makes me SOOO happy to see another Jeep guy that hates modern Jeep culture! Also, THANK YOU for not putting on some stupid angry-eyes/grumper abomination! Nice build.

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It's wild man.. at the end of the day, to each their own - but if I had the cash I'd just go get a Raptor Bronco and call it a day simply to get away from the Jeep culture. I love this vehicle, I'm embarrassed for Jeeps in general.

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Warm-Collection3411@reddit

Do you still have cruise control, AC, etc?

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theonlyjoshy@reddit (OP)

There are kits for standalone ac and cruise control, but I don’t have either at the moment. I might add on cruise at some point but it hasn’t got it currently. Generally those days I’m too off doors off.

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Warm-Collection3411@reddit

Especially in Canada, I thought about it after I posted it 😆. I need to do some research on these stand alone kits. Thanks

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theonlyjoshy@reddit (OP)

Thanks man. Ya, I mean, it gets warm here - but it's not like I have to deal with heat all the time.

But also being in Canada you have to add on a SIGNIFICANT amount for duties, USD -> CAD money, shipping.. it adds up fast.

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FutureAlfalfa200@reddit

So this is how you make a jeep reliable?

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ConfectionLatter1109@reddit

Just remove all the moving jeep parts.

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theonlyjoshy@reddit (OP)

Ford axles, GM motor and transmission - Jeep transfer case haha. That's about what's left aside from the body and seats.

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jayfactor@reddit

Well goddam man, a true budget build lol jokes aside looks awesome

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theonlyjoshy@reddit (OP)

Lol - even at what it cost, getting a shop to do it would have been nuts. Aftermarket axles are easily 10g each, which would be 20g. My axles were free - trusses, fresh brakes, lockers, gears I was 5g in for both of them.

The wiring harness to adapt LS to the Jeep canbus system is nuts. 5-8000 for a wiring harness. This is a standalone with most of the Jeep stuff gone, and although I tried to rework the original harness I had too many electrical issues. Fixed that with a standalone harness for $600.

If a shop did this build it would have run 30g for the engine swap, 20g for the axles, 10g for the suspension...

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Bright-Mistake-7095@reddit

Can I ask very respectfully how you afford to do that? I just bought a project car and the reality of how much parts cost hit me like a truck. I make good money but have no idea how people afford this as a hobby and I really want to afford it haha

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theonlyjoshy@reddit (OP)

Oh man, that's a rabbit hole of an answer.

I'm a junior high math teacher. My pay is good, but not... project car good. My wife is the breadwinner and also an accountant so our bank account is done to a tee. When we talked about a new vehicle for me I had been driving a 2006 Chevy 2500 for quite some time. What was worse - a vehicle payment on a new vehicle or building one? Frankly I'd rather keep that old Chevy than a new truck. It was a great truck.

Here's a big one though.. I bought running GM trucks from 99-2014 for cheap and parted them out. I kind of fell into it by accident, but I learned a LOT about trucks, engines, swaps.. I could strip a GM truck in 2 hours and have it ready to sell by the piece.

If you can find a truck for $1000-2000 in running condition, sell the engine, sell the transmission, take the catalytic converters to a recycle centre, sell body panels.. you can make decent money.

There's a really long story to it, but both a supportive wife and busting my ass to make money.

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jayfactor@reddit

Shit I totally agree, + you’d have the constant worry if they did it right, great work enjoy it man!

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Good_With_Tools@reddit

I hate to break it to you, but there is an even cheaper way to do the wiring. It also simplifies things. I don't think I'd bother changing it now, but if you ever do it again....

Basically, I did a similar swap, but into a 72 C10. I wanted all of the things to work, so I did. AC, cruise, power steering and brakes, etc.

The fun part is finding which wires you need to hook to in order to make the speedo, tach, etc. work. There is no reasonably priced harness to do that stuff.

That said, your finished product looks fantastic. I'd be proud to pop the hood on that thing. You didn't do it cheaply, but you did it awesomely.

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theonlyjoshy@reddit (OP)

I originally used the factory harness, reworked it. That was cheap - but I ran into issues as it wasn't perfect.

There are certainly ways to get it to work, but it also wasn't really a priority. If the weather is nice enough I don't want AC, I want the top and doors off.

The other thing - integrating it into the Jeep canbus system is wild and overpriced hence the standalone.

Appreciate it though!

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