Jeep Wrangler TJ - 5.3L LS Swap - Part 5

In this video we finish the wiring and take the jeep for a test drive!

[@stanwestcott7987]

I am maybe late with comment but for your wiring harness, Current Performance will do a "plug and play" to your original Jeep fuse box and the LS ECM. Even you original dash gauges will work. It is a little pricey but worth the headaches and delays. I am also learning more LS stuff as I see your videos. Thanks for your time giving all the details.

[@Saccityfarm_lyf]

Your the man!!! A dream we share but you have accomplished!!! Amazing sir!!

[@josephr9224]

Thank you for taking the time to make this series. You brought up a few issues I hadn’t thought of that will help me in my build this spring

[@longhorn8459]

Awesome, glad it helped. Good luck!

[@leviking9625]

I feel the excitement for you of getting to the end of a swap and hearing it turn over or fire up fore the first time! Always one of the best parts

[@slyhog007]

29:40 those studs are where your factory carpet attaches to the firewall so you can remove it easily! Great series of videos! I'm here from your thread WranglerTJForum.

[@longhorn8459]

Makes sense, thanks for the info!

[@daviddebuhr8995]

Really nice build series! Great looking TJ!

[@Glenb13]

Enjoyed this series. I’m in the middle of swapping a 6.0 into my 98 tj. Nice to see the steps you had to go through to get it running. Tip on the faded flares, a heat gun brings them back to black.

[@eduardoloya9437]

did you retain the A/C with the 6.0? I've heard that with the 6.0 the compressor is located in a not-great area to be installed in a TJ

[@Glenb13]

@@eduardoloya9437 I did the frame modification to make fit. Close but room. Mine never came with A/C, but kept it in the idea of possible adding A/C if I can find the parts and not too much of a headache. Liked the idea of a factory ac pump. It is in a bad spot. Depends on your suspension, any upper suspension links on the passenger side will hit it. Im going with a 3 link, upper on driver side. Check out Novak Conversations for pictures of how to cut and flip the section of frame if you would like to keep it.

[@AlxJrz401]

Great videos, I have a 97 Tj about to drop a 5.3! love the sound of that engine!

[@gasratzcustoms]

This is awesome!!!! Love the swap and the build!!!!! Great job!!

[@NandoSubia]

Just binged your whole series! Love the project man. I'd like to do the same to my 2002 TJ down the road.

[@longhorn8459]

Nando Subia you can do it!

[@ItsMojoHQGaming]

Same here. Just watched the whole build. I can’t imagine how great it felt the second it started moving.

[@joecruz4846]

Sending this video to the mechanic. Just in case. This Friday is the swap day for my scrambler. Can’t wait.

[@longhorn8459]

Good luck!

[@joecruz4846]

@@longhorn8459 thanks man

[@terryblood639]

I just bing watched your entire ls swap. Great job and I will be referring to it many times as I narrow down what my final plan will be. Will you be giving a breakdown of pricing and locations for all the adapters and parts you had to put on?

[@longhorn8459]

Terry Blood I do plan on doing this, happy to answer any questions you have in the meantime.

[@johnestes2034]

Incredible series just binged all of them. That should be on Motor Trend TV. Thanks.

[@longhorn8459]

Thanks John, glad you enjoyed it!

[@daleduckett1481]

Awesome videos, just watched them all. Thanks for shooting, editing and posting as that is more work on top everything else... I'm hoping to do the same swap in an 05 TJ down the road so researching now. Looking forward to seeing with all the A/C, etc. done. Thanks again - really helpful.

[@longhorn8459]

Glad you enjoyed, hopefully getting AC this week and maybe get it inspected to do a “final” video although I’ll never be done tinkering with this thing!

[@eugenekacz9648]

Watched all of the series, Excellent job sir!

[@longhorn8459]

Thank you!

[@claudexy]

everything looks great to me. very good job..congrats...!!!

[@edgarpizarroso6933]

excellent work, congratulations, as you did to get signal from the RPM and mark on the panel

[@jky21]

Amazing clean job! looking forward to doing mine.

[@longhorn8459]

Good luck!

[@kevinls112]

I cant wait to finish mine ,great vids!!!

[@longhorn8459]

Good luck!

[@scottydoesntknow254]

Good shit man. I wanna do a ls swap jeep. Right now I'm now I'm doing a 1990 c1500 5.3 swap that's almost done.

[@alwaysopen7970]

I have a 93 w/4.3 and want to do the same.

[@Aaroncroy252016]

Awesome videos man, I'm planning on doing an engine swap on my TJ and this will be helpful.

[@longhorn8459]

Glad you liked them, good luck with your build!

[@chasedavis4206]

Longhorn, I own the same exact Jeep as you and I'm looking to LS swap mine as well in the next few years. Your series was super informative and I'd really like to see an update on your build! If you ever see this - it'd be so cool if I were able to get some insight on where to even start.. but um.. when's the next build?

[@longhorn8459]

Well if you watch the series from start to finish I know you'll think of where to start, definitely need to find the engine/trans and plan out budget, timeframe, tools needed, etc. next build is probably when I retire and my kids get older, this was a labor of love and a dream of mine, one day I'll get a new dream with cars but right now it's staying fit, working on my golf game, and trying to stay sane balancing work and family!

[@elflaco4550]

Thought we would see a video of it in the sand 💪

[@longhorn8459]

I’m about to post a new video!

[@fogstain]

Trim and bumper is good stuff

[@longhorn8459]

Agreed, many ways to skin the cat.

[@mschumaker1]

man just when I think I want to tackle a project like this I see a video like this of all the random crap that needs done and it sucks the fun out of it

[@longhorn8459]

it was not for the faint of heart but I was awfully proud of the effort, it definitely took dedication but was so fun! Hopefully if you tackle it, the videos will help you make it smoother than my journey went!

[@mschumaker1]

@@longhorn8459 thanks man. I've done engine swaps before but always in "like for like" cars. Fitting the V8 in the Jeep frame, relocating accessories, the wiring, ECM, cooling, etc etc etc. I did look at the Novak website after you totalled up all your costs. THey basically have a part or kit to do all aspects of this swap and make it complete with newer, easier updates. Makes it significantly more expensive though as you noted

[@MrJdb2005]

Hi, I know it’s been a while since your swap was complete. But you never showed the finished product of your gas pedal installation. I’m in the middle of my swap and that’s one of the things I have not figured out yet, so I was curious what you did. Could you send a pic thank you. Great video

[@longhorn8459]

Sorry for the late reply. It took some work from what I remember, I think three mounting bolts with the old GM pedal and you just have to wing it to install. What’s your email and I’ll try to send a pic.

[@MrJdb2005]

Thanks I appreciate it

[@diduck6878]

Crank and cam sensors gives you spark

[@SpcStanley]

Any luck with the a/c? I had the original LS denso mounted but not interested in notching the frame. Will probably switch to the r4 like you did. Also do you think there is anyway to switch the check engine light in the dash over to the LS ECM? I asked Novak when I bought the tachometer emulator from them and they said they would get back with me but that was months ago.

[@longhorn8459]

I have successfully installed the a/c, planning an update video soon. Check engine light, no, the jeeps lights up from the pcm so you'll have to go separate light, I am planning on removing the cluster and cutting the light off so it's not on constantly. Also, did you know they sell an emulator that includes cruise control that uses stock TJ steering wheel controls? I didn't but they do, I'm planning to exchange my emulator for one of those. Let me know how else I can help.

[@SpcStanley]

Nope and I called them when I ordered, wish they would have told me. It’s not on there site either that I can find. I haven’t installed it yet and it’s still sealed in the bag, hope they will let me swap it. If I cut the light out of the cluster would it be possible to run a light/led from the gm ecm and glue it to the cluster where the old light was? Any idea what wire would send 12v with mil on?

[@longhorn8459]

@@SpcStanley Maybe on running the light and gluing it, I'm not sure and I haven't taken off the cluster to really look into it, haven't found many detailed videos on how the lights work. You mean 12v with mil on from GM? My Novak harness came with two wires that I hooked up to a small red light and installed it where I showed in the video, I'm sure you can find the pin outs from the GM wiring diagrams if you're doing your own harness.

[@SpcStanley]

Yep 12v from gm with mil on. I have the original LS harness but it sounds like Novak figured it out for you so it sounds like it can be done. I’ll find a pin out and see how it works.

[@longhorn8459]

@@SpcStanley What year is your donor engine? What year is your jeep? This is the website I would use for wiring diagrams lt1swap.com/wiringharness.htm

[@ForceBuilt]

Subscribed. You should have more Subs! Very well done. I just hit 1K subs with my 97 TJ Vids.

[@TM-qq5yg]

8:26 "Does my battery need to be a Jeep battery" ROFL

[@longhorn8459]

Yes the joys of recording as I spew things that don’t make sense, I should have edited that out! You do need the right sized battery to fit vs the suburban sized battery which is what I was thinking when I said that.

[@ForceBuilt]

Do you still have the Jeep and how is it doing? Would you consider a quick update video? I rebuilt my 4 banger(Think you commented on one of my videos). I am still considering doing an LS swap one day. Great info here! Thanks again!

[@longhorn8459]

Hey whats up, good to hear from you! I do still have it, I actually worked on it the other day which I can explain in a video, has to do with the fuel level sender for the LS and why it's necessary to pass inspections (at least in TX). I can't promise how quickly I can get this done but suffice to say I would still recommend doing the swap but thinking back, it's a ton of work, a true labor of love and not cheap! But, I wouldn't trade my unique jeep for the world!

[@ForceBuilt]

@@longhorn8459 I am considering doing this swap in the future when I actually have a different daily driver. Concerning the computers. Did you keep the Jeep computer along with the LS computer? If so what all is it used for? Thanks

[@longhorn8459]

@@ForceBuilt I did keep the jeep computer, I think the cluster still needs it to run unless you're going with new gauges, not sure what else the jeep computer runs but it certainly had a lot plugged into it! I'd suggest asking Novak if they have any strong opinions but it wasn't too bad to keep both. The wires are messier than I'd like but such is life.

[@overlanding9840]

Nice job on the swap, I did the same on a 2001 but I didn't put on CATs. can you tell me what brand CATs you used and are they still working or have they broken internally? I ask as I am wanting to add them now to get rid of the unburned fuel smell and I'm trying to go with aftermarket for price but I'm worried about them lasting.

[@longhorn8459]

not sure, muffler shop installed them, one has broken since and then they replaced.

[@jorgevizcarra4437]

I love the build series and awesome work with the engine swap! Just had a quick question do you think the dana 30 and 35/44 thag you have are strong enough for a bug V8 ?

[@longhorn8459]

Yes, so far they have held up just fine!

[@dthorsrud7414]

Great series, thanks for sharing. Do you have a source/PN for the starter? I bolted an AC Delco into my 98TJ today and it hangs about 1" past the back of the Novak header.

[@longhorn8459]

not sure, mine was stock that came with the engine

[@dthorsrud7414]

@@longhorn8459 Thanks for the reply. I ordered a MasterTorque PWM-6909 that 'should' clear the headers. Did you reconnect the cruise control?

[@longhorn8459]

@@dthorsrud7414 no I never did, but I think novak has an emulator that will work. I just drive it now but really don’t work on it, there are many more things I’d do to it but just don’t have the time anymore to mess with it

[@AntBlacktruck]

Awesome build series, very inspiring! What model Lokar shifter did you use?

[@longhorn8459]

Here is what I bought from Novak www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-xcos64l60eeb

[@JDelta777]

A few years later, still working well? Do you think it was a good idea to swap the 5.3? Or would you now do a Cummins 2.8L or something else?

[@longhorn8459]

Runs great! I don’t drive it often, mainly with kids to get donuts or going to sports but everything works. I don’t regret the choice of really anything. I wish it was a newer four door with 5 seats since I have a family of 5 but that’s my only complaint, the TJs are just so small.

[@Xx1AsILayDying1xX]

those exhaust welds lmao

[@longhorn8459]

Hayden Do'Urden you get what you pay for and it was cheap, no leaks!

[@Xx1AsILayDying1xX]

@@longhorn8459 they look like my dads welds haha

[@superkillr]

Always count on a youtube commenter to shit all over everything.

[@Xx1AsILayDying1xX]

@@superkillr to be fair, everyone here was having a laugh. You took offense.

[@dangelo5427]

By any chance do you have the part # for the lokar shifter?

[@longhorn8459]

I think it's in my video when I detail the cost

[@joemcgee2918]

whats the going rate on average to get this done in a competant shop on average?

[@longhorn8459]

No clue but I’d guess $30k?

[@kevinls112]

Did you have to cut the lower radiator hose to get it to fit?

[@longhorn8459]

Yes I did. I would recommend bending some wire in the shape of what you need and then going to autozone and have them help you find something that works, there won’t be an out of the box solution. I found the shape I needed but it was too long on one side so I had to cut.

[@kevinls112]

What lokar shifter is that? What length is the shifter shaft?

[@longhorn8459]

www.summitracing.com/parts/lok-xcos64l60eeb

[@homerunhita12]

where did you find the wiring info for the factory jeep harness?

[@longhorn8459]

They are all over Jeep forums, what year do you have?

[@homerunhita12]

@@longhorn8459 97 - I've been doing some research but can't seem to find a detailed list. Maybe I'm just spoiled because of lt1swap's breakdown of the GM harness haha. I really just need the basics similar to what you've done to have a functional cluster, and have the factory ignition switch perform as stock as possible. I'll be reworking a GM harness with lt1swaps info vs the novak harness route you went.

[@longhorn8459]

@@homerunhita12 wranglertjforum.com/threads/jeep-wrangler-tj-factory-service-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/

[@mutt457]

What shifter is that?

[@longhorn8459]

I think I explain in my parts video

[@Hennysgarage]

Why didn’t you just take the bolts off for the fenders😂😂

[@longhorn8459]

Have you tried on a TJ? They are a PITA and I wasn’t going for perfection! One day as I said I’ll probably tear the whole thing down and paint but for now, I just wanted to improve the faded grey fender and mission was accomplished!

[@Hennysgarage]

Longhorn84 yep, took them all off when some bad jumper cables melted one of them😂 yeah I agree it is a pain, but I zipped all those tiny screws out pretty quick. Now I think about it, that probably is the better way to go

[@Hennysgarage]

Longhorn84 your mission was definitely accomplished though. It looks so much better! Love the Jeep

[@notahacker2107]

Hey where in Texas do you live? I’m in San antonio

[@longhorn8459]

Houston

[@ulyssesleyva3163]

What’s the total cost of everything for you ?

[@longhorn8459]

Probably 8-9k

[@vinicarus]

​ @Longhorn84 Awesome video sequence. Really helps put into perspective how many things there are to take care of. None individually that hard, but just a lot going on. Of that 8-9k, how much was the motor & tranny from the yard?

[@MrDrtrdr4lyfe]

Did you use the GM peddle or Jeep peddle?

[@longhorn8459]

Had to use GM pedal since it's drive by wire and is electronic, vs drive by cable where you can use either pedal but probably would leave Jeep pedal in there.

[@MrDrtrdr4lyfe]

@@longhorn8459 oh gotcha. Thanks! I just pulled out my 5.3 out of my Tahoe. Do you have an IG?

[@longhorn8459]

@@MrDrtrdr4lyfe nope, I'm barely active on here but wanted to share my experience on the jeep!

[@MrDrtrdr4lyfe]

Thanks I appreciate! I’m currently doing the same thing and your vids have helped so much. How did you connect the fuel pedal from the Gm to Jeep?

[@perry73779]

Did you get it to pass Texas emissions?

[@longhorn8459]

Not yet, still have a wiring problem to run down on the 02 emissions but once I figure that out it should be good to go.

[@perry73779]

@@longhorn8459 with the Novak wiring upgrades, did your TJ OBDII work for scanning? Starting my checklist for a 5.3 here in GA and still have 2 more years of emissions on the 98.

[@longhorn8459]

@@perry73779 it won’t really work, it’s active and you can plug it in but it still thinks the engine is missing so it throws codes like crazy. You’ll have the LS obd2 end that you’ll run somewhere and that’s what they’ll scan, I ran it to stock location and put the old Tj just up in the dash but I don’t use it.

[@rosasangel123]

What wheels are those?

[@longhorn8459]

Mickey Thompson Deegan 38s I believe.

[@kevin43324332]

Enjoyed your videos. With that said , your muffler shop sucked. Shit welds and that front cat should of been tucked up more. Like ALOT more. Didn't see it in your videos but did you do anything with your engine internals? Cam, Timing chain etc?

[@longhorn8459]

Agree on the muffler, you get what you pay for, there are leaks and one cat already went bad. Nothing internal, at that point when I got the motor I wasn’t sure I’d actually be able to accomplish the task so I didn’t want to spend time and money on the internals. In hindsight I certainly wish I would have juiced the cam a bit and refreshed the internals but one day I hope to tear it all apart and actually restore the jeep.

[@kevin43324332]

@@longhorn8459 Yeah, I understand. I have a 97 TJ (original owner) and have a 4.6 stroker that I'm not satisfied with. She's on tons and 40s now and its just shit for power. I'm planning a 5.3 swap with a 4L60e. I have a FLAT Skid plate. Do you think that I'd be able to mustard that trans up higher than you did w/yours? Do you u know what degree your motors sitting with the mounts? 0? 5? Also, do you have a excel or something with parts list? Kinda picking parts from various videos like yours. Thanks for any help.

[@gshock3092]

Now you have a big headache! That won't run any longer than the 4.0

[@longhorn8459]

It will be way more fun to drive while it lasts!

[@gshock3092]

@@longhorn8459 u may be right but ive driven the same 4.0 for over 20 years now. Never had to worry about going anywhere. But breaking stuff cause of extra power? Naw.

[@longhorn8459]

@@gshock3092 what’s the fun in that?

[@gshock3092]

@@longhorn8459 u must be a youngster. U should just buy the Hellcat Rubicon with 808 hp . which has more power than what you got there!

[@longhorn8459]

@@gshock3092 I had a dream and I worked my butt off to make it happen, I did it myself in my own garage while teaching my kids the joys of using tools to fix and repair things. I love jeeps and 4.0s are great but a v8 jeep is something unique and I'm proud of the way it turned out! Thanks for watching!

[@bighurt4007]

Bad af

[@longhorn8459]

Thanks man, it was a really fun journey!

[@emilythurlow7613]

What did you do to get speedo to work?

[@longhorn8459]

The jeep speedo runs off the transfer case which I kept from the jeep so it runs like stock. The LS computer gets its signal from the transmission which is GM to GM so that’s all good as well.

[@emilythurlow7613]

@@longhorn8459 sounds good, thanks for the information

[@zachalonso8134]

What rims do you have?

[@longhorn8459]

Wheels are Mickey Thompson Deegan 38 and tires are Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3, I love the look!

[@JerimieZamora]

What size wheels?

[@longhorn8459]

@@JerimieZamora 35" tires, not sure on rim size, did you mean tire size or rim size?

[@JerimieZamora]

Rim size

[@longhorn8459]

15x10