Ok so I picked up a 96 2 door, 2 wheel drive to eventually swap an LS into.




Took a good look at the undercarriage and didn't see any rust, or so I thought, didn't notice this until after I got home, forward leaf mounts.





Bought these to take care of the problem.



I will be replacing the leafs, shackle, u bolts, shocks and thinking about shackle relocation while I am at it. Will be adding disc as well.

Questions:

1 - Do I really have any use for the shackle relocation? I don't plan on any lift, I know I will get an inch or so from new leafs. Looking at the HD relocation. Looks great but do I need it?

2 - I am probably looking at 300-400 hp, will the 8.25 be ok with that? I plan to install new spider gears, seals and bearings while I am at it.

3 - Do I need anything other than stock leafs, what no lift leafs are out there? I have heard people down the Dorman leafs. I have had a set on my stock 99 for a year and a half now and no issues?

Any other advice is appreciated.

I plan to do everything I need to do to the rear end all at one time and be done with it.

 

1) you will have no use with factory springs.

2) I would assume so if your not going to lock the rear. The 8.25 has been in mopar muscle since the 60s.

3) look at project race jeep on here for spring advice.

 

I would run oem leafs with maybe traction bars if needed.The stock shackles should be fine but if you want to upgrade i would use the slider type like https://liquidironindustries.com/XJ-...f-Sliders.html

 

wouldn't trust that 8.25 as far as I can throw it. I would prefer the peace of mind of a 9" or 8.8

I'd say almost no matter what leaf springs you go with you will want a traction bar to stop them from wrapping. I would still find a pair of OEM replacement leafs while you are at it

sounds like an awesome build man! I've always wanted to do a 5 speed stroker build as a daily driver. stock height and 2wd. Have fun living out one of my dreams

 

if you use the novak mounts you may have to do a bit of lift for oil pan to front axle clearance, 2ish" at the minimum i believe is what novak recommends

since you most likely have the 27 spline 8.25, i personally would swap to at minimum a 29 spline(bolt in) or ideally an 8.8.

im going to be doing an ls swap in my xj very soon and ill be using a 29 spline 8.25 with a detroit and disks, will probably upgrade to an 8.8 eventually

 

You know the air intak will be right infront eh, let me know how sucking in all that hot air works for ya! I thought about that swap but then I changed my mind for that reason also how are ya gonna get a snorkel on that thing?

 

ive seen a cowl snorkel done, and other intakes routed to the side, it wont be an issue

 

The intake will be where I put it?

The 4.0 is getting hot straight from the exhaust manifold, seems like it is doing ok.

LS swap has been done thousands of times, I am sure it can be worked out.

 

Actual intake air temp for the 4L is surprisingly low for how close to the exhaust it is. Using the actual sensor and reading of the computer I am only seeing about a 20-30 degree rise over ambient. My dad's JK with 3.6 is closer to 50-60

 

You decided not to do an LS swap because of intake position? That's pretty stupid and you obviously don't know what you're talking about. Lol intake position will be the exact same as a stock XJ.

Op, like mentioned you'll likely have to run some sort of lift if you use the stock oil pan. There are a few out there that would give better clearance. I'd suggest looking at "team petty cash's" build as their XJ is a road race car and lowered from factory.

I'll be running my 29 spline 8.25 for a bit until i can upgrade to something different. I don't plan on hard launching or anything.

Just be ready to spend some $$$$ (I'll be about $7500-8000 into my swap when it's complete)

 

Thank you for all of the info everyone!

I am looking at an LM7 swap instead of the LS. Looks like it has some nice hp up grades and over 300 hp/tq stock.

Also, looks like I will be heading to the jy for another 8.25/29 spline. Easier to do all of the work to it sitting on the floor in the garage.

I am looking through all of the ls swaps build post as well to get as much info as possible.

I will start a build thread once I get started.

Thanks again guys.

 

Where/who are you getting the from leaf spring mounts from? Thanks!

 

This place here makes them and quite a few places sell them. I went ahead and ordered from a company on ebay with free shipping.

http://www.synergymfg.com/Synergy-Je...t-p-20685.html

 

Im doing the same with mine ill be starting in a couple weeks, ill be posting my progress in my build thread, i may do a thread on naxja as well

 

Thanks a bunch! I'm about to put in an 8.8 and I might put these in while I'm at it