500HP YJ Build

Got a lot of little things done today. Wiring's done for the time being and cleaned up. Mounted the 2-step module in the glove box. Sending unit for the temp and oil pressure gauge are hooked Heading to junkyard in the am to grab a trans fitting I messed up, then to the parts store for new plugs and a new battery. Finish up a few small things, and then fire this thing up and break the motor in!

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After a few issues, got the motor fired up!!! Unfortenaly, noise cut off get the beat us so only got to run in for a few seconds. Had a bad voltage drop on the power wire for the starter, got that fixed then seemed like it was getting fire. Checked the wiring for the MSD box and found I wasn't getting power while cranking, fixed that. Finally started to sputter to life and something wasn't right, little more digging and the carb was puking gas, had been sitting for a year and 1/2. Trip to O'rielly for a carb kit and a couple hours and it fired right up. Will finish break in tomorrow, then do a little tuning and see how thing really sounds!


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=529148273816844&notif_t=like

If anybody knows how to link the video from my Facebook, feel free to. Thanks.

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ORV design and fab said:
Nice job, and fast, I was the guy at the flats in January with the excursion you pulled me up to the upper parking deck! Huge change.
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Thanks man, still have a LONG way to go. Got ya, hope things have been doing good for ya.
 
Finished breaking in the motor today. Few minors issues with the dist hold down loosing up but got that taken care of. Reved it up a few good times and slung the alternator belt, will have to get the pulleys lined up better. Found out the power steering pump is shot. Think I'm going to have to figure a way to get more air across the radiator, currently running a 16" pusher with no shroud. Took it ten min to get from outside temp to 215 running at 2000RPM with no load, once back at idle, temp stayed steady but didnt drop. Have the thermostat bypassed. Will have to do some more tuning on the motor once I get it drivable, but for now seems pretty stout!

 
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I bet he breaks more than me.
 
So what is going on with this thing?
 
drkelly said:
So what is going on with this thing?
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Currently collecting dust and rust. Burned up all my money on the push to this thing built and really wasnt able to recover. Just started back at my old job earlier this week, have some bills to pay down and a few other things to fix, then back on this. Would like to have it trail ready by october for The Flats and my b-day, hopefully much sooner.
 
Messed with this thing today for the time in forever. Built a new set of rear spring packs to get rig of the "Carolina Squat". Ended up with a 2 XJ mains mil wrapped, Dakota 2nd, 2 XJ 3rds, and a XJ 4th. Sits much better with a little rake to it.

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Better build a set of traction bars. Those XJ hybrid springs won't make it through the first trip, I can tell you from experience. I would suggest something similar to Sam's Offroad traction bar so you don't loose very much suspension flex.
 
sqrl$$ said:
Better build a set of traction bars. Those XJ hybrid springs won't make it through the first trip, I can tell you from experience. I would suggest something similar to Sam's Offroad traction bar so you don't loose very much suspension flex.
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Its in the works. Have a Barnes4wd anti-wrap bar kit sitting on the kitchen table.
 
Ordered some more parts for this thing last week and a some stuff came in here today so decided to do some work for going to bed for work. Mocked up the new headers, got a set of coated mid-length's from Jegs, the fit great and look even better! Just had to grind the motor mounts down to clear. Got the pass side done today, but the driver side will be a little more involved. Application is for a 55-57 Chevy or Corvette. Got the 14 bolt truss system mocked up. Its a Barnes 4wd truss with a Chassis Unlimted pinion support tie in kit. Not the prettiest thing but should do the job. My 205 rear support kit came in today aswell so should be able to finish up building the t-case cross members soon. Also have a PSC 1.75" x 6.75" hydro ram on the way.
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Got a few thing knocked out this past weekend. Did a quick alignment on the front end and get the hydro ram mocked up and plumbed. Went to put the driver side header one and realized I got it two big a hurry on the first fit up, after some grinding on the motor mount, realized the #3 & 5 plugs were hitting the primaries bad. Damn angle plug heads. Found a set of 3/4" header spacers on Ebay that should fix my prob, they'll be here tomorrow. Made some temp spacers to make sure, looks much better.
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I've been slack at updating this but still steadily moving along. Finished up building the trans X-member, thanks Noah for letting me use your bender. Got the ant-wrap bar finished up this weekend. Ran into an issue with having to cut another hole in the floor so had Andy Carter at Ironman4x4.com make me a custom shackle and with some brackets I found from Ruff Stuff, prob solved! Also got the rear shock mounts done, mounted the trans cooler. This evening pulled the rear axle, anti-wrap bar, and trans X-member to drop off at a buddies shop to get them welded. Made a temp 1350 drive shaft to move it around, going to have to figure something at the t-case end. Rear shaft is at a 25* angle at ride height. I guess grind the yokes and if that doesn't work its a Tom Woods offset joint, unless any one had some ideas? Still have a long way to go but finally starting to see a faint light at the end of the tunnel!

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71chevytruckguy said:
Made a temp 1350 drive shaft to move it around, going to have to figure something at the t-case end. Rear shaft is at a 25* angle at ride height. I guess grind the yokes and if that doesn't work its a Tom Woods offset joint, unless any one had some ideas?
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Raise the rear leaf spring shackle frame mounting location up to lower the ass end of the Jeep some? It seems to sit a couple inches or so higher in the rear. Lower is better :)
 
drkelly said:
Raise the rear leaf spring shackle frame mounting location up to lower the ass end of the Jeep some? It seems to sit a couple inches or so higher in the rear. Lower is better :)
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Rear rollers are a little taller than the fronts, should sit with slight rake one its leaved out. I'd aware lower is better but dragging your belly everwhere isn't. Think it should work.

paradisePWoffrd said:
with your pinion pointed up like that you are going to haveto run a double-carden at the top of the driveshaft. Otherwise you will get some crazy vibes.
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I'm aware, trying to help out on the t-case end as much as possible.
 
I've been pretty darn busy with this over that last week. My schedule has pretty much been go work, work on the jeep, sleep, repeat. Hauled the Jeep to my buddies shop and got all the welding done Saturday. Today, started early and started knocking out all the little things. Got all the brake lines for the rear made then realized my soft like has two different sized tube nuts. Should get that figured out tomorrow and be able to get the brakes working. Was able to do a test flex today and found the rear tires are hitting the shocks. Plan is to order a set of 1.5" spacers and should solve that prob. Mocked up the skid plate and clearanced it then got it painted. Greased all the fittings and filled up both axles and cases, when threw three gallons of gear oil. Made a LOT of progress today. Swung by Oliver's Friday and put in a order for a 1/4" wall rear shaft. Found out the PO of the t-case up graded the front yoke to a 32 spline so now have 32 spline 1350 yokes front and rear. Going to get the brackets on the radiator re-loacted to give me more clearance from the motor and upgrade to a Taurus fan as a puller and install the 16" fan from the radiator on the trans cooler.

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