426 Hemi swap on existing drive train

[Christian Welton]

Would a 426 Hemi engine swap, AMW 606 engine and transmission basic package circa net $36K, be reliable and durable, for a 2022 JTR?

I like my new Gladiator Rubicon, but I miss the useful power of my old truck I had traded in for.

I’d prefer a 426 now and then later may add a super charger.

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[Escape.idiocracy]

Would a 426 Hemi engine swap, AMW 606 engine and transmission basic package circa net $36K, be reliable and durable, for a 2022 JTR?

I like my new Gladiator Rubicon, but I miss the useful power of my old truck I had traded in for.

I’d prefer a 426 now and then later may add a super charger.

Reliable and durable? Sure man ??? but let’s be real, we aren’t doing a swap like this to save gas and rubber….. so the sooner you can get some proper axles under it the better. Best to leave 1310 u-joints in the drive shafts for quick, easy and cheap replaceable insurance…. (Every build needs a weak link )

do it. ??

 

[Hdog911]

Would a 426 Hemi engine swap, AMW 606 engine and transmission basic package circa net $36K, be reliable and durable, for a 2022 JTR?

I like my new Gladiator Rubicon, but I miss the useful power of my old truck I had traded in for.

I’d prefer a 426 now and then later may add a super charger.

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I think you'll be just fine on stock driveline with those skinny tires and you can probably put 37s or 38s and beadlocks and wheel trouble free for years as well. More traction along with more torque means more binding in the drivetrain and that is what'll breakstuff. But the driveline should be able to handle naturally aspirated V8 power and mud terrians levels of grip on pavement and last a while. One example is remember lightbrites hellcat powered wrangler, it still had a stock transfer case and lasted 50k miles of abuse or something. The weaklink is gonna be the axles or driveshafts. If its the driveshafts I think that's preferable.

Reference: I'm stage 1 diesel that is about 300hp and 540 ft lbs of torque. I do not give a lot of throttle if I notice things are binding, but other than that I give it hell and floor it everywhere. I do 2wd hi and rear locker engaged driving way more than I should, drifting that ass end, also just general hooliganism without thinking too much about it. Your axles will definitely see less torque (my torque comes on early so my driveline always see the full amount, plus the 426 has 30 ftlbs less peak torque anyway) and probably less abuse (i'm on wide heavy tires, I built a wanna-be jeep prerunner and think I'm a racetruck driver) then mine so you'll be fine imo. This things held up to 6 months of a mix of use and abuse so far, both on pavement and off road. Everything is still pretty tight and new feeling.

I trussed my front and gusseted the c's through a local shop but that's the only axle work I have done. The housing has a weakspot and is known to crack at the fad section. With the extra weight of the diesel and abuse I put mine through I thought it was good insurance. That being said Ive done like 6 alignments over the past year and my axles have sagged but they settled into values that they were still straight enough (camber values were low) to be just within spec. My front drive shaft needs to be replaced, but that's because I have "too much" travel. Stock rear drive shaft is actually really nice and I hope I don't have to replace it ever. As for axle shafts, I dont worry about them, everything is new, it'll probably be fine for a year or two of a reasonable mix of use/abuse if your not jumping it or whiskey throttling into a really badly binded driveline situation. If your worried about them, you can get stock take offs for cheap and have a back up ready.

type of driving i like to do:

 

[Christian Welton]

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, and with cool video.

are you going to keep what looks like a windshield crack as a feature?

I’m thinking adding on 8-piston brakes and perhaps the stronger drive shaft while stronger axles (Dana 60/80) may not be needed.

I like the stock 33” tires, but would consider taller tires if they’ll fit in the spare tire carrier AND would expand my remote mountains exploring capabilities. So far, with four Jeeps I’ve done well enough with 31” to 33” tires. With a 2-door Wrangler, I nearly flipped over taking a fast turn so I dig keeping all four of those rubbers on asphalt.

 

[Bpine]

Would a 426 Hemi engine swap, AMW 606 engine and transmission basic package circa net $36K, be reliable and durable, for a 2022 JTR?

I like my new Gladiator Rubicon, but I miss the useful power of my old truck I had traded in for.

I’d prefer a 426 now and then later may add a super charger.

I am not sure if it was a typo but the AMW 426 kit is 47k + labor not 36 unless I am missing something.

 

[Christian Welton]

Net comes out to that (+ labor) when factoring in trade in credit for old engine and tranny

 

[shrinkhead]

pretty sure their prices include the credit. at least that was the case when I got my quote. prices aside on those skinny tires the 392 will be more than plenty of power. the weak link for all conversion will be your range. axles 40s and a V8 will bring you below 10MPGs. just keep that in mind.

 

[bring44]

pretty sure their prices include the credit. at least that was the case when I got my quote. prices aside on those skinny tires the 392 will be more than plenty of power. the weak link for all conversion will be your range. axles 40s and a V8 will bring you below 10MPGs. just keep that in mind.

Digging this up from the grave...there is no way a 426 swap will come out to 36k from AMW.

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