Jump to content

MJ Prerunnerish 5.3L Swapperoooo


Recommended Posts

Definently a Beast! Nice work !

Thanks man.

 

Looking good man, been following you on instagram, truck is dope!

 

I'm the guy with the FB RX7 V8 build, I'm down in MA, would love to take a drive up to NH and see this thing some time.

 

Love the vanity plates you got for it haha

I'm usually around on the weekends working on it, you should swing up.

 

covering up the guns?

I wanted a bumper that would be really tight and hug the body lines, and it ended up covering the guns.  I'm trying to figure out where I can put more.

 

So how much lift are you running total? And what size tires?

 

I would say around 7" of lift? Maybe less.  I didn't measure in the beginning, the only parts on the jeep that are from a kit or are application specific is the long arm kit.  I mounted the coilovers to give me maximum uptravel, because I want to be able to take big hits.  With the V8 and the waggy axles I was limited, but at the current ride height I have 7" of uptravel.  The coilovers are 16" travel, but I will be limit strapping them to around 13" of travel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 205
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • 3 weeks later...

1235095_594595894391_1439007054_n.jpg

Soooo, this happened.  Can't say I was surprised, but moderately disappointed.  I had planned on running a traction bar, just didn't anticipate needing it so soon.  Now I have to figure out how to either bend the leaves back, or find a suitable replacement.  Neither option is appealing.  I would really like to throw the leaf springs away and put real suspension in the rear to match the front, but funding won't allow currently. Bugger.

Painted front bumper.

1005807_594595854471_178564734_n.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know it would look pretty sweet, but I see two drawbacks. I bobbed my bed so they a factory length wouldn't work, and the trails near my house are tight, wooded, rocky and technical. The fiberglass would have more zip ties than an amateur drift event, after a weekend on the trails.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I love driving this thing. I want something a bit more streetable for a tire setup, I feel bad wearing these soft swampers away.  
1238317_596653930071_449538607_n.jpg
Bump stops jammed in there.

1234333_596653181571_2134964846_n.jpg
Bump stop pads that sit on top of the lower control arm mounts.

1236255_596653201531_821304334_n.jpg
Contact 2.5" before full bump.  Perfect.

1237155_596653311311_1524187036_n.jpg
Still clears with the axle fully flexed out. Oh I painted the axle and powdercoated all the links.

1240344_596653296341_1185882119_n.jpg

And gobs of room for activities over here. When the axle is flexed as such, the bump hits near the back of the pad, with the axle compressed equally it hits the center.
 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...


I painted the front wheel wells with some SEM low VOC undercoating after doing further frame plating, interested to see how it holds up.  It did make a huge difference in how the truck looks.  I have a video of the bumps tops getting some action that I will post soon.

598606_598049538261_2039416314_n.jpg

1378773_598049508321_434454194_n.jpg

All painted up, much better.

1378854_598049518301_995770725_n.jpg

I also fixed my heating woes, stuffed a Summit racing heater box in.  It's a compact and very complete unit.  Mounted easily, it has a three speed blower motor complete with switch and it pumps out 28,000 British warming bits. Next on the list is bumping and strapping the rear, finishing off the bed and having it bedlined, and making an interior.  I also really want to put an LED light bar on.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Can you provide any detail into the wiring of the 5.3?

 

What harness did you start with, truck harness or car harness?

 

I am in the process of collecting parts currently and have a lead on a 5.3 truck.

I used a truck harness, they locate the PCM under the hood instead of in vehicle as with a car harness.  I had to change the injector plugs to use the LS1 injectors, but that's not a big deal.  All superfluous wiring has been removed IE evap, catalyst, downstream 02's, EGR and so on.  Used a factory fuse block so the engine harness plugged right in.  You'll need to get the PCM tuned to get rid of the VATS, which disables the engine if the body control module isn't correct or is missing, as will be your case.  Might as well have your tuner get rid of all the stuff you left out of the wiring as well. 

 

I know some people have used a truck intake but I wanted to be able to get as much uptravel as I could so I put the engine a bit higher than some I guess, warranting the use of a car intake.  No big deal, plenty can be had for cheap.  I also went to F-body accessories, it saves almost two inches on the front of the motor.

 

 

 

I have been doing some housecleaning things, got the wipers working, playing with other stuff.  Picked up an old Coleman grill and powder coated it to match the truck, for some tail gate cooking.

 

1383553_599283719951_960707538_n.jpg

 

1378871_599283680031_1324982241_n.jpg

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...



I started on my washer fluid reservoir.  Since it shares real estate with the heater hoses I decided to run the coolant through the reservoir and heat the washer fluid.  Mercedes used to run a coolant through a coil in their washer reservoir and I have always wanted to build one.  Nothing like a hot squirt to melt the ice.  I haven't done much alloy, but I am pretty happy with how this thing is turning out.


579048_600983358861_842719959_n.jpg

1379314_600983348881_2018958843_n.jpg

539125_600983343891_1599698634_n.jpg

559706_600983568441_813003681_n.jpg

603025_600983603371_648590561_n.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I need to finish up my rear suspension before I put some air under the tires.  I can't wait, and I will post stuff up as soon as I do it.

 



531840_603478099381_1579551322_n.jpg

Let's just say it gets real hot.

I'm thinking about my gauge setup now, and the OBD II Racepak cable setup is really tempting.  I don't need any of the crazy data logging features but it does look like a really nice layout.  I could just run Autometers, or something but I like the look of the digital all in ones.  Anyone running one, and who makes the most reasonably priced unit? modify_inline.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys! I have more progress!!

 

 
1471084_604987354821_1267109922_n.jpg
 
Thanks to Blake's tip on used NASCAR lines on eBay I made a little catch can setup.  
 
563125_604987334861_900452164_n.jpg
 
I don't really like the little cone filters, so I opted for this chrome unit.  I'm pretty happy with my progress on alloy welding, lots to learn still.
 
1395974_604993672161_1383935410_n.jpg
 
Despite their amazing offroad ability I decided to ditch the TSL's for tires that are round.  I debated on lots of different tires but settled on the KM2's.  They look like mini Krawlers, are amazing on the road, can actually be balanced and have a good reputation off road.  I am very pleased with the street manners, such a huge improvement.  
 
1459679_604993687131_378670303_n.jpg
 
Got my hydro setup install and functional.  I plan on upgrading the master from a 5/8" to a 3/4" to shorten my throw a bit.  That said it is so much fun to mess with, albeit a bit frightening at times.  Nothing like sliding a tall swaybarless truck around sideways.  
 
541781_604686213311_928848026_n.jpg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share


×
×
  • Create New...