6.1 Hemi JK Jeep Wranglers - Pictures

OMF beadlocked the factory Rubicon wheels, making them 8 inches wide instead of the stock 7.5 inches. Sticky 37x12.50R17LT Interco TrXus tires were mounted on these wheels. 37x13.50R17LT E Nitto Mud Grapplers were installed on Mopar-Hutchinson beadlock wheels. These wheels beadlock the inner and outer beads and are super high-quality. Spidertrax wheel spacers were used on both Jeeps to get the backspacing to 4.5 inches, where it needs to be with the 37s. The stock steering gearbox and pump work fine on a stock JK. As soon as you modify it with larger tires, a heavy bumper, a winch, etc., an upgrade is in order. Tom at PSC is working on a Delphi steering box, pump upgrade, and cylinder assist for the JK to replace the stock system. Watch for an upcoming article.

After all the work was done, the Burnsville crew delivered the Wranglers to Moab. As all project vehicles we've ever built (or had built) were bug-infested, we were worried about doing the shakedown cruise in these vehicles in front of everyone on trail rides. Our fears were unfounded, though, as everything worked in both vehicles with NO BUGS at all. Remarkable. This is a testament to Burnsville Off Road's attention to detail. Both Wranglers drove superbly on- and off-road. The 6.1 Hemi supplied the most power we've ever had in a Jeep, but it was very tractable off-road where the computer "detunes" the throttle sensitivity in Low range so things don't get jerky in the rocks. The Wrangler was able to snake through the same places all Jeeps have historically been able to get, while the Wrangler Unlimited was phenomenal on steep climbs, going places no one thought possible in the past. Winding through tight rocks and trees was a bit more interesting in the Unlimited though.

So, did we trade? Not yet. We like both vehicles so well that it would have been sixes (pun intended) to trade. The Unlimited offers great room, outstanding climbing ability, and unbelievable popularity in the marketplace, while the two-door has traditional Jeep nimbleness with more comfort than ever available before. The 6.1 Hemi swap makes already great vehicles phenomenal. We REALLY like them. Both.

Burnsville builds the air intake for the Hemi swaps. It comes as part of the company's installation kits and includes a K&N air filter.
Burnsville builds the air intake for the Hemi swaps. It comes as part of the company's ins
The Walker Evans 2.0 reservoir shocks have 12-position adjustment. Every click makes a large difference, so the shocks can be dialed in to get perfect control no matter what we're doing with the Wrangler. A JKS shock conversion kit allowed us to easily install the Walker shocks on the JK.
The Walker Evans 2.0 reservoir shocks have 12-position adjustment. Every click makes a lar
Bilstein reservoir shocks, while not adjustable, work well.

The front of the two-door Wrangler has the stock electric locker and Superior 4.88 gears. The Full-Traction 4-inch suspension has great-riding coils, an adjustable track bar, and beefy adjustable arms. A BDS diff guard keeps rocks at bay.
The front of the two-door Wrangler has the stock electric locker and Superior 4.88 gears.
The Wrangler's rear has 32-spline axles and an electric locker, Superior 4.88 gears, and a BDS diff guard. Full-Traction coil springs, adjustable control arms, and an adjustable track bar complete the package.
The Wrangler's rear has 32-spline axles and an electric locker, Superior 4.88 gears, and a
The Wrangler got a polished stainless MagnaFlow that's a lot smaller and a bit louder. It's still not bad, though, and legal everywhere.
The Wrangler got a polished stainless MagnaFlow that's a lot smaller and a bit louder. It'

The Wrangler Unlimited's MORE front bumper allows the use of the factory foglights. Burnsville welded four tabs on the hoop so we could mount two Soltek Fuego driving and two cornering lights from Baja Designs. The Warn 9.5xp is ready to get us, or others, out of a jam.
The Wrangler Unlimited's MORE front bumper allows the use of the factory foglights. Burnsv
The Unlimited's MORE rear bumper is strong, good-looking, and carries the tire high enough so it doesn't drag on steep departures. It has a bracket for carrying a Hi-Lift jack too.
The Unlimited's MORE rear bumper is strong, good-looking, and carries the tire high enough
The MORE tire carrier swings open, allowing easy rear access.

It also has a strong hinge and lock mechanism that keeps the carrier from swinging closed even when on a steep side hill.
It also has a strong hinge and lock mechanism that keeps the carrier from swinging closed
The stock Rubicon Rock-Trac transfer case was used in both Wranglers. It's very strong and has a 4:1 Low range.
The stock Rubicon Rock-Trac transfer case was used in both Wranglers. It's very strong and
LoD supplied the bumpers for the Wrangler. The front bumper also allows the use of the factory foglights, and the Ramsey 9500UT winch fits well in a recessed winch mount. Burnsville built the hoop.
LoD supplied the bumpers for the Wrangler. The front bumper also allows the use of the fac

The Wrangler's LoD rear bumper is clean and strong. The tire is carried high enough for real off-roading and doesn't rattle or squeak. Thirty-seven-inch tires block rear visibility quite well on both Jeeps.
The Wrangler's LoD rear bumper is clean and strong. The tire is carried high enough for re
The LoD swings open for rear access and has a nifty toolbox built in that allows access to the receiver and lets us carry straps and other extraction accessories out of the interior.
The LoD swings open for rear access and has a nifty toolbox built in that allows access to
OMF beadlocked the factory wheels and was able to get us another 1/2 inch of width, making them 8 inches wide. The Rubicon wheels are strong, true and, with the OMF beadlocks, great wheels for off-roading.
OMF beadlocked the factory wheels and was able to get us another 1/2 inch of width, making