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Thinking About Doing An Ls Swap In My 66 Cj6

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Mopar_tim, Aug 23, 2016.

  1. Aug 23, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    I am thinking about doing an LS swap on my 66 cj6, I have been doing some searching and I have found lots of parts and kits to do it on the later amc jeeps but not much info on the earlier short nose jeeps

    Has it been done?

    I am not afraid to gut the grill or even the firewall if needed, my main concerns is the narrow frame and getting everything to fit

    My plans are gm LS motor, dodge 23 spline nv4500, and a Dana 300, with narrowed Chevy Dana 60 and 14 bolt
     
  2. Aug 23, 2016
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    You didn't say what year LS?.............The motor is just about the same width and length as a Small Block ......motor mounts are a little more tricky with most exhaust.............On a short hood the radiator needs to go forward or the firewall may need some work so the engine can move backwards a little.....no rear distributor so that's good.....the exhaust can be tricky where the old column needs to exit the firewall...........also due to the narrow chassis getting the pipes to go rearward inside the frame rails between the tranny ,300 and frame rails will be tough..........The belt drive system on the LS will be an issue up front with the narrow chassis......some of the aftermarket systems can be made to work , just depends on the accessories you choose..................The LS is a nice platform ...........if your going crate the electronics are fairly simple...........anything used will probably need a new harness and the ECM re-configured.
     
  3. Aug 23, 2016
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    Thinking to box the frame? Likely a lot of power for stock C-channel. Assuming you dont intend to baby the skinny pedal if you are putting in an LS.
     
  4. Aug 23, 2016
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    Thinking to box the frame? Likely a lot of power for stock C-channel. Assuming you dont intend to baby the skinny pedal if you are putting in an LS.
     
  5. Aug 23, 2016
    jonah

    jonah Member

    Huntington Beach, CA
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    I put a 2004 Tahoe motor in my 3B, it is very tight. I bumped out the firewall a bit and gutted the grill, but I made it without stretching the hood. The exhaust was tight, I am running modified truck manifolds, in stock form they dumped right onto the frame rails. I trimmed the huge outlet flange and welded on a V-band that angled the outlet to the inside of the frame. Overall, it should be a little easier on a CJ6 because you will have extra width in the cowl/fender area.

    [​IMG][​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Mopar_tim likes this.
  6. Aug 24, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    I don't have a year figured out, I guess that is part of my searching, if one year or another is easier then that will be my route to go.
    As for the column as long as I can keep the stock look inside the interior I would not have a problem going with a different column to make the exhaust easier
    Accessories on the front of the engine were one of my concerns, I would like to try and keep as much stock as possible so that parts are avalable easily in the future. So I guess some more measuring and research is needed
     
  7. Aug 24, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    I will probably build a whole new chassis
     
  8. Aug 24, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    This makes me feel like it's all more doable, do you have any pictures of the grill or firewall ?
     
  9. Aug 24, 2016
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
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    Not sure there is any year that is easier than the other...........as I mentioned you'll have to deal with a harness and ECM one way or the other..........In my build I chose to go with a Crate LS which eliminates the question of engine condition and also electronic's which they can supply in a plug and play mode.

    As you can see from Jonah's pictures above.......the original loom has allot of wires , most of which more than likely are not being used in one form or another.........in his second photo Jonah has done an outstanding job to package them all up. There are plenty of companies out there that will built you a custom loom for your application and also supply the ECM for your combination..............Or you can modify the loom yourself.

    Not sure where you live regarding Smog Laws and registration but you should read up about that on engine swapping.

    The exhaust you choose will determine how the column will exit , plenty of options there........you can either compromise both or make one happy..........As far as the chassis is concerned and the drive systems up front keeping an open mind is necessary as all parts are fair game to be changed or modified...........Can it be done?...................Absolutely
     
  10. Aug 24, 2016
    jonah

    jonah Member

    Huntington Beach, CA
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    I will snap a few pics of the firewall and grill today.

    I am running the truck front accessories. You can get the corvette stuff that is about an inch shorter, but they are a little pricy. It is really tight in the front. The nose of the water pump pulley is actually forward of the back of the electric fans.

    For the harness I modified the stock one that came with the motor. It took about two nights and four cold ones to strip it down to the necessities and label all the wires. I had the smog and security stripped from the factory computer by Brendan at LT1swap.com for $75. I am running everything stock, so I just left the factory tune in place. LT1swap is a great resource as Brendan has charts with all the pin outs for the different years and he lays out which wires to keep and which to pull. It makes it pretty straight forward.
     
  11. Aug 24, 2016
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

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    Awesome you fit that in a 3b, man that seems like a ton of power for an early jeep.

    Throttle down customs makes a some sweet frames that could be a good starting point.
     
  12. Aug 24, 2016
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

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    Good idea. Just makes the whole process easier.

    LS swaps are a great idea especially since you're already thinking of making a frame. Tons of info out there on how to swap the LS into anything, shouldn't be any difference other than how it fits. A car manifold will save you some inches up top, but you're more likely to find a truck engine out there. I think to help make it fit, move the engine up as much as you can to help fit exhaust and things like that.
     
  13. Aug 24, 2016
    jonah

    jonah Member

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    I found a shot that shows the engine to radiator clearance:

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Aug 24, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    I will likly go something crate but used, there are a few company's out there that get the engines, do a mild check over of them, build harnesses and test the motors ....

    And as for the frame, I have not done much searching but I think my plan is going to be to make the frame wider like the newer jeeps, but still keep the short nose, the wider frame will make it more stable plus give me a bit more room, just have to make body mounts work which should be easy enough
     
  15. Aug 24, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    That's very close, is that a custom rad ? Or did you find a part number somewhere that worked size wise
     
  16. Aug 27, 2016
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
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    I'm going to be running a CJ8 frame under my 1964 CJ6. but, I'm also going to be running a late model front clip to match the CJ8 wheelbase. All I need to modify on the frame is the rear hang-over. And the body mount locations on the tub.
     
  17. Aug 27, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    I just like the difference of the short nose, I am going to try my best to keep it that way

    Once I start building the frame and have the engine so I can measure everything I will make the final choice
     
  18. Aug 27, 2016
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
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    I was going to run the short front but, after multiple measurements. Decided that I needed more room so the extra 5" of the late model front nose was needed. Which worked out good once I figured out the minimal modifications needed to run the CJ8 frame.
     
  19. Aug 27, 2016
    jonah

    jonah Member

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    That is a Champion radiator, 3 core. I think it is a generic chevy conversion rad. I will see if I can find the part number in my file.

    Still have to get some pics of the firewall for you.

    The long nose would definitely make life easier, but why do that...lol!
     
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  20. Oct 9, 2016
    Mopar_tim

    Mopar_tim New Member

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    So I found myself a good deal on a dodge 23 spline nv4500

    Has anyone used this transmission with the stock 225 ?
     
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