Builds Bluebonnet - 5.3/H55 FJ40 (1 Viewer)

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Got back from Texas A&M orientation camp and had 2 days or so to work on the truck before SAS. Crossing small items off the list:

- Starter
-Tom Woods Driveshafts
-Final trans x-member burn in
-Rear Hatch Mechanism Refurb w new t-handle and outer handle
-Fan Shroud Epoxied
-New Rear Tire Carrier Hardware welded in

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Those new driveshafts sure are purty!

And that custom fan shroud; solid work.
 
Got back from SAS 5 recently. It was awesome to put faces to names and check out everyone’s rigs.

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Started working on the in tank pump setup, went with a PA series pump kit from Mosley Motors. Went in pretty seamlessly except for the recess the factory vent tube has on the tank. I cut the tube and recessed areas around the tube and welded in two flush pieces of metal to create a proper seal when the gasket goes in.

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Was planning on going with a 4Plus battery relocation tray but it still needed some modification to work with this setup. Built this custom mount using the shock tower and 2 support legs, should be plenty sturdy.

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In tank pump is in and sealed with gasket cement.

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Got a set of custom power steering hoses made at my local hose fast to adapt the gm ps pump to the fj60 inverted flare fittings.

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Finalized my cold air intake routing and secured it with a T bolt clamp and clamp bracket from Amazon.

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Was my first time working with AN fittings and hose for the fuel feed and return lines. Was fairly easy just make sure you get a clean hose cut to slip your fittings on.

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Ran all new grounds and battery cable. Powered up the lights and most of the rear harness connections had no power. Found a thread from Coolerman discussing how the factory harness needs to be amended by splicing the green power wire to your accessories. Pulled the rear harness, spliced and reloomed it and we have lights! These are all LED bulb upgrades too, should be plenty safe.

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Got my new Champion radiator in and planned the lower rad hose routing. Clearance was tight but ended up using portions of these two hoses with 1/2” barb couplers to fit the bill. Gates 23363 and Gates 23271.

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Fabbed a new rad core support bracket to the battery tray as well.

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Keep it up padawan :cool:
 
For the upper rad hose I ran a Gates 23363 and Gates 23271 with a intake vent hose connection to the block.

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Mounted my ecu in the glovebox and ran my harness connections to the LS. Sensor plug ins were fairly straightforward except for a few plug types that didn’t match up to the Holley Harness. Ordered those up on Amazon and loomed the major Holley harness bundles the chassis harness up.

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Topped up the fluids and had small coolant leak from the intake vent tube at the block. Tightened up the hose clamp and she’s leak free! :cool:

Rechecked all my Holley connections and went to dump some gas in the tank. Poured a few gallons in and no leaks. Then she started dripping. Tightened up the drain bolt and the dripping stopped. Kept pouring and fuel started pouring down my frame rail onto the shop floor :confused:

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Pulled the tank and found the problem spot. Took it to a radiator repair shop to get it patched up today but they said it was no good. CCOT is like 10 min from my house so bought a new repro tank. Need to reinstall my in tank pump ring and gasket before firing her up.

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Thanks bro! If that low mileage ZL1 engine is taking up too much space at your new shop you can drop it off at my place I’ll get rid of it for ya :rofl:

Drive it with the basic 5.3 for a year and see if you don't end up wrapped around a tree first. Lol
 
Great progress and work! You are making me feel lazy.
 
Great progress and work! You are making me feel lazy.

Thanks man was trying to keep the pace up to get this thing up to college with me this year. Gave it my best but looks like I’ll take dad’s 80 series up instead. Progress on this build will definitely slow down due to my education taking priority. Hope your knee recovery is going well. Hope to see you driving that sweet SWB 45 up at SAS6.
 
With @SipLife getting his feet wet at college, I am assisting finishing up the loose ends. New tank ready for in tank pump. New booster and master cylinder. Sucks to cut up a brand new tank. Got to do it.

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Got some tools😁. Cleaner cuts. Need to make same flat pieces to overcome trenched area next. Then weld/ grind flush. Cut the vent tube off before using the 41/2” hole saw!

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College is going to be a blast, @SipLife. Enjoy it! The 40 is looking good, it will be a lot of fun when it's driving.
 
Test fit. Next weld ring in. Will clean up welds, add fuel rated epoxy as added measure. Paint.

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Looking great.

Just curious regarding the fuel lines. If you're using lines not compatible with ethanol, keep an eye on it as ethanol will break down the lines eventually, and you'll have a fuel smell permeating thru the lines.
 
We are using Ethanol rated fuel lines. Steel braided with 6AN fittings.
 
New CCOT tank put in. Bled brake master and clutch master. Strapped tank in. Built reupholstered seats to install. Added closed cell expandable foam to trans tunnel and put in with boots. Thought of cleaning the trans tunnel before placing the foam but left it as added rust protection in case water decides to make its way there😁.

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I think we used BTB product. AA ones are similar.
 

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