Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

[NashvilleTJ]

I honestly can’t remember what happened. I’ll go back later today and take a look.

I went over to Jeep Forum and took a look. Starts on post #1755. The alternator plug on my Hotwire harness was for a stock 5.7 Hemi alternator. This plug is not used on the Premier Alternator as there is no place to plug it in. The male plug on the module was a two pin (like yours) which did not fit the stock 5.7 plug on the harness. I posted a pic of the module plug and a buddy on that forum happened to have the correct female version and sent it to me. I don't think I ever found out what it came from, but I swapped it for the harness side plug, and it worked.

This is the original 5.7 Hemi Alternator connector on the Hotwire harness.

Can't find a pic of the new connector which worked.

 

[Wildman]

I went over to Jeep Forum and took a look. Starts on post #1755. The alternator plug on my Hotwire harness was for a stock 5.7 Hemi alternator. This plug is not used on the Premier Alternator as there is no place to plug it in. The male plug on the module was a two pin (like yours) which did not fit the stock 5.7 plug on the harness. I posted a pic of the module plug and a buddy on that forum happened to have the correct female version and sent it to me. I don't think I ever found out what it came from, but I swapped it for the harness side plug, and it worked.

This is the original 5.7 Hemi Alternator connector on the Hotwire harness.

View attachment 547726

Can't find a pic of the new connector which worked.

Thanks Jeff. Seems like swapping out that plug is the "EASY" fix to the problem. I am going to let them know at Premier that what they sent isn't the plug used, don't know that it'll matter to them.

 

[Wildman]

It's turned down & out which is better than the other manifold.
I'll see how it fits tomorrow.

 

[Wildman]

We have *NEW* OEM 6.4 longblocks (MDS) coming into our Tomball, TX location.

We are going to be offering options for 6.4 392 Longblocks:

-Stock as is
-Stock + MDS delete w/ FRP camshaft (parts to DIY install)
-Turn-Key w/ FRP cam kit already installed.

No core required.

Choose from Hellfire 2.0 NSR, Hellfire 2.0, or Tomahawk 2.0 to yield maximum horsepower from a 6.4 longblock.

FRP has longblocks in stock. This is for pickup at his shop for $6400. Considering I can't buy a used engine for under $3K locally that isn't a bad price.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/YZRFuak1SiiaZsfK/

 

[Wildman]

Started off thinking I'd get the steering pump hooked up.... That didn't get very far...

I could hook it up using the 90* fitting I'd ordered but it wouldn't sit right.

So instead of going with the 90* fitting I ordered a straight fitting for the pump end of the hose.

 

[Wildman]

Then I thought I'd tackle the exhaust... The Stage 8 bolts aren't long enough to fit through the exhaust manifold flanges. I set the manifolds in place with the old exhaust manifold bolts so I've ordered a new set.. With the history of the stock bolts breaking I wasn't trilled about using the old ones.

Passenger side exhaust:

Drivers side exhaust:

Routing the exhaust is going to be a TON of fun... These are the old exhaust bolts.

 

[Wildman]

Waiting on some parts to arrive so didn't get much done today. But I got the plug in today for the Premier Power welder & it's what fits so I'll splice it into the wiring harness.

And a 27" V-belt fits the York GREAT.... I'll order a spare to have on hand.

I've got this much adjustment remaining.

And then got a surprise in the mail from a forum member who wanted to say thanks for the help I'd given. All I can say is WOW...

 

[Wildman]

Got a lot of little stuff done so far today. First I tightened down the alternator bolts... got to do things like this before I forget.

Then I made power steering lines.

 

[Wildman]

Got the line from the radiator to the aux transmission cooler made.

Then ran out of line to make the transmission to radiator lines with.

Also got the oil catch can lines replaced.

 

[Wildman]

The fittings for the A/C compressor came in yesterday.

Will tackle the A/C once I've gotten the Jeep running and a few shakedown runs in. So figure I won't worry about it until spring.

 

[Wildman]

I redid the breather fitting in the intake pipe also. Forgot to take pictures. But I got a bulkhead fitting and just cut off the inner barbs.

I could have gotten a 26.5" V-belt for the York.

 

[Wildman]

Once I get inside and download my pictures I'll finish the writeup for today. I've got a ton of pictures.

 

[Rickyd]

How's the fit compared to the magnum? Wider right? Taller too?

On the bright side plugs are easier to change right? I bet exhaust manifold bolts too.

 

[Wildman]

How's the fit compared to the magnum? Wider right? Taller too?

On the bright side plugs are easier to change right? I bet exhaust manifold bolts too.

I really don't think it's any taller than the Magnum with a stock intake "kegger" on it. I've been trying to decide if it's any wider than the Magnum too and I really don't think so. I feel like I have a little more room than I did with the Magnum. But you also have to remember my Magnum wasn't stock.
Yes the plug will be easier to get at & change except that I've got 16 of them instead of just 8. Since I don't have headers on the Hemi it's kind of hard to say if the bolts are easier or not to get at.

 

[Wildman]

Went to hook up the Premier Power alternator & noticed right off that there was something different about this new alternator.

The old alternator had these two extra wires on them that in the original wiring diagram were called the "boost " wires.

My wiring harness also had these two wires.

So I called Premier Power and discussed it with them. This was an older method that they don't do anymore and the switch on my control box for a Low & High weld is no longer used.

So I got the wiring hooked up to the alternator.

And the main harness is plugged in.

 

[Wildman]

Again a shout out to @Rickyd for joggin my memory about these thermostat housings that were drilled & tapped. He'd asked if I could weld a bung into the stock thermostat housing when I remembered seeing these housings on Ebay that were drilled & tapped.

The SPAL coolant temperature sensor fit into the housing great.

 

[Wildman]

Got the thermostat housing mounted and then had to figure out how to keep the wires from the temperature sensor out of the serpentine belt.

A clamp to hold the connector plug first.

Then a second one to hold the wire loom out of the way too.

Then I routed the temperature sensor wiring behind the alternator and back over to the wiring harness.

 

[Wildman]

I got the 12AN fitting for the power steering pump in so I made that line finally.

I might have made it a little longer than needed but if I need to I can trim a little off.

12 AN fitting on the power steering pump inlet.

10AN fitting on the reservoir end into a 12AN hose. Should feed the pump NO PROBLEM.

 

[Wildman]

Getting that serpentine belt onto the engine was a PITA...... I thought the Magnum was a puzzle palace but this Hemi is crazy. I understand WHY it's routed the way it is but DAMN...

Got the York belt on too so I could see how it all looked.

York looks good in there too.

But I could have gotten a shorter belt.

I am going to have to figure out something else for the air intake on the York. This air cleaner is going to have to go.

If I push it against the air cleaner I can almost get the support lined up but it puts a ton of pressure on the air cleaner. One option is to put another barb into the tubing and run a hose over to the fitting. At this point I'm thinking it's going to be my easiest solution.

But it's starting to look like an engine & a 10 gallon bucket of shit in a 5 gallon bucket again too.

It's really temping to fill the transmission & engine with oil & hook the battery up and see if I can lite this things off.... Open exhaust should sound pretty good. The new exhaust bolts were supposed to arrive today but are delayed until tomorrow.

I've got to go over to my sisters again for a few days to look at my nieces truck and help out. Leaving tomorrow afternoon and will hopefully be back Monday. By then I should have all the parts so that I can finish the transmission lines & then get the STaK's shifter hooked back up & then install the front driveshaft so I can have it in place as I build the exhaust.

I'm shooting for the end of the month to be driving it again.

 

[Sj's TJ]

Getting that serpentine belt onto the engine was a PITA...... I thought the Magnum was a puzzle palace but this Hemi is crazy. I understand WHY it's routed the way it is but DAMN...

View attachment 548725

Got the York belt on too so I could see how it all looked.

View attachment 548726

View attachment 548727

York looks good in there too.

View attachment 548728

But I could have gotten a shorter belt.

View attachment 548729

I am going to have to figure out something else for the air intake on the York. This air cleaner is going to have to go.

View attachment 548731

If I push it against the air cleaner I can almost get the support lined up but it puts a ton of pressure on the air cleaner. One option is to put another barb into the tubing and run a hose over to the fitting. At this point I'm thinking it's going to be my easiest solution.

View attachment 548732

But it's starting to look like an engine & a 10 gallon bucket of shit in a 5 gallon bucket again too.

View attachment 548730

It's really temping to fill the transmission & engine with oil & hook the battery up and see if I can lite this things off.... Open exhaust should sound pretty good. The new exhaust bolts were supposed to arrive today but are delayed until tomorrow.

I've got to go over to my sisters again for a few days to look at my nieces truck and help out. Leaving tomorrow afternoon and will hopefully be back Monday. By then I should have all the parts so that I can finish the transmission lines & then get the STaK's shifter hooked back up & then install the front driveshaft so I can have it in place as I build the exhaust.

I'm shooting for the end of the month to be driving it again.

Rick, you got a lot of things ticked off the list. Give that motor a quick fire up to see what's what!