TJ: Wild TJ LS1 & makeover

[WILDTJ]

Since I picked up the TJ the soft top was pretty shot with lots of scratches on the tinted quarter windows and rear window, along with broken zippers on DS quarter window and rear window all held in place with cable ties.


But by chance cpl of nights ago I browsed eBay to see what prices a new soft top is going for, seeing I have finally started to get some work again. I stumbled across a guy selling a complete top from a TJ Golden Eagle, all framework and a tailgate bar, which I was missing. It had been carefully stored for years and previously only had about 6 mths use on and off, an absolute bargain for $220 and a cpl of hours round trip drive.

I prefer the clear windows.


Rear window finally zips closed and secures at base now I have a tailgate bar. Few wrinkles from window being rolled up for many years and only a few fine scratches.


The old upper half door skins are in a pretty rough state too but I can replace them very soon as funds allow to finish the top update.


Long term I would love a Trektop NX in Black Twill but this will keep me going for a year or so.

[XR8 jeep]

That was a bargain. I just $365 for a complete soft top,plus tinted windows. Smittybuilt. In the states, off eBay.


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[XR8 jeep]

Hey mate. I'm really curious about the LS1. I'm sort of opposite. I want to go with a 5.4 BOSS 290kw XR8 engine. I have a 2000 tj sport. Any any idea where I should start besides the engine.

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[rang0]

Originally Posted by XR8 jeep

Hey mate. I'm really curious about the LS1. I'm sort of opposite. I want to go with a 5.4 BOSS 290kw XR8 engine. I have a 2000 tj sport. Any any idea where I should start besides the engine.

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Ls1 can be done cheaply as alot of chevy parts can be used rather then having things made. If you want something different like a boss v8 it might be a expensive project. Its very easy to loose motivation on a project that is hard to find parts. In saying that novak more than likely will have what you need but it will cost.

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[WILDTJ]

Originally Posted by XR8 jeep

Hey mate. I'm really curious about the LS1. I'm sort of opposite. I want to go with a 5.4 BOSS 290kw XR8 engine. I have a 2000 tj sport. Any any idea where I should start besides the engine.

Yeah, as Rango mentioned the LS series engine swaps have been tried and fine tuned over many years, and parts like bolt-in engine mounts, stand alone wiring harnesses and programmed PCM's for diff ratios and tyre size are readily available and very affordable.

If you go down the path of a later Ford V8 swap then you risk having to do alot of custom work including engine mounts, unknown issues with wiring or if PCM can be reprogrammed easily, or at all, fuel system pressures, etc, etc, etc.

Who knows who has done this swap, most are usually custom fab 4x4 shops in USA. Even Novak only does mounts for the Windsor style engines. Let alone the cost of engine and trans of the BOSS setup will likely be more expensive than an LS1.

[WILDTJ]

In a nutshell research, research, research. Let Google and the internet be your friend to find any and all info on the swap you are looking at, then you can make an informed decision.

[WILDTJ]

Well after 6 months unemployment I have been offered a full-time role back in Tasmania, which I have accepted, commencing 22nd Aug, so on the 19th the TJ is making the drive from Adelaide to Melbourne, and on the Spirit to Tassie overnight.

Looking forward to exploring bits of Tassie I never got to last time residing there.