Would You Buy This LS-Swapped Jeep Wrangler Over A Factory Fresh One?
The Jeep Wrangler is a cool car. Buy it in base spec and it’s eternally cool, but likewise when you smack it repeatedly with the modifications stick you can turn it into something unique. It just never stops being cool.
We were wandering around the classifieds and found this blue beauty; a frame-off build spanning upgrades to the suspension and drivetrain. Plus 17in chrome wheels and 35in tyres, in case you thought it might not be visible enough.
It’s a 2000 model with a total of 94,600 miles covered, although not all of those belong to the current engine. Because the original motor has been swapped for an LS1 V8, of course. There’s no power output listed but the standard LS1 produces a minimum of 300bhp, but it’s more likely to be in the region of 350bhp.
To accommodate the power unit there are custom-built driveshafts and an aftermarket transmission joined to an equally new transfer case. They’ve even thrown in a K&N air filter for good measure.
As for the suspension, Rubicon Express parts have lifted it by 3.5in, with a further inch lift to the bodyshell itself. We like.
Finally, a coat of Intense Blue Pearl finishes off what is a pretty damn cool vehicle. The exterior mods are cool in a ‘Murica sort of way, and the upholstery is so unbelievably horrible that, yes, it’s also cool.
But then we got thinking. At nearly $28,000, you can buy a new Wrangler for that. Not just any old Wrangler, either: the Willys Wheeler limited edition starts at less than $500 more than our blue-and-chrome starlet above.
It’s not massively well kitted-out and hasn’t really changed since 2014, but it takes the Wrangler charm back to the middle of the last century with classic paint colours, black wheels and no proper roof. It looks orthodox next to the LS-swapped one but it’s full of heritage, with a 281bhp V6 up front, a modern(ish) six-speed manual gearbox and a manufacturer’s warranty.
It’s a Jeep built by Jeep to embody what a Jeep really is at its roots, so you can’t say that’s not cool. The time has come to make a choice. Which would you buy?
Comments
As much as I like V8s, I would prefer the Willys Wheeler limited edition over the LS-swapped one :-D.
No, it’s just communist pretending to be American.
I think I’d probably take the newer one, mostly because I think it’d be easier to find more parts for it.
buy anyone and swap to dorito power
I eat Doritos. What is this witchcraft?
Lol, good luck rock crawling with 0 torque
Simple question: does the limited version have a V8? No? I’ll take the LS one then: he says after clicking on the new car. FFS.
LS-Equipped one. More power means that I can climb up inclines without being towed up.
Power is not always the key while offroading
I have never felt any issues with power. The penstar v6 pushes close to 300hp out and 260ish lbs. when you’re in low range it just feels like a tank.
A price that’ll make your wife want to kill you for a car that will do it for her
the new one, because i don’t like the look of that TJ
Does the LS fit in my Honda?
LS motors don’t fit lawnmowers sorry
It sucks that the new Willy’s won’t see the American offroad. “Manual gearbox.”
Hah lol