Not to mention the "Frame Off Restoration"

 

That is SICK! Thanks for making everyone one of us with the minivan engine JEALOUS... Now I gotta save my pennies....

 

not me

for 10k i can make a 400hp 240 lol.

 

awesome

I'd love to have the cash to do that...i drive into the mountains once a week or so and would love to have more power...maybe one day! kudo's to you

 

I wonder if my wife would notice a 3.8 V-6 slipped into her Durango? Probably after hearing a rumble in the JK as I lit out of the driveway!

 

That is SOOOOO Kick Azz! I could not imagine taking on a task like that. It took two of us 3 hours to put on my 2" lift. LOL

Hell of a job Doug!

 

Wow. I'm so ready to start doing the same thing. Have you gotten it out on the trails yet? How much sag did the bigger engine do on the front suspension?

 

VERY CLEAN install...I love it...makes me rethink my supercharger!

 

sound clip

Short sound clip
http://www.vimeo.com/1912231

 

Short sound clip
http://www.vimeo.com/1912231

sounds great!

 

Thought I would post up an update. I've got about 400 miles on the new motor now and still cant get the grin off my face every time I drive it. The difference in performance is unbelievable. DCX really missed the boat when they did not offer this motor and transmission from the factory. Mileage wise when I drive it easy it seems to get about the same as the 3.8 did. Of course I'm getting much lower mileage now as I keep having these twitches in my right foot that seems to be connected to the muscles in my face responsible for big grins.
I have to give two thumbs up to AEV on their Hemi conversion kit. Everything about the design of the kit seemed very well thought out with lots of attention to small details that defiantly makes for a super clean, factory look to the install. I think just about anyone armed with the AEV kit, a JK factory service manual and the desire to pick up where DCX dropped the ball could make this happen.

Last pic just shows the stance with the 5.7 and OME 2" hd lift.

 

what's up with your top....has it faded? or are you painting it?....sounds awesome man!!!.....you can opt to not answer if you don't want to but....what was the price break down of EVERYTHING?

 

Painted the top the same silver as the stickers and wheels to deal with the high temps inside from the sun on a black top. It did make a big difference.
I can only say that I did mine for 1/2 of what it would have cost to have someone else do it. I got a great deal on a new 5.7 crate motor, bought a used 5-45RFE tranny and got all the rest of the required parts online, wholesale and no tax.

 

Wheres the video of you spinning doughnuts?

 

LOL, I'm trying not to spin the tires very much. Rubber is too expensive to send up in smoke

 

Had the rattle cans out.

Also Installed my Katzkins this weekend.

Had to shoe horn the switches in for the heated seats. Not that many convient places to put them.

 

Very nice...


Jason

 

Thanks Jason. Were shooting for getting out that way again this summer. Will try and hook up with you for some trails this time.
Doug

 

Great work... My wife would probably file for divorce if she caught me doing this. That's why when the time comes, the transplant will take place at a friends house...:devil:

But then again, I have sneaked a lot by her in the past... To this day she has failed to notice the wheels on my car, the exhaust on my bike, and most of the upgrades to the JK...

 

Did you instal the Katskins yourself as well?? I was wondering if that was a do-it-yourself type project. I suppose if a guy can pull the body off the frame and repower it with a Hemi, some seat covers are a piece of cake.

 

I did the seats but dropped the headrests off at a shop for them to do. I did not see anyway those bricks of headrests would fit inside the new covers. The shop did not have a clue how hard is was going to be either because when I dropped them off the owner of the shop told me it would be $20.00.
When I picked them up the manager said it took 2 guys over an hour to wrestle them on. I tried to give them $40. but they would not take it. Said they told me 20. I liked that but felt a little guilty. I knew it was going to be a real *****. That type of headrest can not be vacuumed shrunk. Turns out the side panels of the headrest are matching vinyl so once they heat the covers up there is some give.
The seats were not that bad. First seat took 4 hours as a learn as you go since they don't come with instructions, but the second one and the rears only took about 45 min each if that. The only specialty tool needed is a pair of hog ring pliers and bag of hog rings.

 

Great job im getting ready to put my Hemi in.

 

Thanks, you'll love it with the hemi

 

How are things holding up? Did you keep the AEV exhaust stock or did you change mufflers? I'm concerned b/c I don't want it to be loud or have an annoying drone on the highway.

I'm lining up stuff to do my conversion right now.

 

Every thing has been great, not one problem. I'm going to just run the Hush Power muffler that came with the kit until it needs to be replaced. I may even replace it with another Hush Power then. Its loud when you put your foot into it, but really everyone says it sounds great. It does not have a bad drone on the expressway at all.

 

only if they sold the jeep this way -

 

Too much wind noise.

 

Looks familiar. I pick mine up tomorrow. 10 is incredibly cheap since the AEV kit is 5k and motor is at least 4k. Shop conversion is 17-24k alll inclusive. I pick mine up tomorrow.

 

Looks familiar. I pick mine up tomorrow. 10 is incredibly cheap since the AEV kit is 5k and motor is at least 4k. Shop conversion is 17-24k alll inclusive. I pick mine up tomorrow.

I got lucky and got my new motor in 07 for 2500. +300. for shipping. I only bought my parts when I found great prices. Spent almost a year getting my parts together. You will love driving it

 

I hate this thread. :bawling:

 

I know I may be going out on a limb here posting bling, but I got the rattle cans out again after seeing interior shots of Lower Forty.
I thought the color matched center stack and console looked sharp, although the instrument cluster and grab handle on Lower Forty were a little over the top so I did not go there.
So here is my imitation.

 

Awesome build will you adopt me and put me in your will.

 

Doug, Great write up, and I must say it has inspired me to start collecting the appropriate parts for the conversion on my 07 Sahara.

Can I ask you what all additional parts you had to pick up?

My hopes are to find a wrecked commander or other doner jeep to get the engine a trans from. then pick up an aev kit.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks!

 

Doug, Great write up, and I must say it has inspired me to start collecting the appropriate parts for the conversion on my 07 Sahara.
Can I ask you what all additional parts you had to pick up?
My hopes are to find a wrecked commander or other doner jeep to get the engine a trans from. then pick up an aev kit.
Any advice would be great.
Thanks!

Dave , If you go to http://aev-conversions.com they have a complete parts list you can print off. Click, Hemi builder kit, install guides PDF and at the bottom bill of materials.

Ed

 

Thanks!

 

absolutely f-ing amazing. kudos man!! one day ill have the money and skills needed for this. one day.........





why its not an option, ill never understand.
"hey bill, we already make this transmission, this engine, and this vehicle. Any chances we could just, you know, put them together if someone wants it?"

". that would make too much sense"