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6.4 Hemi swap questions

21208 Views 26 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  ALASHA
I've been watching too much Youtube lately and got the bug to drop a 6.4 into my JKUR. It looks like there's the AMW kit through Rubitrux and Dakota customs makes a kit. Anyone know or researched specific differences? Other kids to consider?

This looks like a do-able DIY for myself minus how to deal with the A/C freon. I guess I have a shop suck it out before I disconnect that stuff and get it recharged when it's complete?

What's the parts cost in total with a new 6.4 crate motor and all the extras? The conversion kits look like $10k. Engine is probably $10k with the extra parts. So is that right I can DIY for $20k or have a shop do it for me for $30k? I'll gladly save $10k have a fun project if that's what it comes to.

Initially I was looking at LT1 swaps but there's so many owners on YouTube with videos about errors, check engine lights, or things not working. I don't want to start a food fight, but that does worry me.
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The hemi is physically large and quite a bit heavier than an lt engine and lower tech. It might integrate easier, cooling would be more challenging also with minimal real estate under the hood. I would hate to ruin my jeep with any poor conversion. Lots to think about with any of these 8 cylinder conversions.
The hemi is a large engine for sure . I was able to add some items under the hood , catch can, switch pro . I could have mounted the ARB dual compressor but chose to mount that in the spare jack area. I think the kits out now have solved the "cooling" issue with the hemi. I live on Oklahoma and the summers here are stupid hot. i have not had any cooling issue . the kit came with a JL fan and heavy duty radiator. I swapped in a 180 degree thermostat ( ran a 180 thermostat in the 3.8 too) . I can run the AC on full blast and the engine runs cool. I do agree that the newer LT engines are high speed and offer a packaging advantage. The only "concern" I might have with the hemi is the alternator location. Its low and not easy to access. i would prefer the 6.4 accessory drive off the 2500 ran instead of the car accessory drive. When it comes to selection of a kit and drive train I would not mix drinks , stay with one manufacturer. Go all mopar or all chevy . when it comes to any maintenance or trouble down the road you would have an easier time with troubleshooting and parts availability.
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I certainly do love the sound of the Hemi! My two door Rubicon "2010" is relatively light on 33"s, because it needs to be. I'm in a hilly area of the country too, not Colorado but 5000' mountains and lots of grades to deal with. I tuned it for 93 octane and with the 4:10's it gets decent gas mileage and I towed up to 2000 lbs. 129K miles. It is so quiet and smooth and bullet proof reliable, I don't want to gamble with ruining it. However, I'm an old time enthusiast and that is hard to be cured from. :) I agree I would build it on my own, with a kit so I understand it better. The ls is perfect, but if I'm going that route of a GM powertrain I want a 10 speed. The LT is not on the smaller side either. It is lighter though and I would not want to put too much weight over the front axle. Some day, right now I'm completing my 12th year of college payments with four more to go............. Right now it's like buying a new 392 Wrangler every year and then crushing it.......... ha ha They are worth every dime though!
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Out of curiosity does anyone have a measurement of the length of a 6.4 with an 8hp70 trans and some transfer case? Looking for front of accessory drive to output shaft of the transfer case ideally
Out of curiosity does anyone have a measurement of the length of a 6.4 with an 8hp70 trans and some transfer case? Looking for front of accessory drive to output shaft of the transfer case ideally
I took a quick measurement from the front of the crank pulley to flange of the transfer case . It’s about 69 inches +/- and inch . I used a tape measure and just pulled it. I’ll try to drop a plum-bob and mark the floor with some tape to get a more accurate measurement.


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I took a quick measurement from the front of the crank pulley to flange of the transfer case . It’s about 69 inches +/- and inch . I used a tape measure and just pulled it. I’ll try to drop a plum-bob and mark the floor with some tape to get a more accurate measurement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That is prefect. Dont need an exact measurement. This is close enough for me to go figure out if it will work in what I want to put it in.

Thank you very much for measuring that! 🍺 🍺
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