SJ’s TJ

Irun said:
Although it may seem slow to you, this was done extremely quickly. It will be a beast to wheel with and I'm confident you'll beat on it appropriately! ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks Rich! I the grand scheme of life, it didn't take that long given I was never able to just spend full days working on it all day long. Part time over 8-9 months isn't terrible given it is basically 3 different projects in one. I'm hoping it wheels as good as it looks. I still need to get a trailer to tow it, but I have plenty of time for that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22, Bud125 and Wildman
Sj's TJ said:
I got the last tire mounted and then got all the wheels/tires on the rig:

View attachment 486627

View attachment 486628

View attachment 486629

I still need to add nitrogen back into the rear shocks to level her back up. I also need to tighten all the CA jam nuts and adjust the Atlas shifter as the rear arm got loose somehow. Once that’s done, I can take it for a test spin around the neighborhood!!!!! Stoked
Click to expand...

Sweet... Happy for ya...


Sj's TJ said:
Thanks Rich! I the grand scheme of life, it didn't take that long given I was never able to just spend full days working on it all day long. Part time over 8-9 months isn't terrible given it is basically 3 different projects in one. I'm hoping it wheels as good as it looks. I still need to get a trailer to tow it, but I have plenty of time for that.
Click to expand...

You got yours done quick in comparison to mine... I'm going on 3.5 years and I'm still a month or more away from taking it out & hitting some trails. I'm sure it's gunna wheel. There's too many builds that are similar that perform really well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PNW_LJ and Bud125
I got the Atlas shifter tightened up and adjusted and they got all the jam nuts on the CAs, steering tie rods and track bar tightened down and took her for a test spin around the neighborhood. She drives, but I need a tune desperately. Every time I let me foot off the gas when in gear it stalls, so I just kept the foot on the gas and in first gear to drive around. I'm pretty excited that I was able to drive it, so at least I know it drives. Now on to actually finishing it up. I need to button up all the grill wiring for the lights and such as well as fix my steering shaft. I didn't weld it perfectly straight and it binds. more to come in the next few weeks, but now the light is at the end of the tunnel. I'm pretty excited!!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • USA Proud
Reactions: NashvilleTJ, TJ Starting, Rickyd and 4 others
Sj's TJ said:
I got the Atlas shifter tightened up and adjusted and they got all the jam nuts on the CAs, steering tie rods and track bar tightened down and took her for a test spin around the neighborhood. She drives, but I need a tune desperately. Every time I let me foot off the gas when in gear it stalls, so I just kept the foot on the gas and in first gear to drive around. I'm pretty excited that I was able to drive it, so at least I know it drives. Now on to actually finishing it up. I need to button up all the grill wiring for the lights and such as well as fix my steering shaft. I didn't weld it perfectly straight and it binds. more to come in the next few weeks, but now the light is at the end of the tunnel. I'm pretty excited!!
Click to expand...

Do you have a speed sensor hooked to the LS pcm? Your issue sounds like something i heard about when doing my ls swap
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22 and Sj's TJ
Sj's TJ said:
I do not. I have the standard speedo from the TJ. What did you end up doing?
Click to expand...

I put a 2000 lq4 in my 70 k20.not the same situation but i used a dakota digital speed sensor inline with the speedo cable on the np205. I've read that it doesn't need to be accurate,just enough for the pcm to know its moving? Something to research anyway?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22, Sj's TJ and Wildman
Rickyd said:
I put a 2000 lq4 in my 70 k20.not the same situation but i used a dakota digital speed sensor inline with the speedo cable on the np205. I've read that it doesn't need to be accurate,just enough for the pcm to know its moving? Something to research anyway?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I'll research. I know in the instructions of the stand alone harness said the VSS was optional. I'm not sure if since I have a non electric auto if it matters, but I'll look into it.
 
Small update today. Since getting a dyno tune is expensive and time consuming given the closest one is 2 hours away, I broke down and ordered a Holley Terminator X. This way I don’t have to mess around trying to get a tune and then a possible re-tune.

I also finished up adding some perforated aluminum to covers for the OEM shock tower openings on the inner fenders:

IMG_4189.jpeg


IMG_4191.jpeg


I also got the fuse panel, charcoal canister and my ARB pump installed on the inner fenders so they are 100% done. I’m pretty happy with how they turned out. I can always paint the aluminum black in the future if I want. I’ll send another update once I get the Terminator X hooked up.
 
  • Like
  • USA Proud
Reactions: Apparition, JMT, Lax22 and 5 others
I like the perforated aluminum to cover the openings. I might have to do that to mine.

Curious to see how the Terminator works out for you. The stock Dodge PCM is very limited in tuning ability and have thought about using one on my engine not that they offer the ability to control the 46RE.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sj's TJ and Irun
Wildman said:
I like the perforated aluminum to cover the openings. I might have to do that to mine.

Curious to see how the Terminator works out for you. The stock Dodge PCM is very limited in tuning ability and have thought about using one on my engine not that they offer the ability to control the 46RE.
Click to expand...

I’ve only heard good things about the Terminator X. It seems simple, straight forward and versatile. I’ll keep you posted.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22 and Wildman
I know someone asked how I was going to deal with the rear area with the shock towers poking through. Here is what I can up for now:

IMG_4192.jpeg


I just cut the carpet to accommodate the towers. It’s not weather proof, but it’ll do for now.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22, Irun and Wildman
Sj's TJ said:
I’ve only heard good things about the Terminator X. It seems simple, straight forward and versatile. I’ll keep you posted.
Click to expand...

Same here. I guess I've got to first get my damn engine running correctly first and see if I'm happy with the power it's making or if I want to try to get more out of it.
Plus I've already spent the money to get a HPTuner and have a MPVI2 + so that is about half the cost of the Terminator X. I can always sell it if I decide to go that route.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sj's TJ
I got the Terminator X installed and setup. I settled on the glovebox for the Ecu:


IMG_4202.jpeg


I’ve got it all setup for the most part. Still performing some tweaks to get the IAC a little lower, but she now runs very smooth. I need to drive it to get the learning completed, but the weather isn’t cooperating. I also need to figure out how I’m going to bed the brakes in.

I’m really happy that I went with the terminator X. It was super easy to wire up and the setup wizard takes all the guess work out of the process. I recommend it if you you have anything that isn’t stock and needs some kind of tune.

IMG_4202.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22, JMT, TJ Starting and 2 others
Sj's TJ said:
I got the Terminator X installed and setup. I settled on the glovebox for the Ecu:


View attachment 492149

I’ve got it all setup for the most part. Still performing some tweaks to get the IAC a little lower, but she now runs very smooth. I need to drive it to get the learning completed, but the weather isn’t cooperating. I also need to figure out how I’m going to bed the brakes in.

I’m really happy that I went with the terminator X. It was super easy to wire up and the setup wizard takes all the guess work out of the process. I recommend it if you you have anything that isn’t stock and needs some kind of tune.
Click to expand...

This makes me think about one for my engine more and more. I could use it with my Magnum V-8 and if I ever wanted to swap in a Hemi it'd work on that too. They have a plug for the 46RE and a Hemi bolts to it also. There is a video on YT where he shows how to run the coil on plugs like the LS on the Magnum engines too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sj's TJ
Wildman said:
This makes me think about one for my engine more and more. I could use it with my Magnum V-8 and if I ever wanted to swap in a Hemi it'd work on that too. They have a plug for the 46RE and a Hemi bolts to it also. There is a video on YT where he shows how to run the coil on plugs like the LS on the Magnum engines too.
Click to expand...

I really does take the guess work out of a lot things and is extremely versatile. If you want to make more advanced tuning packages you can still do all that as well. Not something I'll likely do, but it's nice to know that is an option. It's spendy for sure and I wish I just started with it, but I'm glad I made the move. The initial startup was like night and day from the stock computer setup I had. I still need address why my trans temp gauge stopped working and a couple other minor wiring items, but I'm really happy with how this turned out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22 and Wildman
How is the throttle control with the Sniper? Mine always feels like the ECU has control, rather than the throttle. There is not a direct response to throttle input like with a carb - especially when letting off.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman and Sj's TJ
NashvilleTJ said:
How is the throttle control with the Sniper? Mine always feels like the ECU has control, rather than the throttle. There is not a direct response to throttle input like with a carb - especially when letting off.
Click to expand...

My setup is drive by cable so all throttle response is via me pressing the pedal. The TPS gets setup a bunch of times as you adjust the IAC during the idle setup. I imagine drive by wire is a little different. I feel in my wife's '17 Cherokee the throttle response is terrible and that is drive by wire. I previously had a drive by wire in an '04 and it wasn't as bad as the Cherokee, but you could notice a slight delay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman and NashvilleTJ
I'm glad mine is still drive by cable. My 2018 Ram was DBW and my Harley was too but you couldn't notice the lag as much on either of them.

For what I paid for the HPTuner plus the tunes from FRP I would have been within $400-500 of the Terminator X Max but then I'd have had to buy all the other supporting parts. But like you said I think I would have been farther ahead with the Terminator as far as tuning goes and potential HP & TQ output compared to the stock PCM. It's something to consider down the line once I get some of the other issues fixed. But I look forward to hearing more about how it's working for you once you've gotten a chance to get some more seat time with it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sj's TJ
Wildman said:
I'm glad mine is still drive by cable. My 2018 Ram was DBW and my Harley was too but you couldn't notice the lag as much on either of them.

For what I paid for the HPTuner plus the tunes from FRP I would have been within $400-500 of the Terminator X Max but then I'd have had to buy all the other supporting parts. But like you said I think I would have been farther ahead with the Terminator as far as tuning goes and potential HP & TQ output compared to the stock PCM. It's something to consider down the line once I get some of the other issues fixed. But I look forward to hearing more about how it's working for you once you've gotten a chance to get some more seat time with it.
Click to expand...

Makes sense given where you are in your build. Since I have a Turbo 400 with reverse manual valve body, I only needed the Terminator X and not the X Max. That made things more reasonable and simple. I took the rig out for a spin once I finished setting everything up and I could really feel the power the V8 really has. If I got on it even a little bit it took off pretty nicely. As I mentioned previously, I need to get the brakes bedded in so my brakes aren't up to real street driving yet so I need to figure that out. Once that is done, I can really take it for longer drives so the ECU can self learn in all conditions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lax22, Irun, Bud125 and 2 others
Top Bottom
Back