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
The new one. I don’t like the idea for engine swap (No offense)
Nah bro ls is chevy is gm and jeep is mopar
I’m never going to buy a car with chrome wheels, I don’t care if I could swap them
tbh I really admire the look of a Wrangler, but I’d go for an FJ Cruiser
I would have to argue the Willy’s is more structurally rigid than the LS swapped Jeep. Not to mention too the LS might be too torquey for something that compact in size. despite the AWD drivetrain. If the idea was a show car, it excells as a showpiece. In action on a rocky, jagged incline, not so much.
I would argue the premise of a Wrangler is to “wrangle” the elements and off-road terrain. That’d be where my viewpoint sources from.
Chrome wheels ruin it for me
Better than that sad excuse for an engine 3.6L
With an LS engine? No. With a Hemi? I’ll be first in line.
LS swap eveything because the most American vehicle has been given the most American engine!!! Freedom has been turned up to 11!!!
judging by the d30 in the front, i wouldnt take that basket case if someone paid me, if its got a d30 in the front, im guessing its a d35 in the back, which could barely hold the power of a stock 4.0 i6 with any tire over 31”.
wait just read the ad and its actually dual 9 inch housings with 5.13s, who the hell built this and do they want to die, 5.13s and a v8 xD
why did they GM swap a MoPar?!