OP
Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift
- Thread starter Wildman
- Start date
Lol
We all have apit.
Some of us have more than one!
OP
WOW I feel like I got hit by a bus. It was a LONG day out in the garage and I've got some good stuff done today. I needed to get the fenders installed so that I could get some of the under hood items mounted. I started with the driver's fender.
Then did the passenger's fender. Not sure which was worse but they were both a PITA to get done.
Something had fallen on the passenger fender and chipped the paint in two spots.
Then I finished cleaning up the grill.
Then did the passenger's fender. Not sure which was worse but they were both a PITA to get done.
Something had fallen on the passenger fender and chipped the paint in two spots.
Then I finished cleaning up the grill.
OP
Next was to mount the grill. WOW I haven't seen this sight for over 3 years now and I actually think it is more like 6 to 8 years since I'd pulled the grill off.
Yep I had to take tons of pictures since this is a NEW sight.
Got the wiring fed back thru the grill and trying to remember how it's laid out along the fender.
Got to remember what I did with the PDC mount bracket.
Then started getting stuff mounted to the inner fenders, Driver's side first since it has most of the junk.
Things are starting to look like they belong.
Still have to weld on the front grill support but got it mounted to the grill so I can tack it onto the front tube.
Steering box clears the grill just fine.
Need to drill and tap the shock tower for this bracket for the EVAP canister. Had to do some bending of the bracket to make it fit but I think I've got it figured out.
I am still trying to figure out the placement of the horns on the inner fender but had to bend the mounting brackets some. About this point it was time to call it a day. I've got an appointment to pick up my other sockets tomorrow, so I won't get anything done on the Jeep. But while I'm in town I can pick up gear oil for the axles and t-case. There are a few other things I need but of course can't remember what right now. Need to make a LIST.
Yep I had to take tons of pictures since this is a NEW sight.
Got the wiring fed back thru the grill and trying to remember how it's laid out along the fender.
Got to remember what I did with the PDC mount bracket.
Then started getting stuff mounted to the inner fenders, Driver's side first since it has most of the junk.
Things are starting to look like they belong.
Still have to weld on the front grill support but got it mounted to the grill so I can tack it onto the front tube.
Steering box clears the grill just fine.
Need to drill and tap the shock tower for this bracket for the EVAP canister. Had to do some bending of the bracket to make it fit but I think I've got it figured out.
I am still trying to figure out the placement of the horns on the inner fender but had to bend the mounting brackets some. About this point it was time to call it a day. I've got an appointment to pick up my other sockets tomorrow, so I won't get anything done on the Jeep. But while I'm in town I can pick up gear oil for the axles and t-case. There are a few other things I need but of course can't remember what right now. Need to make a LIST.
OP
Kind of MOTIVATES me to want to get more of it done now. The hose clamps I needed for the transmission & power steering cooler will be here tomorrow so I can start getting everything plumbed. Then I can install the radiator and hook everything up and then be able to run the engine for a longer time. Once all that's done then I can attack the axles so they can go under the Jeep for the LAST time I hope. It ain't CLOSE but DAMN it's a lot closer than it was.
OP
Good job buddy!Love seeing that grill mounted. Great progress.
Thanks, been a LONG time coming.
This is one of the best stories being told right now!
OP
Went back out for a cigar and couldn't help myself I had to mess around with it. Started looking for where I could mount the power steering reservoir and came up with a few ideas.
That was a little close, so I looked at other spots. Nope don't think it can sit there.
So the next idea is to do as I did before and hang it off one of the grill support rods.
But then also bring a support off the brake valve bracket and tie it into the rear base of the reservoir where it's threaded.
On a whim since I had the EVAP hooked up now I figured I'd check for codes.
Wait what's this? Now I have NO codes. Not even the transmission solenoids anymore.
Then I couldn't resist this, I had to throw the new bumper back on and see what it's going to look like with the grill there finally.
Freaking LOOKS AWESOME IMO. Can't wait to have it all painted and ready to Rock & Roll.
That was a little close, so I looked at other spots. Nope don't think it can sit there.
So the next idea is to do as I did before and hang it off one of the grill support rods.
But then also bring a support off the brake valve bracket and tie it into the rear base of the reservoir where it's threaded.
On a whim since I had the EVAP hooked up now I figured I'd check for codes.
Wait what's this? Now I have NO codes. Not even the transmission solenoids anymore.
Then I couldn't resist this, I had to throw the new bumper back on and see what it's going to look like with the grill there finally.
Freaking LOOKS AWESOME IMO. Can't wait to have it all painted and ready to Rock & Roll.
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I mounted my horns in the grill in the bottom outside corners basically under the headlights. I don't plan on installing the blinkers there so it worked for me
Progress is looking awesome
Progress is looking awesome
OP
I'm guessing that you must have extended the wiring to be able to install them in the grill? Are they the stock horns? Might be the time to upgrade to a better horn too?
Yes I extended the wiring but no they are not stock horns. They are the ricer (Hella, red) car horn. They were on clearance under 10 bucks I believe lol.
They are much louder than the stock horns but they are higher pitched. If you can imagine the road runner beep, beep, only higher.
They are much louder than the stock horns but they are higher pitched. If you can imagine the road runner beep, beep, only higher.
OP
The horns are the least of my worries at this point. I am having some clearance issues with the Wizard Cooling radiator I have right now so I've got to address that before i do anything else.
OP
OP
WOW I'd started the day planning on getting the transmission lines done but then things sort of went sideways on me. Thought I'd just throw the radiator in and then be able to get the transmission lines made but when I tried to mount the radiator it wouldn't fit. Pulled the fan off and dropped it in place just to verify that it DID fit,
What is causing me issues is the pulley on the alternator for the OBA. If I didn't have that I'd be golden and none of this would be happening.
What is causing me issues is the pulley on the alternator for the OBA. If I didn't have that I'd be golden and none of this would be happening.
OP
Wizard cooling offers 2 different engine swap radiators in the style I have. One with a 2.25" core and one with a 2.75" core but the measurements listed on their website shows them both having the same mounting depth so due to the size of my engine I ordered the 2.75" core. The mounting plate for the fan is held on with 4 allen head bolts and one of them is right where the alternator pulley is. So, I tried to measure how much room I had under the fan before it touched the core. At first, I thought I had a good 1" of room until I flipped the fan over and realized the backside of it was beveled out in the center. Now I was down to 1mm of space. But I was like OK I'll try that and see if I can make it all work. First, I tried to move the engine back a little which seemed to give me about 1/4" of movement. But that wouldn't be enough, so I still needed to do something else. I mark 1mm all the way around the mounting plate for the fan then used some painters tape to mark where I needed to cut it at. First I tried the air nibbler I have but the aluminum was too thick and it wasn't cutting very good. I broke out the angle grinder and tried to make as straight of cuts as I could.
They weren't all real straight, but it works. Now remember I told you the back side of the fan is beveled out? Yep, I hadn't noticed this until AFTER I'd done the cutting so when I put the fan back on it was hitting the core. DAMN IT. Got out all my bags of bolts and washers and found 8 washers that were the correct size. I spaced the fan off the top of the mounting plate using the washers. Now the radiator with the fan installed would fit and not hit the alternator pulley.
Yes, it is close, but it does fit.
They weren't all real straight, but it works. Now remember I told you the back side of the fan is beveled out? Yep, I hadn't noticed this until AFTER I'd done the cutting so when I put the fan back on it was hitting the core. DAMN IT. Got out all my bags of bolts and washers and found 8 washers that were the correct size. I spaced the fan off the top of the mounting plate using the washers. Now the radiator with the fan installed would fit and not hit the alternator pulley.
Yes, it is close, but it does fit.