In this episode of my budget YJ build, I kick off the big power move: taking my tired little 2.5L Jeep YJ and starting the swap to a 6.0L LS. This is the beginning of the motor-swap series, and the main focus here is getting that old engine out so we can make room for something that’s actually going to wake this Jeep up. The whole goal is simple—more horsepower, more torque, and a YJ that feels like an off-road animal instead of a commuter that’s running out of breath. I walk through the early steps and mindset behind the swap, and I lay out what’s coming next so you can follow along without getting lost: mounts and adapters, wiring and ECU setup, fuel system upgrades, exhaust, cooling, and then the moment we’re all waiting for—first startup and a test drive. If you’ve been thinking about doing an LS swap in your Jeep, this is where it starts: get organized, take it step-by-step, and don’t overcomplicate the first phase. Stick with me through the series and we’ll turn this YJ into something that’s actually fun to wheel.