V8 swap... once again

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:17 am

i know this has been discussed plenty of times. but i need a little more information.

i know the 4.7 powertech is the most reasonable swap, and you need a 45rfe transmission. my question is here. I have a 2006 which means not only do i have a 42rle, I have the CAN-bus computer... so when i find a 4.7l to swap, can i get any old 4.7l, and get a harness and computer from a 2006 dodge ram (which also uses CAN-bus) ? also when i get a 45rfe, Im assuming i need the TCM with it.. but otherwise does it drop in?

from what i have read......
motor mounts should bolt up.

transmission will bolt up

since the extra mass of the 4.7 is up front, there should be no clearance issues of the firewall, there is also plenty of room in front of the motor

the 4.7 is only about 53lbs heavier than the 3.7, so thats nothing a set of OME 927s cant handle

the cooling should be easy considering there are so many methods out there to increase cooling

since they are the same block minus 2 cylinders I assume the oil pan should be relatively similar.. so no clearence issues below the motor, Im assuming same for the top side.

can anyone think of any other big issues that need be adressed?

tjkoen01 · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2009 8:32 am

exhaust......that's the only other thing that I'm not sure about.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:53 am

KJ kyle wrote:

i know this has been discussed plenty of times. but i need a little more information.

i know the 4.7 powertech is the most reasonable swap, and you need a 45rfe transmission. my question is here. I have a 2006 which means not only do i have a 42rle, I have the CAN-bus computer... so when i find a 4.7l to swap, can i get any old 4.7l, and get a harness and computer from a 2006 dodge ram (which also uses CAN-bus) ? also when i get a 45rfe, Im assuming i need the TCM with it.. but otherwise does it drop in?

from what i have read......
motor mounts should bolt up.

transmission will bolt up

since the extra mass of the 4.7 is up front, there should be no clearance issues of the firewall, there is also plenty of room in front of the motor

the 4.7 is only about 53lbs heavier than the 3.7, so thats nothing a set of OME 927s cant handle

the cooling should be easy considering there are so many methods out there to increase cooling

since they are the same block minus 2 cylinders I assume the oil pan should be relatively similar.. so no clearence issues below the motor, Im assuming same for the top side.

can anyone think of any other big issues that need be adressed?

Something like this would be a good donor, it sold for $1100:
http://ww4.klode.com/kws/napplications/ ... Exit=Close

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:34 am

If I'm not mistaken, when you change from the 42RLE to the 45RFE, you have to change the transmission mount and crossmember. Still not sure about all this, but I think the 45FRE is a different length which may mean you would need a different drive shaft since you would be moving the transfer as well.

If someone can verify this info, please do so.

chefdab · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:01 pm

So are you seriously considering the swap? I would love to see someone do it.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:53 pm

there any olds v6/v8's that would bolt up? I've got like.. 20 varios olds engines chillin

i don't know whether to laugh or blush, but thats what we usually end up droppin in our antique/classic frameup rebuilds

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:13 pm

JeepinJarhead03 wrote:

there any olds v6/v8's that would bolt up? I've got like.. 20 varios olds engines chillin

i don't know whether to laugh or blush, but thats what we usually end up droppin in our antique/classic frameup rebuilds

You can make about anything work with enough money,but is it worth it is the real ?,

Guest · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:19 pm

A 360 really wouldn't be THAT much harder than a 4.7...they DID come in the '02 Rams

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:22 pm

ThunderbirdJunkie wrote:

A 360 really wouldn't be THAT much harder than a 4.7...they DID come in the '02 Rams

Yeah but the Magnum 360 was such a bad engine with all the head problems they had,the Magnum 318 was such a better engine,more power and pep then the 360 had.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:49 pm

was just wonderin, i got a couple 260's and what not sittin around, figured perhaps i'd do somethin similar to what i did with a ford ranger i had, stuffed a 302 HO in it, didn't really cost too much, just some fanagaling with the wiring harness and getting ears

rather aware it would be a bit more difficult with the jeep considering the electronics aspects and what not

Guest · **Posted:** Sun Apr 05, 2009 12:30 am

ThunderbirdJunkie will gouge your eyes out with a rusty '02 KJ clevis if you put a 50 year old Ford Windsor POS in a KJ :shock:

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:11 am

Quote:

So are you seriously considering the swap? I would love to see someone do it.

I am only considering the swap if i am sure i can do it... but i think 06 is the worse year to do because the TCM, PCM, and the ABS/ESP is all integrated into the CAN bus module i beleive... I've got access to mitchell and all data so im going to print some diagrams off this week and see what i can come up with. Ive been keeping my eye out for a wrecked 06 dodge ram. hopefully i can find one this summer. the guy i bought my liberty from buys wrecked libertys and wranglers, rebuilds them and sells them as salvage, he is a great guy to deal with so i think i am going to talk to him about finding me a ram at one of the auctions... ill let yall know if anything comes up... I will definatly need the input.

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:19 am

God I would love to do this...plus I have an 02 KJ with a manual tranny and no ABS. Didn't some Dakotas come with the 4.7L and NV3550? Seems like a nice late-model V8 Dakota would be the perfect donor to rip stuff off!

...maybe some day.

In the meantime I'll be watching you KJ Kyle!

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Sun Apr 05, 2009 9:58 am

since the 02's have the 45rfe you could pretty much take any 4.7... or even the 4.7 HO

Sean · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:51 pm

Last i heard in another post on here, someone said a shop quoted them 10 grand in parts and labor and about a month to do it... I believe they decided it wasn't worth it, although id love to see it done

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:11 pm

well i would do the swap myself. hopefully not 10 grand

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 4:47 pm

be good to rent a cherry picker if ya don't have one, but.. i mean i've done plenty with a chain thrown across a big limb and a heavy duty come-a-long

come to think of it i've done a few using rap rope and no come-a-long
:lol:

but usually rentals like that are pretty cheep

i kinda can't wait to see someone do it, even if it is with like a 4.7, because it's def. something I'm interested in doing ontop of a SFA

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:40 pm

Quote:

be good to rent a cherry picker if ya don't have one

i've allready got one :wink:

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 5:43 pm

good deal! i know who's garage I'm invading when I do mine

i'm going to miss all my larger tools and my shop when I move

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:14 pm

actually getting a lift installed this year. not that it would help with an engine swap.

V8 swap... once again

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