The road to SEMA 2006--6.1 hemi install in a new JK

10/01/06

We have a tall order to fill here. By Halloween this 4 door JK needs to have a 6.1 hemi, auto trans, lift kit, paint scheme, bumpers, armor and tires and wheels installed and ready to go. We are always up for a challenge. So here we go.

Well here is a fun one. I have decided to install a 6.1 hemi in one of our first 4 door Wranglers. 420 horsepower will be a lot of fun. This project will be moving quick so I will be posting updates every couple days. I am installing the SRT8 autostick tranny as well. Eventually it will be sitting on 6 inches of lift, 37” tires and Dana 60’s. I will have pictures of the hemi crate motor in a couple days. The view of the engine bay will be drastically changed in about a weeks time.

10/03/06

I picked up the 6.1 hemi crate motor this weekend and managed also to tear apart the 07 JK to make room for some horsepower. Stay tuned as I will be making updates all week.

10/03/06

It’s a tight fit but it will make it. The guys are building motor mounts right now and I am knee deep in figuring out the wiring. The wiring will take about 4 to 5 days itself to wrangle out. The new tranny showed up today so we will be bolting that up too. I installed 4" of lift in the jeep today also to get ready for the 37" tires.

10/10/06

The motormounts have been constructed and welded on. We mimicked the factory frame mounts so the motor will drop right into them. The 3.8 and the 6.1 have very similar block mounts. I installed a set of Gibson ceramic coated headers to gain more clearance to the frame and they also pulled the flanges closer to the block. The transmission is bolted on and ready to go.

10/16/06

I finally have the wiring figured out thanks to Tony at Squier Inc. They make the nicest fuel injection wiring harnesses around. I am awaiting the new radiator from Howe which is due to arrive on Tuesday 10/17. If all goes well with that this beast will run tomorrow. Once it runs then we need to install Currie cast iron Rock Jock axles and a prototype Rubicon Express longarm suspension. I will keep you posted.

10/17/06

I recieved the new aluminum radiator from Howe today and it looks beautiful. It fits nice too. The guys at Howe did a nice job on this one.

10/18/06

The underhood is all but wrapped up and this beast runs. Makes your skin tingle when you hear this baby rev up. I am working on building the stainless exhaust system now and finishing up some minor details. This jeep will be hitting the road on Friday headed to the Fab Fours facility in Durango CO for its lift and axle upgrades. Can't wait to see the finished product at the show.

10/27/06

Here is a shot of the finished engine bay on the 4 door JK. The 6.1 is a perfect fit for this Jeep and looks great. Fab Fours has done alot of work on this jeep since it left here so I will get some fresh photos of it when I am at SEMA..

11/09/06

Here is the 6.1 hemi after Fab Fours had it repainted, installed their bumpers and installed Currie cast iron Rock Jock axles. There is more to do to this one so keep tuned for more updates in a couple weeks.