I wasn't part of the engine selection committee so I don't know, this one came to me with the engine, transmission and transfer case already installed. It is running the 97' T-Case not a 60 T-Case.
97 LX gets a v8 and more!
- Thread starter SNLC
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Can't wait to see the results. Currently looking for a donor truck or van with the LQ9 to swap into my '91 FJ80. Was just talking to a buddy that owns a mechanic shop in town, he's only replaced one LQ motor. Regularly services fleet vehicles and work trucks/vans with that motor, regularly sees them with 300K+.
Well, after 4 ½ weeks of waiting the custom Griffin aluminum radiator arrived. While I wasn’t real thrilled that the box somehow got busted open in shipping, I was happy to see that there was zero damage to this piece of art. The welds on this radiator are absolutely gorgeous and everything is just as I specified. I have to give a big shout out to Stan for getting with Griffin and making this order as smooth as glass! I call Michelle at Griffin and told her what I wanted, when I first spoke to her I told her I needed a radiator for a 1997 Cruiser and she stated that they didn’t have one, so I got a hold of Stan and he called and spoke to Griffin and we got it worked out, apparently Griffin only shows this fitting 1991 to 1993 Cruisers, but we all know that they are all the same mounting so the earlier will bolt right in. Michelle sent me over a drawing of the radiator and I made the custom adjustments I wanted made and with a heavy hit to the build budget the radiator was into production.
Now, I ordered this with upgraded twin 12” Spal electric fans and the shroud from Griffin, it is my opinion that properly tuned and matched electric fans and radiator will be more than adequate to keep this brand new engine running cool. In my experience electric fans work very well, I believe that all the bad things people have experienced are because they are using subpar equipment coupled with inadequate radiators and they don’t tune the fans to work with the engine.
One other thing to mention is Griffin does not make provisions for a transmission cooler that is integrated into the radiator, with that in mind we added a Derale cooler with built in fan and shroud that is thermostatically controlled. We will be able to keep an eye on the transmission temps through the Scanguage that will be installed later.
If you are going as far as putting in a very expensive, brand new engine, please don’t scrimp on keeping it cool.
The box as it arrived at my house.
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5011.jpg.html]
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5015.jpg.html]
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Now for the pretty parts!
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5016.jpg.html]
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5017.jpg.html]
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5021.jpg.html]
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These vents allow the air to flow through the radiator at highway speeds, the fans will be programed to shut off at 50 mph.
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5018.jpg.html]
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About 5 ½” thick with the fans
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5020.jpg.html]
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The core is 3” thick.
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5023.jpg.html]
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Now it’s time to get this beauty installed and get this baby fired up![/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]
Now, I ordered this with upgraded twin 12” Spal electric fans and the shroud from Griffin, it is my opinion that properly tuned and matched electric fans and radiator will be more than adequate to keep this brand new engine running cool. In my experience electric fans work very well, I believe that all the bad things people have experienced are because they are using subpar equipment coupled with inadequate radiators and they don’t tune the fans to work with the engine.
One other thing to mention is Griffin does not make provisions for a transmission cooler that is integrated into the radiator, with that in mind we added a Derale cooler with built in fan and shroud that is thermostatically controlled. We will be able to keep an eye on the transmission temps through the Scanguage that will be installed later.
If you are going as far as putting in a very expensive, brand new engine, please don’t scrimp on keeping it cool.
The box as it arrived at my house.
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5011.jpg.html]
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5015.jpg.html]
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Now for the pretty parts!
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5016.jpg.html]
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5017.jpg.html]
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[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5021.jpg.html]
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These vents allow the air to flow through the radiator at highway speeds, the fans will be programed to shut off at 50 mph.
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5018.jpg.html]
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About 5 ½” thick with the fans
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5020.jpg.html]
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The core is 3” thick.
[URL=http://s1170.photobucket.com/user/jasondginn/media/Peters%20Cruiser/IMG_5023.jpg.html]
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Now it’s time to get this beauty installed and get this baby fired up![/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]
bloc
SILVER Star
Pics/link of the trans cooler and mounting?
I may do similar and put the engine oil cooler where the factory air/fluid transmission cooler is..
I may do similar and put the engine oil cooler where the factory air/fluid transmission cooler is..
It's a Derale fluid cooler with built in fan, shroud and thermostat, I mounted where the stock spare tire goes since there isn't enough room up front and it doesn't need to be in direct air flow. I'll see if I can get some pictures.
Please do, as ive been thinking of doing yhe exact same thing
Sorry I didn't get back to you, its a Derale cooler part # DER-13960 that I ordered from Sumitt. As you can see I used some angle iron that I bolted to the stock spare tire carrier and ran the lines back to it. I used real good cloth braided hose that was $10/ft, wasn't cheap but should work well.
Josh is amazing!!!! Hes the one who built my harness and specd out my cam!
Yep, He is one of the best in the business in my opinion. There is a huge difference between wiring and PROFESSIONAL wiring, to me it is one of the many things that makes a swap professional and complete.
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Just got the truck back from the exhaust shop, I got first drive in it!! It is super radical!! Wiring pretty much all done too. Few little things to deal with to wrap this project up, 35" BFG KO2s going on it next week.
Cheers
Wow, would love to hear the ballpark cost of this swap...
Nice and clean!
Nice and clean!
If you wanted to duplicate this swap you can figure ball park $30K. Keep in mind everything is brand new, not a single part was sourced from a recycle yard and only quality components were used.
That's consistent with the number I've gotten from two different shops. I'm hoping that I can make it happen next year.
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Upgrades, upgrades and more upgrades!!
The v8 LX is getting a Warn 9.5xps winch,National Luna x2 battery kit, Ridged Industries 14" light bar and x2 Oddyssey 1750 batteries! Oh ya and it got BFG KO2's today in 315's.
Oh ya and even with 400hp mpg is better!!
Cheers
The v8 LX is getting a Warn 9.5xps winch,National Luna x2 battery kit, Ridged Industries 14" light bar and x2 Oddyssey 1750 batteries! Oh ya and it got BFG KO2's today in 315's.
Oh ya and even with 400hp mpg is better!!
Cheers
Bama4door
Supporting Vendor
Wow clean install and clean LX! Do you have a body lift, the front Slee looks to hang down a tad from the body.
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Yes 1.25" body lift. Bumpers are getting customized to raise them up. Oh ya and hammock poles are being added to the bumpers as well!
Cheers
Did you ever figure out the weight of the new powertrain vs the old?
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Just got the v8 LX tuned this afternoon and holy crap what a difference it made! The truck runs good and proper now!
Still some thing to work out but man I can't get enough of this truck, I am super jealous of my buddy who owns it. For me this is just about as good as it gets!
Cheers
Still some thing to work out but man I can't get enough of this truck, I am super jealous of my buddy who owns it. For me this is just about as good as it gets!
Cheers
