Cost to do a Hemi 5.7 or 6.4 swap in a Jeep Gladiator?

[Sandman21]

Keep in mind that any of the 6.4 and Hellcat swap costs will not usually include the upgrade axles and drive shafts that will be needed and will push you into 3/4-1 ton axles that will run another $20K and then another $3K-$4K for tires and wheels. You can easily find yourself $60K plus into a proper swap when all said and done.

Hey, remember me from ticking noise thread? Lol now thinking about this if they finally fix my 3.6l and can run till finish paying my JT. Why axles if factory put hemi in the 392 with Dana 44s? Mine is Sport S Max tow, so same Rubicon axles and transfer case I believe then I’d only need hemi tuned suspension with a base hemi swap no?

Sponsored

 

[Hootbro]

Hey, remember me from ticking noise thread? Lol now thinking about this if they finally fix my 3.6l and can run till finish paying my JT. Why axles if factory put hemi in the 392 with Dana 44s? Mine is Sport S Max tow, so same Rubicon axles and transfer case I believe then I’d only need hemi tuned suspension with a base hemi swap no?

The factory Wrangler 392 (470HP) JL's use a full time 4WD system that generally spits the power 50/50 with some instances of 100% to the rear with certain wheel slip scenarios.

Somebody doing 6.4 Hemi Conversion is generally going to be 2WD most of the time with 100% of the power/torque on the rear. Start getting into the Hellcat/Demon swaps and you are looking at 707HP and 840HP respectively.

The factory Wrangler 392 JL's have not been bullet proof either with some smoking the transfer case clutches and a few having broken the front axle where they do a factory FAD delete.

Exodus 4x4 that has done a shit ton of Hemi conversions has said the factory axles D44 Advantek will hold up to the 5.7 conversion all day long but once you put the 6.4 conversion in, it will work for most normal around town and light trail driving if you baby it but if you have to full send it on the trail, not so much. The Hellcat and Demon swaps require 1 ton axles regardless.

 

[shrinkhead]

I would say if you upgrade the shafts,, stick to 4.10s and don’t go above 38s the stock axles are bullet proof with even hard abuse on the trails for the 6.4L been doing that for 2 years now.

you do need a lift though to fit the engine. also HEMI tuned suspension is a bit of marketing speak.

 

[JTPatriot]

As for axle strength, I can only attest to the 5.7 hemi.

I have the 5.7 with factory Rubicon axles, geared to 4.88 with 38" Patagonia's. RCV axles front with axle truss and chromoly axles in the rear. Been to Colorado and Moab twice (Imogene, Engineer, Poughkeepsie Gulch, Metal Masher, Poison Spider, Moab Rim and a few others).

At this stage the axles are holding up fine and have no plans to change them, unless I go bigger tires and more horsepower which probably will not happen.......maybe.

 

[Mopar King]

I would say if you upgrade the shafts,, stick to 4.10s and don’t go above 38s the stock axles are bullet proof with even hard abuse on the trails for the 6.4L been doing that for 2 years now.

you do need a lift though to fit the engine. also HEMI tuned suspension is a bit of marketing speak.

Hemi tuned suspension isn't marketing speak. They have both the shocks and springs specifically built by Terraflex and Falcon to support the additional weight of the powertrain.

 

[Racer~X]

Looking at hemi swaps now...have a long range america aux tank installed. exodus wont touch it with the aux tank, AMW will do it and say they've done it with tank several times. Leaning towards 5.7L instead of 392. I dont care about resale value. less weight, less wear and tear on my suspension and driveshafts and 87 octane are appealing with the 5.7. Not looking for a 1/4 mile stop light burner. Just need some more grunt for towing, and just got my Glad back from dodge dealer yesterday bc the 3.6l lifters shit the bed at 50k miles, got all new lifters, camshaft, rockers, solenoid. Dont trust this engine tho and when the powertrain warranty is up at 60K, no reason to keep it.

Anyone who has done a hemi swap for 392 or the 5.7 V8, please let me know your experience with reliablity, wear and tear on suspension and drivesharft components afterwards and mileage. Concerned about what I need to beef up without going to 1 ton axles. From what Im reading in this thread, the 5.7L would be easier on everything.

My current setup is rubicon with Dana 44s, RCV axles in front, chromoly in rear; Adams 1350 front driveshaft; 3.5" metalcloak lift, 1 ton tie rod ends, teraflex ball joints, Falcon 3.3 adj shocks, Fox steering stabilizer, synergy sector brace, teraflex swaybar relocation kit for rear, 37" nittos, 5:13 yukon gears. I would really like to keep the Dana 44s, and truss at least the front axle. Thanks in advance. Sounds like I should go back to 4:10 gears if I swap for any V8?

 

[Mopar King]

I am the only one here that I am aware of that did the 5.7 first and then upgraded to the Hellcat. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Overall you aren't going to save yourself much money on fuel or suspension wear and tear by going with the 5.7.

 

[JTPatriot]

I did the 5.7 hemi in my Gladiator Rubicon. I have right around 30,000 miles on the conversion. Still brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. I use mine as a daily driver, camper towing and off roading, trails from Colorado to Moab. I have basically the same setup as you with exception of brand of lift and shocks. I have run 38's with 4.88 gears almost the entire time and I did truss my front axle. Reliability has been great, no major issues and everything has held up so far.

I went with the 5.7 for the same reason, octane. I was originally going to do the 6.4 but did not want to run premium all the time, so I went with the 5.7. Now if I was going to go with 1 ton axles and 40" or larger tires then I would probably do the 6.4 or more just for the power to make up for all the extra weight and rolling resistance of tires. I am sure there is a noticeable difference from the 5.7 to 6.4 but for me and my build, use. I am completely satisfied with my 5.7.

If you do it and retain the aux. tank, make sure to keep us informed how it turned out. I would really like to put in and long range America tank in mine. But from what I can see, exhaust would be extensive to get to fit with the tank.

 

[GtownTX]

I don't think the 6.4 is gonna weigh an ounce more than a 5.7...same block isn't it? I would really love to understand how I could do a fit of the aux tank post hemi swap.

 

[MF Comics]

If I had the money, definitely doing a manual 392 from Dakota Customs

had a Ram Rebel, great truck, but 345 isnt enough, nor is an automatic

 

[Racer~X]

Thanks for input so far fellas...weight of engines is interesting...from what I found 3.6L weighs about 340 lbs, 5.7L weighs 560 and the 392 weights 582. not much weight penalty for the 392. hhhmmmm.

 

[GtownTX]

The relatively small $ increment to go to the 6.4...once you are these ranges...I was concerned if I didn't spend the extra ~5K, that I would regret not buying the extra torque and hp. Clearly everyone has to make their own budget decisions...but the 6.4 is a beast and I don't wish for anything extra.

 

[MF Comics]

Super curious, whats peoples experience with Dakota Customs now

 

[GtownTX]

Super curious, whats peoples experience with Dakota Customs now

That's what I have in mine... I'd suggest your local installer will have a ton of influence on the result and your satisfaction.
My experience through Exodus4x4 was fantastic. The jeep has run awesomely. All features work just like OEM, although I haven't tried the hill descent control. My cruise control was a bit intermittent the first couple weeks but since then has been perfect. Had a number of things installed with the hemi swap and have come together great.

 

[MF Comics]

That's what I have in mine... I'd suggest your local installer will have a ton of influence on the result and your satisfaction.
My experience through Exodus4x4 was fantastic. The jeep has run awesomely. All features work just like OEM, although I haven't tried the hill descent control. My cruise control was a bit intermittent the first couple weeks but since then has been perfect. Had a number of things installed with the hemi swap and have come together great.

Good to know. Long story short, things work out, wanna buy a used Manual Rubi and have them Hemi swap it

Sponsored