1 Ton YJ Crawler build

[ryan]

Goatbuilt setup. Gets things up and out of the way of my suspension links

 

[ryan]

My thermostat housing finally showed up, so now the engine is as together as it's going to be for a bit. Headers are bolted on, everything below the intake is set up more or less. Will need to double check everything and make sure I caught all the sensors on the motor that needed to be replaced, but I'm reasonably happy right now with where it sits

edit - I had to move the dipstick around all over the place and trim it to clear the coil because I couldn't find the flexible dipstick I had around from my buggy. After finishing it up I of course found the other dipstick yesterday looking for my fuel line removal tools

 

[ryan]

Have the old motor and tranny almost ready to come out, need to unbolt the transfer case, pull the cooler lines and shift linkage, and then I think the old driveline is ready to come out. Need to decide how to store it, no clue what the value of a 4.0 with 300k on it is other than scrap. Might just sell my hydro assist stuff and the new alternator that's on there, but dunno what I really want do to yet

 

[ryan]

Got the Atlas out yesterday and took some time to clean the garage up. Transmission is ready to go as well, going to try and sell some parts before I get the new transmission to defray the cost a bit. Trying to keep an eye out for the Goatbuilt and Holley black friday sales and then get those orders in. Just some slow and steady progress. Motor mounts came in, and I'm planning on reusing my transmission crossmember, we'll see how much difference in length it all comes out to be.

 

[ryan]

holley's sale is up and running so i guess i should get that order in. Most expensive part of this whole thing

 

[ryan]

Motor is out!

Next up is cutting out the old motor mounts and transfer case tube. Going to pressure wash the grim out of this thing too and start getting everything ready for the new motor while I look for a transmission. Trying to sell off some of the crap I have around first

 

[ryan]

Finished getting the old mounts ground out. Sparks are fun but it's such tedious work. I think I'm going to clean up the paint on the frame a bit, give it another coat of paint. Inside of the body near the drivers side mount is pretty rough, but the rust looks structural so I'm not going crazy on that

Need to find someone to weld these in. Actually broke out the corded grinder, forgot how much better it is for any serious work vs the cordless.

Biggest issue for me right now is where do I want to spend the money compared to how much work I want to get done. Do I wait for the transmission before I put the motor in? Probably will make life easier if I do, but I could also drop the motor in and start getting everything hooked up while I save up a little cash for the transmission. Money is annoying

 

[Shran]

You are making me think that I need to LS swap my YJ!!!

 

[ryan]

You are making me think that I need to LS swap my YJ!!!

Hope I get it running! It's been fun so far, but nothing difficult yet

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You are making me think that I need to LS swap my YJ!!!

Its so easy Ryan can maybe do it!

(the jury is officially still out)

 

[ryan]

Its so easy Ryan can maybe do it!

(the jury is officially still out)

VERY out on this one. Was looking at wiring yesterday and dreading life, even with the stand alone harness.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

VERY out on this one. Was looking at wiring yesterday and dreading life, even with the stand alone harness.

Ah yes, the 80/20 rule enters the chat...

 

[Curious Hound]

VERY out on this one. Was looking at wiring yesterday and dreading life, even with the stand alone harness.

It's just wires. You got it.

Nattery positive connects to everything and all the other things connect to battery negative. Whatever is leftover connects to the ecu.