Americas Most Wanted 4x4 425 Swap in California

[S JEEPN]

I always tell tho

Both a joke AND serious.

CA has the most homeless people in the country, FACT.

CA has the highest (after Hawaii, only due to shipping costs inflating EVERYTHING) cost of living in the country.

CA is one of the top 5 highest income states in the country.

CA is the 1st state to medicalize Marijuana.

CA has the most regulations.


I can go on, but I think you're already triggered. Have a great night!

It seems to me people talk bad about California out of jealousy sure politicians do stupid things in California but that is the problem everywhere. I always tell people they should not come to California the annoying warm climate, all that public land, the beaches, Marinas, islands, mountains, deserts all so close together along with the large economy all those different jobs to do and easy access to all the neighboring states with all the federal lands yeah it is just to much.

The Homeless level per capita in California is similar to the per capita homeless in Australia 4.7 per thousand to 4.8 per thousand pretty sad hopefully that all turns arounds somehow.

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[Dilly’S Willy]

Not ‘triggered’ dude. Just wondering why, if you hate CA soooooo much, you are bothering to read, let alone comment, in a thread SPECIFICALLY about a topic that only pertains to folks in CA. I guess I have better things to do then spout irrelevant nonsense on a Jeep forum but you do you. If you’d like to continue this conversation feel free to DM me, if not, then let this thread get back on topic

While I actually agree with most of that, it also has some of the best weather and some of the most diverse terrains to wheel in that I’ve ever experienced. And that’s worldwide. Yes, it’s expensive but those 2 things alone make me pretty glad to be here. I don’t know too many places that you can start out in the forest of Big Bear with snow and end up in Johnson valley with rocks as big as your rig.

While I agree there's basically no where else you can get the varying off-road options in a single state. I enjoyed the public land factor of the west coast while I was out there for a few years. But all the other drawbacks don't make up for the problems those places create due to sheer ignorance and politics.

I don't hate CA in general, but their politics and regulations that inevitably trickle into other states negatively, and keep getting worse...confirm my reasons to never even visit that state. I've lived in 4 other states and there's things that you just don't know until you experience them.
- For example: out west I was profiled worse than a black man in the deep south for riding a "crotch rocket" and a "dirt bike" (48 state road legal, plated, insured) by 99% of police, vs on the east coast they generally didn't care. Even simple things like PARKING PLACES, out west I constantly got harassed or cited for "illegal parking" even though I wasn't interfering with walkways, entrances, parking spaces, etc...yet out east I can park literally 3 feet from the front door to the mall, walmart, movie theater, etc and NEVER once did I get harassed or cited for it, even when there was police officers watching me park there. Heck the mall security came up out east one time just to compliment my bike and agree "nah man, you can park there idc, better than some people who take up a whole space for a scooter". Dude had me rolling off my seat.


I DO miss the public lands for off-roading. I do NOT miss the 110*F by end of march, the 13 UV index 9 month of the year, or the ignorance from politics and lack of education in general compared to the north east.
- The plan was to attend ASU for engineering (astrospace) but The Vid ripped that away and things just kept getting worse. So I said F this, never again. Combined with everything people I knew said about their experiences, even visiting in the last 5 years...fuuuuck no.

For those who enjoy it, y'all crazy af. But you cannot tell me you can afford living in a nicer area in CA for less then any other state (NYC isn't a state, people out west tried that all the time). The Cost of Living out there is absurd. I mean just look at what we've discussed about getting vehicles "legal" out there and the complications, more than 1/2 of the rest of the states don't have that kind of drama.

 

[whysoserious]

While I agree there's basically no where else you can get the varying off-road options in a single state. I enjoyed the public land factor of the west coast while I was out there for a few years. But all the other drawbacks don't make up for the problems those places create due to sheer ignorance and politics.

I don't hate CA in general, but their politics and regulations that inevitably trickle into other states negatively, and keep getting worse...confirm my reasons to never even visit that state. I've lived in 4 other states and there's things that you just don't know until you experience them.
- For example: out west I was profiled worse than a black man in the deep south for riding a "crotch rocket" and a "dirt bike" (48 state road legal, plated, insured) by 99% of police, vs on the east coast they generally didn't care. Even simple things like PARKING PLACES, out west I constantly got harassed or cited for "illegal parking" even though I wasn't interfering with walkways, entrances, parking spaces, etc...yet out east I can park literally 3 feet from the front door to the mall, walmart, movie theater, etc and NEVER once did I get harassed or cited for it, even when there was police officers watching me park there. Heck the mall security came up out east one time just to compliment my bike and agree "nah man, you can park there idc, better than some people who take up a whole space for a scooter". Dude had me rolling off my seat.


I DO miss the public lands for off-roading. I do NOT miss the 110*F by end of march, the 13 UV index 9 month of the year, or the ignorance from politics and lack of education in general compared to the north east.
- The plan was to attend ASU for engineering (astrospace) but The Vid ripped that away and things just kept getting worse. So I said F this, never again. Combined with everything people I knew said about their experiences, even visiting in the last 5 years...fuuuuck no.

For those who enjoy it, y'all crazy af. But you cannot tell me you can afford living in a nicer area in CA for less then any other state (NYC isn't a state, people out west tried that all the time). The Cost of Living out there is absurd. I mean just look at what we've discussed about getting vehicles "legal" out there and the complications, more than 1/2 of the rest of the states don't have that kind of drama.

Generally speaking, this forum is a safe space; you really shouldn't hold back on your thoughts as much as you have.

 

[Gvsukids]

The Homeless level per capita in California

Is 5th in the USA.

 

[SoCal Gunner]

Any chance to get back to discussing engine swaps in CA and navigating compliance hurdles? I'm genuinely curious to learn more.

 

[FLY-DOG]

Agree, time to get this thread back to the original question without the politics. Quote: "if you live in CA with an AMW V8 conversion, how are you passing the visual smog inspection?"

 

[Gvsukids]

Agree, time to get this thread back to the original question

Oh, what fun is that?

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

On topic: getting a 5.7 legalized in California before it comes out as production is going to SUCK because it’s in California and some things about California SUCK!!!

 

[S JEEPN]

On topic: getting a 5.7 legalized in California before it comes out as production is going to SUCK because it’s in California and some things about California SUCK!!!

In a 2025 it looks like you could go with a 5.7 VVT motor based on them using it in the 2025 Warlock tradesman 1500 series it may be previous Warlock or tradesman were similar. The motor you swap may have to be listed as a direct replacement for the warlock tradesman since the other models use the V6 or I6 turbo motor. The tradesman 1500 with the 5.7 keeps the GVWR below 8500 the change over to the higher CARB classification. The Dodge Ram trucks seem a bit like Gladiators with some conflicting information probably would need the manufacturer information on hand to prove the weight class incase the data base they reference is different than what is on the manufacturer towing and weight pages.

 

[g8tor2020]

Those AMW engine conversion prices are bananas. Most of them cost more than I paid for my Gladiator Rubicon brand new. I'd rather buy a 2nd rig as a backup than go that route. Hell, you could buy 2 more backups for the higher priced options.

At least you get credit for your (3.6) motor and transmission. They're entry level hemi starts at 33k.

 

[g8tor2020]

Any chance to get back to discussing engine swaps in CA and navigating compliance hurdles? I'm genuinely curious to learn more.

I honestly only see 3 ways to swap a hemi while living here in CA.

1. Buy a newer Gladiator, gives you 5 years of smog free hassle.

2. Register vehicle in a county that doesn't have smog.

3. Smog your rig illegally.

I can't see any other way.

 

[WilldWilly]

So, you can buy weed legally but can't legally have a V8? This is all Jeep's fault. Had they offered a V8 like we have begged them to do, none of this would have happened. I guess the best you can hope for is some fancy colors, and some cool stickers. I am sure CARB will allow that.

Priorities people

 

[Zachanadandy]

The shop I take my gladiator to has done 2 AMW swaps all CA vehicles. I know personally if my motor fails I plan to do the AMW swap using them. As far as smog goes I'll worry about that when the time comes.

There are several ways people do it, legally and illegally. You can always go the Montana route it's not hard honestly you can even google it and theres websites that show you.

Then theres the illegal way, theres tons of shady shops that will pass you if the price is right .

Or register in one of the many CA counties that don't participate in biannual smog checks. Get a PO box in whatever County is nearest to you. Then have them forward your mail wherever you live. Still CA, no residency or insurance issues, and you'll never have to smog it.

 

[Zachanadandy]

I honestly only see 3 ways to swap a hemi while living here in CA.

1. Buy a newer Gladiator, gives you 5 years of smog free hassle.

2. Register vehicle in a county that doesn't have smog.

3. Smog your rig illegally.

I can't see any other way.

I think you can still swap legally if the donor engine comes out of a same model year or newer stellantis product and it passes smog. Stupid that you can't use a new engine, but there is a way. The smog exemption for new vehicles is 10 years, so you've got time if you bought new.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Or register in one of the many CA counties that don't participate in biannual smog checks. Get a PO box in whatever County is nearest to you. Then have them forward your mail wherever you live. Still CA, no residency or insurance issues, and you'll never have to smog it.

I didn’t know these existed.

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