79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

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mrtazwrench
Posts: 152
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 11:58 am

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by mrtazwrench »

Since my posts of a few years ago lots of stuff happened, I hope to have my new garage ready to work in next winter and I also just picked up an 02 'burb to gut for a 5.3 4L60 so my swap is still on eventually I hope. I got the 'burb for $500 so that will help with costs, it will all be going into an 88 Wag.
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DustinLangston
Posts: 597
Joined: Fri Jun 14, 2013 8:03 pm
Location: Cedar City Utah

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by DustinLangston »

Glad to hear your getting pieces put in place. I wanted to update you on an easy rule of thumb. If you have single piece bumpers then the motor mounts for 80-91 FSJ's will work. If you have a three piece bumper they won't work an you'll have to go with a universal mount system.
1982 Wagoneer Limited 5.3L Vortec 4L60E swap - finished/restored - sold - bought back - sold again
1979 Wagoneer 360 TH400 1339 QT - built into perfect daily driver - sold
1981 J10 Sportside Honcho - finished/restored - sold
1979 Cherokee Golden Eagle - 5.3L Vortec 6L80E swap - finished/restored - sold
1967 Super Wagoneer - sold, too much work
1978 J10 Golden Eagle - finished/restored - sold
1962 Rambler Classic Cross Country Wagon - current project, wife's daily driver - she'll never let me sell it

CHIEF319
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2015 11:54 am

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by CHIEF319 »

Is there some reason the pics are not working? This was going to be my go-to reference for when I start my swap
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tedlovesjeeps71
Posts: 2905
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2016 4:39 pm

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by tedlovesjeeps71 »

CHIEF319 wrote:Is there some reason the pics are not working? This was going to be my go-to reference for when I start my swap

Blame the Communists who own photo bucket.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Topic author
Jeffsj
Posts: 132
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Prescott, Az.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by Jeffsj »

Sorry, I have been away from the forum for so long. I was frustrated about the pics all being taken down, due to Photobucket’s policies. I just want to let everyone know my thread is back up, complete with pics. I hope it can be of help to some of you. It has been some time since my swap, but I will try to answer any questions you have.
Jeff

Beast : 1979 Cherokee Chief
Engine : 2003 GMC 5.3 liter Vortec
Trans. : 2002 4L60e / Transfer Case : 1989 NP241C with Slip-yoke eliminator
Lift : 4" / Tires : 33/12.50./15 BFG KM2's
Dakota Digital dashboard cluster

My 5.3 swap thread:
http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=767
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrqX1ip2KkM
Tad's SOA/Shackle Flip installation: http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3347
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devildog80
Posts: 1070
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:41 pm
Location: Apache Junction AZ

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by devildog80 »

Glad your back, and I am a new member here in AJ AZ out by the Superstitions, so might see you some day out cruising........after I get my new to me '84 Grand Wagoneer road worthy.
We go up through Payson mostly, camping up on the Rim with wife's side of the family, and want to get our Waggy fixed up to use for family truckster.
My grown son looks at it all broken in the driveway, as we just recently got it home after it sat for 18 yrs in a dirt storage lot in Mirana, and says he is waiting for us to take it on the Griswold Family Vacation :)
'81 CJ5 Base, 258 I6, MC2100, T176 4 spd, 300 TC, D30 Front NT, 3.31, 2-Piece AMC 20 rear NT, 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
'84 Grand Wagoneer, 401 V8 (.030 over), MC2150 HA Comp, 727 auto, Selec-trac NP229, AMC 20 REAR - D44 FRONT - WT 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
Rather be driving, than waiting to be modified
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Topic author
Jeffsj
Posts: 132
Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:26 am
Location: Prescott, Az.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by Jeffsj »

The family Truckster, I love it!😂 Welcome to the forums and good luck on your Griswold family project!

We are in Prescott and unfortunately, between work and kids schedules, we don’t get out near as much as we’d like. We used to go to an off road Halloween event every year called the Spook Rally. It took place in the Boulders recreation area off Carefree Highway. It was a nighttime timed/accuracy event that involved clue sheets with trivia questions, linked to directions to check points along the trails, where haunted houses, or some other scary Halloween activity would be set up by volunteers. At the end of each you would get a new clue sheet to the next check point. It was great family fun! Unfortunately, due to increasing BLM and insurance costs and difficulty finding enough volunteers, it became more difficult to put together. Then COVID hit and put the final nail in that coffin.
Jeff

Beast : 1979 Cherokee Chief
Engine : 2003 GMC 5.3 liter Vortec
Trans. : 2002 4L60e / Transfer Case : 1989 NP241C with Slip-yoke eliminator
Lift : 4" / Tires : 33/12.50./15 BFG KM2's
Dakota Digital dashboard cluster

My 5.3 swap thread:
http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=767
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrqX1ip2KkM
Tad's SOA/Shackle Flip installation: http://fsjnetwork.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3347
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devildog80
Posts: 1070
Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2022 2:41 pm
Location: Apache Junction AZ

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Post by devildog80 »

That does sound like it was a fun outing, and yes, now that 100*+ has hit the valley, slows down the working on rigs.

Looking to have the Wagoneer running and road worthy by end of year, but hoping sooner.

Biggest thing right now are the old tires are starting to disintegrate as it sits in the driveway.
Sat for 18 years down in Mirana where I drug it home from, so looking for (4) of any size 15" that hold air, till road worthy.

Just updated build thread from this weekend activities, and tried to fire off the 401, but no spark.

Finding no IGN feed to MSD-6A, which in turn, no hot to the coil.

Will be digging in deeper to check IGN connection, and hoping MSD is not toast.
'81 CJ5 Base, 258 I6, MC2100, T176 4 spd, 300 TC, D30 Front NT, 3.31, 2-Piece AMC 20 rear NT, 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
'84 Grand Wagoneer, 401 V8 (.030 over), MC2150 HA Comp, 727 auto, Selec-trac NP229, AMC 20 REAR - D44 FRONT - WT 3.31, 4" high arc spring lift
Rather be driving, than waiting to be modified
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