Rowdy89mj Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 New here, 88 mj 2wd swb - been working on upgrades and dependability. it’s still a work in progress, so don’t mind the mess. then vs now a little clip of the cam idle IMG_9799.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 18, 2021 Author Share Posted October 18, 2021 drivetrain specs: 11’ Vortec Lc9 (ls series) aluminum block 5.3. Torn down and rebuilt from bare block with stage 3 BTR cam, ported heads, Novak motor mounts and radiator/3fan assembly, stock intake(for now) stock alt, p/s, a/c locations and brackets (for now), coated short tube headers and custom full exhaust with quiet magna flow mufflers 08’ 4l60E transmission - rebuilt after first drive, I burnt up 4th gear. Circle d 3800 stall converter custom drive shaft- one piece with Ford flanges. ford 8.8 rear end with 4.10 posi custom purchases for the rebuilt stock leaf springs, custom shock mounts with ranchero 9000s all new moog front end parts, including gear box and re-enforced frame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted October 18, 2021 Share Posted October 18, 2021 Ummm .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 I’m not the best with documenting while working- progress is addicting, but I did manage some. the Jeep was in pretty rough shape when I got to it. The windshield molding had been leaking, along with the fuse box seal. one of the previous owners must have broken the windshield trim clips and decided to screw it right into the roof. After removing the windshield I used Eastwood Encapsulator to seal the rust in the framing and prevent it from spreading. And made a temporary runoff/ Awning for the fuse box to divert any water, and resealed the hood at the wiper cowl with new gasket I also treated the floors with it- being they weren’t too bad and I live in Louisiana I wasn’t too worried. Having removed all the interior to repair the floors, I decided to get rid of the carpet and bench seat. That’s when I found this forum and got the idea to make my own brackets. seats are from an 86(?) corvette and I Frankenstein’d those seat tracks with some xj brackets I had to cut a hole for the seat brackets to fit- but NBD because It’s a 2wd, I have tons of extra room under it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 getting rid of the previous owners Rustoleum rattle can paint job- she actually did a decent job on it. mirrors were also bolted into the door with a bracket- I could only find newer style ones at pull a part so that’s what I got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 I had done a few engine repairs- leaks, oil pressure and etc sensor swap from light to gauge, distributor. So I’m starting to spend money on it, with knowing the front end parts are all completely wiped out, interior needs to be addressed (I’m driving around on an unbolted seat and unbolted seatbelts), needs lots of body work and paint, and after figuring a portion of the cost I wasn’t liking this project idea. I had the opportunity to get an aluminum 5.3 out of a wrecked 11 Chevy 1500, I was told it had lifted tap. that’s when I decided to do the swap. I’ve always wanted a loopy cammed vehicle and a Jeep truck seemed the like the most bad @$$ thing to have it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 After retrieving the 5.3, it got torn down to a bare block for cleaning and reassembly. Some go fast parts were ordered, and the rebuild starts. I documented some of the assembly with time lap- unfortunately most of the files will be too big to use the forums upload feature- This is installing the pistons(stock), timing chain(vvt delete), and valley cover(ICT billet)- crank (stock) and cam(BTR stage 3 car) already installed. FullSizeRender.mov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 IMG_9025.MOV Engine assembly continued- I have access to oem instructions for engine assembly with torque specs that I referenced every step of the way. Cleanliness is key! IMG_9025.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 Lots of little things were starting to be taken care of- clearing out the wiring, frame stiffeners, new steering and suspension components Novak motor mounts, removed the 4.0, installed the 5.3 for test fit- need to get measurements for drive shaft and make sure the dang thing will fit. I’ve read on here that it’s impossible to fit the stick alt/ps brackets as well as stock a/c locations- the only thing that doesn’t fit is the hood! Lol I didn’t even have to lift it for the deep oil pan to clear. I worked out another deal and got a body guy to get the body straight and get it into primer- he needs mechanic work done on his own project. shot of the body work and original paint the Novak radiator assembly fits like a dream- it was a great investment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiNi Beast Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 Reserved for updates. Thanks for sharing. A fan for the ls conversion swap. Thanks for sharing. Welcome to the club! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 As I said, all the front steering and suspension components were shot. Rockauto had everything I needed in moog (lifetime warranty) tie rod ends, drag link, pitman arm, remand gear box new springs, ranchero 9000 shocks, steering stabilizer, even got ahold of some Polly bushings the driver side rear leaf spring seems to have gotten worn out, and hangs lower than the other- I decided to have the local spring shop rebuild the stock ones- and I found a Ford 8.8 from a junk yard out of a explorer with 4.10s the Jeep wheels actually fit great around the brakes, the only issue is the rear tires sit a 1/4 narrower than the front. It’s hard to notice without looking for it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 On 10/19/2021 at 7:05 AM, MiNi Beast said: Reserved for updates. Thanks for sharing. A fan for the ls conversion swap. Thanks for sharing. Welcome to the club! Thank you. It’s gonna take me awhile to get this all up and posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 Onto the body work- my guy has done some spectacular work. This things is baby smooth! he used some “pink” primer- it sprays pink but dries grey I'm really having a hard time choosing a color and design to wrap it but I do have a few ideas. Maybe the pizza truck from toy story (I know it’s a Toyota but don’t care) or Like this, keeping it in it’s time era and this one as rough general idea of striping and different colors I think any thing with a base of a military style color and then some accent that realllllly pops on it- I’m also open for ideas! Post up some pictures! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 After some test fitting, pulled the engine back out for some engine bay cleaning and painting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 After the install, wiring and tuning were a big hurdle crossed. With a sloppy home brewed tune (professional was booked for over a month) I got the truck together a week before Crusing The Coast, and made the trip to the Mississippi coast. It was tremendously successful, with only one late night autozone parking lot repair! IMG_9799.MOV man does this little truck RUN! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 -as anyone with a ls swap knows, I had issues with a hood fitting. after a fast intake and some cutting, we modified a stock hood with a cowl. Snuck in a red head steering box upgrade as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted October 20, 2021 Author Share Posted October 20, 2021 Wheel hop was terrible. light truck and leaf springs, my axle wrap was brutal. A set a Caltrac traction bars did the trick! I called Caltrac and they sent me over a form for a custom set of traction bars. With a ford 8.8 out of a explorer and Jeep mounting points, they made it really easy to get these parts installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted September 10, 2022 Author Share Posted September 10, 2022 I found a set of gold snowflake wheels at the local pull a part. Wrapped those in a set of nitto drag radials 🤌🤌🤌 maybe this link will work. I’m testing tire pressures and contact points. And a very nice sound clip https://www.instagram.com/reel/CXoQ7NuDh5H/?igshid=MTA0ZTI1NzA= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted September 10, 2022 Author Share Posted September 10, 2022 FullSizeRender.MOV Little LS on LS crime got it tuned, made a few passes on the street at on the drag strip. had a few fans of the build, if you listen, they are excited I won. 😂 vs mustang 5.0 IMG_0453.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiatslug87 Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Kicked their a$$es!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pago cruiser Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 That is awesome! On the strip, were you slightly crossed up most of the way, or just the camera angle? Looks... odd. What was your time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainPatchy Posted September 17, 2022 Share Posted September 17, 2022 Man, this really makes me wanna swap mine at some point! You caught that Mustang driver snoozing that light! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted September 18, 2022 Author Share Posted September 18, 2022 On 9/16/2022 at 10:33 PM, pago cruiser said: That is awesome! On the strip, were you slightly crossed up most of the way, or just the camera angle? Looks... odd. What was your time? I think it’s just the camera angle.. my best time so far is 12.4@105mph mu goal is to break out into the 11’s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted September 18, 2022 Author Share Posted September 18, 2022 22 hours ago, CaptainPatchy said: Man, this really makes me wanna swap mine at some point! You caught that Mustang driver snoozing that light! It was my plan from day 1 of ownership. It’s been a dream of mine to have a loopy cammed mini truck. I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s so much fun to drive. Everywhere I go, and especially when I race, I have a ton of people showing me love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowdy89mj Posted September 18, 2022 Author Share Posted September 18, 2022 Yesterday I did a shakedown day, drove 150+miles and then ran it 3 passes at the track. got over 10mpg, no breaks, and happened to win all the races! cruising the coast is in 2 weeks and it’s a week of abuse I put on the truck. I plan on doing a lot of racing, and I’m going to do the burnout competition. I added a drive shaft safety loop, and some pvc pipe over my traction bars- I think it’s a pretty funny trick IMG_0659.MOV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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