JK: Wrangler Unlimited V8 Hemi (aka Genesis)

[DesertLeon]

I recently received a note from fellow member JarrardB and he suggested that I share my experience with the buildup of my Wrangler Hemi.

My association with this forum started when I was looking (somewhat desperately :rolleyes:) for a set of wheels that would fit the Dana 60's that we had installed. The bolt pattern on these were 5.5x5 and I had the great fortune to be finding a set advertised here. Jarrard was super helpful in getting these down to South Africa.

Here in SA, we also have right hand drive vehicles and therefore battle with the same issues as those of you who import products from the US of A for our toys. Some of my experiences might therefore be very useful to any of you that are looking at doing a buildup such as this.

We love the products from Aus because of the great quality and compatability with our cars.

So, as you follow this story, you will recognise brands such as ARB, Engel and the like.

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%20Testing%204%20December%202010/DSC01636.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%202/DSC01414.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%20Testing%204%20December%202010/DSC01632.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%20Testing%204%20December%202010/DSC01627.jpg

Have I any regrets about having undertaken this build? Absolutely not! What a great experience this has been and I am now the proud owner of an extremely capapable offroad vehicle that has brought me many many hours of joy. :) :D

Please do not hesitate to comment and PM me if you need any specific information regarding suppliers or other relevant information.

I will update the story as time permits.

Happy reading,

Leon

[MR EXTREME JEEP]

Thanks for posting. Those lights on the winshield brackets are led's yeah? I have seen the same but smaller ones and they are awsome spotties.
Are you headlights aftermarket also. They look a little different?

[Bozza]

Awesome build! Got any pics of it on road? What kinda lift are you running?

[DesertLeon]

Thanks for posting. Those lights on the winshield brackets are led's yeah? I have seen the same but smaller ones and they are awsome spotties.
Are you headlights aftermarket also. They look a little different?

Yes, those are vision x units. They are incredable and deliver 4800 lumens a piece. I used to have a set of KC's, great lights on their own but there is nothing out there that compare with the LED units. The headlights are also aftermarket, I dont know the brand. They are reasonable but not nearly as effective as the set of spots, though.

[DesertLeon]

Awesome build! Got any pics of it on road? What kinda lift are you running?

Bozza, I am running a Full Traction Suspension 4″ Ultimate Lift System and King Off-Road Racing Shocks. Initially had a 2" Old Man Emu kit installed but since I wanted to upgrade to 35" tires I had to do the extra lift. We also subsequently installed a 2" suspension lift and 1" body lift to ensure that we did not have unnecessary rubbing when flexing the suspension to the max. The 35" caused a few hickups with the Bushwackers prior to the installation of the 2" suspension lift and 1" body lift.

Oddly, I dont have many pics of the car on-road. Here is a pic that was taken when my brothers daughter and her friend whent to their year-end function when she finished her schooling.

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Matriekafskeid/Hannelie1.jpg

[DesertLeon]

Ok, so where to start?...

The engine that I was fortunate to get hold of is a Hemi V8, 6.4L VVT. Now, before any of you correct me... The 6.4L has been developed for the 2011 SRT8 and one or two other models. ( I hope my information is reasonably accurate! ;)) It's two younger brothers are the 5.7VVT and 6.1VVT.

The engine is said to produce about 600hp at the flywheel.

Stripping....

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01404.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01402.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01400.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01359.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01360.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01399.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01398.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01408.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01364.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01409.jpg

[Bozza]

Dude!! That thing on the road is tough as nuts!! Also, what bonnet are you running?

[DesertLeon]

Here is the 3.8L V6 and the transmission on the floor...

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/DSC01407.jpg

The 6.4L Hemi getting ready for installation. At this point it has been mated with the 5 step automatic gearbox that was bought with the Hemi.

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01446.jpg

[DesertLeon]

Dude!! That thing on the road is tough as nuts!! Also, what bonnet are you running?

Bozza, this is a TMD bonnet. I originally got it as it has the two exits on both sides as well as air ducts dissipates the hot air very effectively.

Used to look like this...

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/DSC_0302.jpg

Then like this...

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/DSC_00021.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%20Testing%2020%20June%202010/2010313-1.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/General%20JK/IMG00120-20100324-1544.jpg

[CRDSTU]

So the gearbox is a W5A580 that came with the Hemi? ie: from the SRT8 range and not a regular 545RFE?

Did the stock Tcase match straight up?

[DesertLeon]

I just saw another thread where there was lost of debate as to whether the 545RFE is a good capable fit with the 6.4L Hemi. I can confirm that it is a perfect marriage and the transfer case is a hassle free bolt on. Have now clocked about 7000km's with mine. Mostly heavy right foot driving and lots of offroad work. No hassle whatsover. What a great pleasure to drive!!

[DesertLeon]

With the engine out, the chassey was prepared for the welding of the engine mountings. In accordance with the instructions there is an inch or two to play with. However, some feel that the engine should sit as far back as possible. We stuck to the recommendation and all has worked out perfectly.

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01437.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01436.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01444.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01443.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01449.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01451.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Transplant%20Day%203/DSC01455.jpg

[DesertLeon]

Next up was to fit the exhaust. A custom build unit was fitted running 2 x 64mm stainless into a Y piece and then 89mm stainless to the rear box. The design was aimed at finding a balance between performance and sound. I did not want the exhaust to be too loud but at the same time did not want to lose the sound of the engine altogether. The result was spectacular.

Keep in mind that we fitted the Aussie built Longranger fuel tank and had to route carefully to accommodate everything.

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Exhaust/DSC00418.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Exhaust/DSC00416.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Exhaust/DSC00439.jpg

Also did some heatshielding...

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Exhaust/DSC00422.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Hemi%20Transplant/Exhaust/DSC00425.jpg

[CRDSTU]

Just brilliant......love it. That 6.4 must be so sweet.

Long Arms or adjustables in the factory mounts?

[DesertLeon]

The Full Traction Suspension sports adjustables that fits to factory mounting points. (Hope I understood your question correctly). It brought about a few challenges as the suspension components were meant for a Lefthand drive. The first challenge was to change the Pitman arm for one that had the correct configuration (in this case inversed) and dropped by an additional 2" or so. The two Dana 60 Rockjocks that I imported from the US were also meant for LHD application. Here are some pics on the adjustments we had to make to fit:-

Pitman Mods:-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/DroppedPitmanMandP.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%2013%20March%202010/DSC00645.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/NewPitmanfitted.jpg

Suspension Mods:-
This bracket was created as an inversed replacement of the unit already installed on the LHD Dana 60 (rear end).

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/P1060906.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/P1060892.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/P1060891.jpg

Brakes at the rear end are a direct swop over:-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/P1060907.jpg

Front end comes with disks. Standard units on the original Jeep Dana units are also a direct bolt on:-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%2013%20March%202010/DSC00661.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%2013%20March%202010/DSC00664.jpg

Images of the legendary Dana 60 Rockjocks:-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/DSC_0377.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/DSC_0376.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/DSC_0372.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/DSC_0371.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/DSC_0369.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/DSC_0380.jpg

Suspension being installed:-
http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%2013%20March%202010/DSC00638.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%2013%20March%202010/DSC00643.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/JK%2013%20March%202010/DSC00643.jpg

Fitting of the modified Dana 60's:-

Rear

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/Picture102.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/P1060935.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/P1060932.jpg

Front end:

We had to modify these components in the conversion process from LHD to RHD On the pic the bottom one is the original :-

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/P1060939.jpg

The rest at the front end was reasonably simple to fit.

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/Picture095.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/Picture094.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/Picture093.jpg

Here is a pic of the 5.5x5 bolt pattern wheels that I bought from Jarrard after finding them advertised on the ausjeepoffroad forum:-

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Suspension/ausjeep/IMGP5557.jpg

[DesertLeon]

Thought you might enjoy this music...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPzlftUt9pM

This was recorded shortly after we finished the installation of the Hemi. Revs to 6500rpm before switching through the 5 step 545RFE box.

Accelerates effortlessly to 180km/hr which is the point where I backed off purely as the thought occurred to me that this brick was never built for speed... ;)

[4WD4FUN]

Great work on the Mods to your JK.
Your attention to details on all issues is amazing and you could obviously write a lot more details with what you have changed on the JK but as they say a picture is a worth a thousand words.
I noticed you have even modified not only the centre hoop but the wings to your ARB bar to suit the flares and it is a credit to you as this modification looks brilliant and appears to have raised the sides an extra 25-30mm for more clearance from rocks increase the width to line up with the outside of the flare and also keep the inside true with the grill/flare and still look factory finish.
Great work on conversions and mods.

[DesertLeon]

Thank you 4WD4FUN. This was the effect after the Bushwackers went on. It bothered me and just did not look the part. A good friend that did much of the mechanical work on my JK then took hold of it and extended the front and rear ARB's. We made the front slightly wider so as to protect the wackers against trees and the like.

The rear was also widened and since we added a one inch body spacer an additional lip was added to the ARB to close the gap between the top of the bumper and the body. Not sure I have a photo of this right now, but will post as soon as I find one:

Front end (initially)...

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/General%20JK/JeepFrontreBushwackerandBumpermods.jpg

Front end (being modified)...

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6254.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6252.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6336.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6335.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6334.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6271.jpg

Rear ARB (widened with lip)

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/General%20JK/PC140921.jpg

Tilting the hoop forward was just a wacky thought that Mark and Peter had whilst they were busy widening the wings of the ARB's. Turned out really nice but I must admit that I was quite reluctant initially! ;)

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6335.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/Jeep%20JK/Mods/IMGP6334.jpg

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/The%20Genesis%20JK%20Jeep/Leonjeep1r.jpg

And here is my favourite picture of the Genesis...

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/DesertLeon/The%20Genesis%20JK%20Jeep/Creekr.jpg

[RYANGLER]

very nice jk

[Jimmyb]

Great read. Thanks for sharing. Love the Rockjocks!! Shame the US doesnt offer them designed to bolt str8 on to RHD vehicles also.

[DesertLeon]

Great pleasure to be sharing! :)

I wonder whether one can not order those Rockjocks configured for RHD's? I stood by whilst the guys were setting my caster and camber and learnt then about the subtle differences in the setup of the diff as the camber on the LHD road is different from the camber of the RHD that we have in SA and in AUS.

After the installation of the new suspension the car really had a tendency to wander. Caster is currently set at about 5 degrees, however, it might work better at 6 to 6.5 degrees. We will set accordingly next week and report back on the result in due time.

This afternoon we solved the problem of the open K&N air intake. You will see in earlier pics that we had installed a Safari snorkel early on. The standard 3.8L V6 used this as the intake but with the installation of the V8 we kept the air intake open. I had never been comfortable with this as we cross deep water from time to time. I will post pics of the new air intake configuration as it now breaths via the snorkel.