79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

jaber · Post by **jaber** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:41 pm

On a GW, you will need some trimming to fit 33's. Mine is 4" and 32x11.5's rub at full turn and full flex. 31's fit just right.

CAPTSmith · Post by **CAPTSmith** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:21 am

Good info, thanks Jeff. With a 6" lift would '33s work? Thanks

jaber · Post by **jaber** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:40 am

I believe so. Someone with experience will chime in eventually.

CAPTSmith · Post by **CAPTSmith** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:54 am

Roger that! Thanks buddy

supergeess · Post by **supergeess** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:31 pm

Where did you get the ecm cover?

ProTouring442 · Post by **ProTouring442** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:18 am

supergeess wrote:Where did you get the ecm cover?

It's the top to a battery box.

CAPTSmith · Post by **CAPTSmith** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:24 am

supergeess wrote:Where did you get the ecm cover?

Yes, simple and cheap Marine battery top cover. It was long enough to fit my PCM, relays, etc....

ShawnQ · Post by **ShawnQ** » Sun Apr 06, 2014 6:37 am

Hey Jeff,

Just looking through your thread. I'm trying to figure out which fittings you used to connect your fuel lines to your fuel pump. Do you have these part #'s?
Also, did you use the same Airtex E3954M as CAPT did?
Thanks!
Shawn

Jeffsj · Post by **Jeffsj** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:05 pm

Just thought I would share that I finally got the AC hooked up and it works great! I took it into Advanced Auto Air in Prescott Valley, Az. They were able to use the stock condenser and dryer. All they did was make some custom fittings for the old hoses to link into the new system. It works great! Plenty cold when driving. It does lose a bit when at idle. They told me that would probably happen unless I update my condenser to one made for the R-134-A refrigerant. The old one is for the R-12. I'm plenty happy with it though and it only cost me $325.00.

243 · Post by **243** » Thu Jul 17, 2014 8:52 pm

Do you have a pre-2007 with a 12v signal to the ECM to add rpm when the AC clutch cycles?

Jeffsj · Post by **Jeffsj** » Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:18 pm

243 wrote:Do you have a pre-2007 with a 12v signal to the ECM to add rpm when the AC clutch cycles?

It is pre 2007, but I didn't use the signal wire for the ECM. I was told by Brendan at lt1swap it wasn't required for the AC to work. The idle does drop a touch for a second when the clutch engages, but it comes right back up again. Not really a big deal.

243 · Post by **243** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 5:05 am

I have read mixed opinions about using the 12v signal, some said it works fine like you and others say the engine darn near dies.

The 2007+ LS appears to be problematic with the serial connection running the AC and no factory pin to connect the 12v signal. Brendan did tell me he can reprogram to provide the 12v pin but I believe there are only a few PCM's to choose from. My hope is to use a 2007+ LS with DBW and the Van PCM.

Are you running DBC or DBW?

Jeffsj · Post by **Jeffsj** » Sat Jul 19, 2014 4:39 pm

243 wrote:I have read mixed opinions about using the 12v signal, some said it works fine like you and others say the engine darn near dies.

The 2007+ LS appears to be problematic with the serial connection running the AC and no factory pin to connect the 12v signal. Brendan did tell me he can reprogram to provide the 12v pin but I believe there are only a few PCM's to choose from. My hope is to use a 2007+ LS with DBW and the Van PCM.

Are you running DBC or DBW?

I am running the DBW setup. I would imagine that some might not like the idle drop from the AC, but really, the only time it seems to drop pretty low is when I do a quick burst on the throttle and let it off again. If this concerns you and Brendan gives you a way to run the wire I would say, go for it.

area52 · Post by **area52** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 1:32 pm

Thanks for all the info on this swap. Im planning on doing a 6.0L into my 80 Cherokee before too long.

One question: What did you do with your stock gas tank? Did the Blazer one fit the filler hose ok?

I was thinking of doing the Blazer tank and using the stock one as a filling/transfer one - fill it up and use a small electric pump to transfer it to the Blazer one.

just thinking out loud

Jjkage84 · Post by **Jjkage84** » Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:27 pm

I've watched this one for a long time! It's a sweet write up!

Jeffsj · Post by **Jeffsj** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 8:47 pm

Hey everyone, I was just going back through my thread and noticed I have missed a number of questions from you. Sorry about that. I just realized my notifications were set to off. Didn't mean to ignore you. Some of the questions were from months ago, so I am going to assume I won't be of any help now. Again, sorry and my notifications are turned on now, so I will try to do better. Thanks to those of you who answered the questions for me and thanks to everyone for the compliments.

classicguy1965 · Post by **classicguy1965** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:48 pm

Just first like to say thanks for this web site being here I just got my self a 1979 jeep Cherokee and plan on doing the same thing love this write up and hope it will help me in all my build.

Jeffsj · Post by **Jeffsj** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 8:26 pm

First off, welcome aboard! I hope my thread helps you with your build. I am about 12,000 dependable miles into mine now and LOVE it! This was, by far, the most rewarding project I have ever accomplished. Feel free to message me with any questions. It has been awhile now, so I hope I can remember everything. Good luck!

classicguy1965 · Post by **classicguy1965** » Thu Nov 19, 2015 8:40 pm

Hey Jeff I sent you a private message and this was a great write up i'm in the beginning of the same fab that I would love to do, i will stay in touch because I have a lot of questions for you.

DustinLangston · Post by **DustinLangston** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 11:23 pm

classicguy1965 let me know what you decide on for motor mounts. I've heard the 79 doesn't use the same ones as all the 80-91 FSJ's. Curious to see if that is true.

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