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Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:41 pm
by jaber
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. :-bd

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:21 am
by CAPTSmith
Good info, thanks Jeff. With a 6" lift would '33s work? Thanks

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:40 am
by jaber
I believe so. Someone with experience will chime in eventually. ;)

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:54 am
by CAPTSmith
Roger that! Thanks buddy

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:31 pm
by supergeess
Where did you get the ecm cover?

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:18 am
by ProTouring442
supergeess wrote:Where did you get the ecm cover?
It's the top to a battery box.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:24 am
by CAPTSmith
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....

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2014 6:37 am
by ShawnQ
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

UPDATE:

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 7:05 pm
by Jeffsj
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.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2014 8:52 pm
by 243
Do you have a pre-2007 with a 12v signal to the ECM to add rpm when the AC clutch cycles?

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2014 8:18 pm
by Jeffsj
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.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 5:05 am
by 243
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?

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 4:39 pm
by Jeffsj
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.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 1:32 pm
by area52
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

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 9:27 pm
by Jjkage84
I've watched this one for a long time! It's a sweet write up!

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 8:47 pm
by Jeffsj
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.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:48 pm
by classicguy1965
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. 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-) 8-)

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 8:26 pm
by Jeffsj
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!

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2015 8:40 pm
by classicguy1965
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.

Re: 79 Cherokee GM 5.3 Swap

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 11:23 pm
by DustinLangston
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.