Full Size Jeep Network

The time has come where I'm finally going to swap out the 360 for a 5.3L Vortec like so many have already done.

I was going to copy and paste my build thread from isja but decided to just post some before and after pictures instead, less time consuming and easier.

When I purchased in 2009:


After lift, tires, Part time kit installed in QT, frame cleaned and painted, axles cleaned regeared and painted, new Bronco 25 gallon fuel tank:


Fuel tank fabrication after installed (most custom piece of the build):

Here is what truck looks like as of today:




I was able to pull motor this past weekend to begin the swap process, I'll post pictures and updates as they happen... hoping to have swap complete by end of summer if not sooner!

Are you keeping the stock trans and transfer case?

Um yes and no... The TH400 is leaving for a 700r4 but I am keeping the QT using an adaptor I bought from BJ's.

The trans and tcase are still in truck because I ran out of time on Saturday. They will be coming out next time.

I guess I could have read your signature.

Not a prob!

BTW if anyone is interested that TH400 is available for sale... make offer!!!

Beautiful j10. definately a beast. What size lift/ tires did you put in it? im tearing mine down and trying to get an idea of what lift i should put back in it and i really like the stance of yours.

Nice looking J-Truck!

Anymore info on that tank swap? Where did the fuel filler end up coming out? Your truck looks great btw!!

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FirefighterIV wrote:Beautiful j10. definately a beast. What size lift/ tires did you put in it? im tearing mine down and trying to get an idea of what lift i should put back in it and i really like the stance of yours.

Thank you.

I have 6" springs from BJs, a 3" body lift, 2" blocks in rear to help level and the offroad shackles from BJs in the front that add an extra 1" of lift. The tires are Toyo Open Country 37s. I'm running 4.56 gears.

I like the stance but there are times I wish I didnt do the body lift.

Thanks for the comments guys....

I was able to use the stock fuel filler spot. What we did was modify the fuel fill neck with a fuel fill from a ford. The opening on the tank is 2" dia. I'll see if I have some pictures.

msh227 wrote:Thanks for the comments guys....

I was able to use the stock fuel filler spot. What we did was modify the fuel fill neck with a fuel fill from a ford. The opening on the tank is 2" dia. I'll see if I have some pictures.

Thank you! I would greatly appreciate the pics. I like how that turned out! Are the straps off the bronco?

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Here are some pictures of the fill lines.... I do need to rework them a bit, I have a little sag in the lines which allows gas to pool inside the lines and I have a slight drip but all in all I'm happy with it.

I don't have a close up of the straps but we fabricated them using bolts that we welded to metal straps bought from sears hardware.

Here are a few other pictures...

Sorry to ask so many questions. Last one I promise (for now) do you think the filler would work without body lift?

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hutcho wrote:Sorry to ask so many questions. Last one I promise (for now) do you think the filler would work without body lift?

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Hmm good question... I would have to look at my truck to see the height profile again.

That being said the body lift helped but I'm sure you could lower the tank a bit and make it work without the body lift.

It is a huge improvement in my opinion, removing the tank from the bed and attaching to the frame and also increasing the capacity to 25 gallons from the 15 gallon custom tank that was on the truck when I bought it.

Yeah I dont like having it on the bed, its a pain right now with my bed off I have no chance to actually start the truck. I had plans to do the same as you but with factory tank. But Iike the bigger tank better. Also planning a 5.3 or 6.0 swap in the future so I definitely will be watching to see how this turns out.

And I know I said it before, but your truck looks awesome! LOVE the stance!

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When I first bought the truck and added the upgrades I tried to keep track of cost but it all got lost in the mix of the build. This time with the 5.3 swap I'm going to make an effort to track all my spending. Here is just a list for budgeting purposes with a few of the items already purchased. I'll try to keep this list updated for anyone interested from a cost perspective.

Some of the budget costs are guesses subject to change.

Is there a way to upload excel sheets?

EQUIPMENT............................................BUDGET PRICE.....ACTUAL PRICE.....SHIPPING
5.3L vortec............................................600
5.3L upgrades.........................................350
700r4 trans............................................100....................75.....................0
700r4 rebuild..........................................1000
motor mounts.........................................200....................180...................32.96
trans-tcase adaptor.................................450....................440...................32.96
5.3lL flexplate (advance adaptors)..............160
pcm programming wire harness work ............425
gauges..................................................450
driveshaft work.......................................100
radiator..................................................350
exhaust..................................................300
power steering lines..................................100
fuel pump and accessories.........................100
paint, hardware, odds/ends, etc.................300

TOTALS.................................................4985...................695...................65.92

What tcase are you gonna run?

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Running the QT that I put part time kit in. Advance adapters has a 700r4 to QT adapter.