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Flyin6
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Here are a few pics I took at the shop yesterday. The purple Jeep is getting the final version of this newly created Hemi swap. They built an initial Gladdy a couple of months ago, then (If I have the story correct) modified it with version 2, which is going in as I write this.
The old powerplant is visible on the floor, as is the new motor, a 426 pictured next to the JT on the engine stand.
My JT will be the first production version of this kit, now available to the general public. It differs from the AMW process in several ways. Interestingly, the mechanic who will be doing the conversion was a long-time employee of AMW and really knows his stuff. He said that, unlike the AMW swap, no hammering in the floorpan will occur. Looking at the JT body hanging in the air, the passenger's inner floorpan needs to be heavily cleared to clear the exhaust.
The Exhaust differs in this new installation, which solves that problem. Another problem with the AMW setup concerns the steering. They convert over to a PS hydraulic pump, and that is fine except there is no surge chamber. Therefore, you can create a circumstance where you actually get no steering assist. The answer is to go with the PSC system with a reservoir and surge tank, or just stay with the stock electric over-hydraulic pump. Apparently, you can make a selection here, and I may well go with the factory system, but with the increased pressure modification.
The motor mount system is also vastly different. I looked at the AMW setup, which uses a captured 5.7 hemi truck rubber mount, unlike the setup we enjoy in our gas JTs. My setup will mirror the system we currently have, which is both strong and dampens engine vibrations.
Finally, I think I may select a single-piece rear driveshaft to get rid of the carrier bearing, as per their recommendations.
And last but not least, the High Lift guys, who have done something like 100 Hemi swaps, feel strongly in the 4.88 gear for pretty much all tire sizes the JT uses. 37's to them are akin to roller skates. I think they run a 42 or a 43-inch tire on theirs.
Did I mention, they do bobbed beds as well???
The old powerplant is visible on the floor, as is the new motor, a 426 pictured next to the JT on the engine stand.
My JT will be the first production version of this kit, now available to the general public. It differs from the AMW process in several ways. Interestingly, the mechanic who will be doing the conversion was a long-time employee of AMW and really knows his stuff. He said that, unlike the AMW swap, no hammering in the floorpan will occur. Looking at the JT body hanging in the air, the passenger's inner floorpan needs to be heavily cleared to clear the exhaust.
The Exhaust differs in this new installation, which solves that problem. Another problem with the AMW setup concerns the steering. They convert over to a PS hydraulic pump, and that is fine except there is no surge chamber. Therefore, you can create a circumstance where you actually get no steering assist. The answer is to go with the PSC system with a reservoir and surge tank, or just stay with the stock electric over-hydraulic pump. Apparently, you can make a selection here, and I may well go with the factory system, but with the increased pressure modification.
The motor mount system is also vastly different. I looked at the AMW setup, which uses a captured 5.7 hemi truck rubber mount, unlike the setup we enjoy in our gas JTs. My setup will mirror the system we currently have, which is both strong and dampens engine vibrations.
Finally, I think I may select a single-piece rear driveshaft to get rid of the carrier bearing, as per their recommendations.
And last but not least, the High Lift guys, who have done something like 100 Hemi swaps, feel strongly in the 4.88 gear for pretty much all tire sizes the JT uses. 37's to them are akin to roller skates. I think they run a 42 or a 43-inch tire on theirs.
Did I mention, they do bobbed beds as well???
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