Project "Thunderstruck" - KJWildman's never-ending V8 swap

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sun May 15, 2011 4:16 pm

Daaaannnng!!! I'm gonna have to go grocery shopping more often!! :shock:

Looked in the Jeep when I got back (hadn't even been on here yet to get the message! :!:

)and there was stuff waiting for me on my front seat!! :BANANA:

Got enough here now to make the shift boot for the new shifter!! ooooooooooooh leeeeeeaaaaaaaatherrrrrrrr :BANANA:

And do the door panels ..... maybe part of the dash .... :shock:

THANKS HART!!!! :BANANA:

BugginKJ · **Joined:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 7:35 pm **Posts:** 4576

No problem :wink:

mtn_goat · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 2:44 pm

Looking awesome KJWildman :jester:

Can't wait to see it completed!!

KJWildman · **Posted:** Mon May 30, 2011 11:15 pm

Started wiring on the dash cluster this weekend

also started getting measurements and testing pattern for a shifter boot

also ..... Hmmmmmmmm ........ :?:

stumpjumper_09 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:48 pm

Glad to see your still working on it Larry!!! Looks great.

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 04, 2011 1:32 pm

Just finished the right (passenger) side top secret front suspension mod! :twisted:

Got the upper A-arm back on. In for a cool down, run to the carryout, then back out to do the driver's side! No .... no more pics! I posted 1 and probably already gave it away! :banghead:

Thanks for the loan of the right angle drill on a non rainy day Tom!!! :BANANA:

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 04, 2011 5:00 pm

finished up most of the driver's side this afternoon. got almost done and needed 3 arms to finish! :banghead:

maybe I'll try it again tomorrow! :JEEPIN:

Another hint? I can't help myself! :BANANA:

Put the wheels back on and the passenger side is now at 26"! :goink:

plumabob · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:19 pm **Posts:** 6

Looks like you lowered the mounting points about an 1 1/2 which would give you an increase in lift?????? :2cents:

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 9:51 pm

plumabob wrote:

Looks like you lowered the mounting points about an 1 1/2 which would gice you and increase in lift?????? :2cents:

OK ....

..... you got me! :SOMBRERO:

Yes, while I have the engine out I am doing a cradle drop! :twisted:

I contacted Marlin about his UCA drop mounts but he wouldn't sell them alone without the entire kit. So I did mine without the extra brackets by actually lowering the Upper A-arms and customizing my new trans mount. I installed the spacers and then to keep the stock geometry of the suspension within specs I had to move the mounting location of the upper arms. By using dial calipers, level and machinist square, marking carefully and then double checking everything I have accomplished it! This would really not be possible with the engine in place due to having to be so precise in the measurements and drilling of the holes and there not being a whole lot of room to lower them to begin with. Since I (we) welded new motor mounts and customized the trans mount it also made it possible to keep everything aligned as far as driveline. I am also having to REALLY open up the A-Arm pockets and weld in new bracing for the opening to allow for the extra droop. Anyone who has had problems with their arm hitting the bottom of the pockets can confirm the lack of room there. That part of the project is almost done now, so I can go ahead and continue on with the rest of the installation of the engine soon!! :BANANA:

So to sum it up, with my well used suspension, 3/8" clevis and 3/8" top plate, if I had the stock fender flares on it, my measurement is now at 26" center of hub to bottom edge of the fender flare. With MY fenders ....... I actually have 29.5" to the fender! :pepper:

Now I may have to figure out how to get another inch or two in the back!! :banghead:

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:39 pm

awesome!! when it's all buttoned up that is going to be one sick KJ. tons of lift.. 33's.. V8.. and flat flares. one sweet rig. oh yeah and check your PM's.

plumabob · **Joined:** Thu Oct 06, 2005 7:19 pm **Posts:** 6

Very cool wildman. Very anxious to see it completed but I'm guessing not as much as you are!

Keep up the great work !

Bob

KJWildman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 8:59 pm

Worked on the dash cluster again today. Mounted up the turn signal and hi beam LED's behind the stock cluster so they show thru the factory indicators, also got a few more orange LEDs so doing the overhead lights, fog lights and driving lights and the 4 lo indicator. Not doing any red idiot lights, I have gauges for oil pressure, water temp, trans temp. Going tomorrow to get the new torque converter bolts and transmission case to block bolts and I'll be ready to slide the engine in! :BANANA:

Maybe in the next week or two it will be in, then work on welding in rad mounts and engine compartment wiring.
Forward Progress!
Someday I'll finish! ... I just want it to be right!

KJWildman · **Posted:** Thu Jun 30, 2011 10:06 pm

Engine, transmission and transfer case installation is a go for Saturday July 2 from 9am until ? :BANANA:

Shouldn't take too long to get everything bolted together, hanging on the hoist then slide it in. :roll:

(have I heard that before somewhere?) It has already been fitted a few times, so not too bad. Once that's in I can discuss my ideas for radiator mounts and see how badly Tom and Hart shoot them down. :wink:

I think between the 3 of us tho' we'll come up with something and may even get it mocked up and welded! We'll see how hot and muggy it gets. 92* is the forcast for the afternoon. We'll take pics!

Jeepin_it_real · **Posted:** Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:42 am

goodluck buddy... can't wait to see it with the engine in and ready for the rad. hows electrical going?

KJWildman · **Posted:** Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:09 pm

Jeepin_it_real wrote:

goodluck buddy... can't wait to see it with the engine in and ready for the rad. hows electrical going?

Thanks for the "good luck", Jeepin! Too bad your good luck didn't work for me! :roll:

Turns out I have the wrong torque converter! :banghead:

When I picked up the trans from a guy up in Michigan he threw in a torque converter that he said is "the right one ... I think"! Well ..... I never actually double checked it myself and after measuring and checking last night I found out the bolt pattern is wrong! :banghead:

And when Hart got here this morning and we were checking other stuff he found a problem with the flex plate!!! :furious:

So.... now I'm going to have to wait a couple weeks for my first couple of paychecks from the new job to BUY a new flex plate and torque converter!! :evil:

I suppose I could go to the junkyard and probably pick them up real cheap, but with something like these I would rather have something I'm sure of so I don't have to pull it back out again in a couple hundred miles!

Back to the waiting game!

I DID start working on pulling the dash out of the interior, so at least I got something done!!

Jeepin_it_real · **Posted:** Sun Jul 03, 2011 11:21 am

oh man, i'm sorry to hear that.... that sucks about the flex plate and torque converter... any misc things that may even be easy or you were gunna wait for i'd do that way you can just button everything up as soon as u get the parts and go

VoodooMann · **Posted:** Mon Jul 04, 2011 3:58 pm

which flex plate and torque converter do you need?

I might be able to source some brand new parts for next to free.

Toyojake · **Joined:** Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:55 pm **Posts:** 7

Any updates on this? Looking forward to the end results. Wanting to drop my chevy 305 into my KJ after I finish my Z28.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jul 15, 2011 4:15 pm

Toyojake wrote:

Any updates on this? Looking forward to the end results. Wanting to drop my chevy 305 into my KJ after I finish my Z28.

Junk the 305 and go SBF
I'd say you'd have problems fitting a SBC in with the distributor and all, not that much wiggle room. SBF fits in pretty good :wink:

Going to have to wait for a while I'd say as Larry is working lots of hours and no time for anything but work/sleep/work/sleep and eating every third day! :ROTFL:

Toyojake · **Joined:** Fri Jul 15, 2011 3:55 pm **Posts:** 7

tommudd wrote:

Toyojake wrote:

Any updates on this? Looking forward to the end results. Wanting to drop my chevy 305 into my KJ after I finish my Z28.

Junk the 305 and go SBF
I'd say you'd have problems fitting a SBC in with the distributor and all, not that much wiggle room. SBF fits in pretty good :wink:

Going to have to wait for a while I'd say as Larry is working lots of hours and no time for anything but work/sleep/work/sleep and eating every third day! :ROTFL:

Fair enough, is dizzy clearance at the firewall, the only fitment issue or is there more. I know its a little 305... but I already own the complete motor and trans and would like to use them if possible.

Good luck with the rest of the build guys goin great!

Project "Thunderstruck" - KJWildman's never-ending V8 swap

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