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My "actual" 392 swap thread

Flyin6

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I have a long-running build thread of my 2022 AEV JTR JT370 here:

I started down the path of a 392 swap some months ago, but that thread turned into a discussion forum where everyone discussed just about everything. I know that is typical of threads...sort of public where folks just want to talk...I get it.

I was waiting until the work actually started, which brings me to opening this thread.

Background: I am not getting the typical AMW hemi swap, which everyone knows and is an excellent path to getting Hemi-powered. My local shop is actually one of the nation's larger and very active Jeep shops. So much so that they actually own the very company that offers converted Jeeps directly through Stellantis. They are also a Mopar wholesale parts distributor and additionally own a host of off-road companies that you know very well.
Mike, the owner, whom I have known for some time, made me an offer I could not refuse. You see, they were once an AMW conversion facility and have done something between 70-100 Hemi swaps already. Over the years, they experienced some difficulties and decided to develop their own swap. I have mentioned this before. Mike claims his swap will feature even more stock Mopar parts and a better engine mount, along with a different exhaust system. I believe he has a contract with both MagnaFlow and MBRP. He uses the same 485 HP SRT 392 that some people claim is a 505hp 6.4. I suppose the delta is just in the tuning, and these motors could actually develop even more ponies if that was your goal. For me, I just want a better 80mph cruise for the long 3-day drives out to Utah from Kintuckee. That and more fun, and perhaps the ability to tow something like a truck.
Mike is launching this new swap with my Gladiator as the first production swap. They have been figuring this out on other vehicles, but I think mine is the first "purebred." He called me back in January to see if I would be interested, and I jumped on it. He collected my Jeep in March and has had it there ever since. We had to wait through the final development of the engine mount system and the building of those to start.
That brings me to today. Last week, the teardown began. He has multiple buildings and the Glady's current location is a shop that "preps" the truck for the major surgery. Over in that remote building, the truck lost its front bumper and winch, the RSE rock sliders, the roof tent, and I think the rack. That finished up today. From here, it will be taken into the main facility where the body will be separated and the old powerplant removed.
Pics are from the day they came to pick the Gladiator up

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Flyin6

Flyin6

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1. I think it will be worth waiting for
2. You'll be waiting a long time (same as me)

This swap is taking forever! I'm patient, and the price is extremely, very, awesomely, and unbelievably good. But can I get this thing done and my Jeep back already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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Flyin6

Flyin6

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This photo showed up in one of my messages today. Looks like they already have the body off, but the Pentastar is still sitting there.

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This photo showed up in one of my messages today. Looks like they already have the body off, but the Pentastar is still sitting there.

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are you at liberty to say what the final resolve is with the supercharger?
 

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Flyin6

Flyin6

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are you at liberty to say what the final resolve is with the supercharger?
No secrecy here. The thing made a strange noise and I just won't accept that as normal. I did not feel it was reliable and I certainly would not trust driving that thing across the US with my wife. Is the thing OK, and all of that a normal condition of the newer gearsets that Vortech uses? Who knows, but it is not for me.
I feel the 6.4 is the buy-once, cry-once answer that gets me back in the game.
Debating sending it back to Ripp...
 

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No secrecy here. The thing made a strange noise and I just won't accept that as normal. I did not feel it was reliable and I certainly would not trust driving that thing across the US with my wife. Is the thing OK, and all of that a normal condition of the newer gearsets that Vortech uses? Who knows, but it is not for me.
I feel the 6.4 is the buy-once, cry-once answer that gets me back in the game.
Debating sending it back to Ripp...
I’d send it back but that’s me.

Exciting as hell to see progress finally!! :turkey:
 
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Flyin6

Flyin6

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Had a visit with the folks doing this swap for me today. We discussed what was going on, including electric/hydraulic steering, stock or aftermarket rear driveshaft, and the cost when it gets released. I got some good answers, which I can finally share with you.
First, let's look at what's going on with the swap so far:

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Flyin6

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Here is my 6.4 SRT Hemi

It gets dressed on Monday

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Flyin6

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The large box on the right is full of the parts going into my truck. Mike would not let me photo the actual boxes, he does not want the part numbers getting out. Like I said before, this swap will be more "stock" than some of the other kits out there.

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Gearhead porn
 
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Flyin6

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Now for the price. This swap goes official at the Smokey Mountain Jeep Invasion, which is coming up. High Lift Off Road will announce the 6.4 Hemi swap at an introductory price of $35,000. This is with all the good parts: the 6.4 SRT engine, the 8HP75 transmission, and what looks like a couple hundred pounds of authentic Mopar parts.
 
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Flyin6

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He can also offer a bobbed bed. Here's one a few feet away from my JT

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Flyin6

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He is also offering some cool 2-door Gladiators! Yes, a two-door!

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Flyin6

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He is also building a unique JT for a guy we all know well from his YouTube adventures. I just missed meeting him by a day, darn!

Work will recommence on my truck next week, but with the Smoky Mountain meet-up, I expect to lose a week in the build. I am told the plan is to build up the engine to make it JT-ready, mate it to the transmission, and get it installed early in the week, but we'll wait and see.
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