Mag's poor man 1HD-FTE dream. (6 Viewers)

[Mag71k5]

This may be one of those things that operates like Hofstadter's law. Even expecting to double your budget, you'll wind up doubling THAT budget.

Absolutely lol.

 

[Mick fte]

Alright so I've been wanting to clean up the thread and kind of do a lessons learned. So with that, here's what I've learned from the doing the swap mostly myself, what I outsourced to other people, etc.

1. Just do the damn thing, I say this because if I've been able to do it.. I know 99% of other people out there can do it also. Does it look like a monumental task at first? Sure. but all you're really doing is changing parts if anyone else elevates it up to a level higher than that, they are full of s*** and are probably trying to protect their brand.
   
   
2. A very important one for ih8mud and in general, a lot of people will say it's only worth doing if it's done perfectly. I don't see that. It's your build so do it how you want, if someone else complains or moans about it, they can pay for it.
   
   
3. Research, research, research and probably some more research... Seriously, I probably wasted 750.00-1000.00 in stuff I didn't end up needing or using. Don't assume anything will just "Fit" or "Work". Like my PDI Intercooler Kit, I ordered from Gturbo, I should've known it would be made to suite one of their turbo's so I had to screw around with a bunch of silicone amazon special piping to get it to work with my stock turbo.
   
   
4. It DOESN'T have to be a 100% frame off nut and bolt restoration for it be worth it. I'm perfectly fine with taking a stock vehicle and turning it into my custom made s***box.
   
   
5. Take your budget, whatever that number is, and double it. seriously I was super naive and figured I could do the swap for 15-20k, then I changed directions and went with a H152F. that blew up any numbers I had.
   
   
6. Wiring.... the dreaded monster that terrifies most away from FTE builds. Outsource it to MickFTE dude has been awesome to work with, solid timelines on making the loom and shipping it, sure we've had some issues with length, I need to de-pin a few wires and swap them... but his customer service and support after purchase has seriously been amazing, I think he called me at 2am his local time to work some stuff out I had questions about. There's others out there, but I don't have experience with them.
   
   
7. Don't be afraid to take risks, and do what's comfortable for you. I bought a used HDJ100 from across the pond and it worked out, a lot of people would probably say buy a long block instead, my HDJ100 was nearly the same price. Sure i got lucky, but that's what makes it risky.
   
   
8. Have fun with it, and learn... I've never swapped an engine before... made my own fuel lines, routed harnesses, troubleshooted starting issues, installed a manual transmission or clutch.... seriously the list goes on and on.

So yeah. If anyone plans on taking on an FTE swap, please reach out. I have no problems helping. If you're in the Denver Metro area, pay for the beer and I'll help you throw it in your rig.

Again so happy to deal with you it's been awesome and a pleasure.

 

[MooseMichaels]

Well, drove her an hour and about 40 miles to the exhaust shop, man. I really enjoy the power on the highway. Cruising in 5th gear between 75-80 is just really smooth. EGTs while cruising were around 700-800F, water temp around 165-170F, boost around 10-12PSI.

A JOY TO DRIVE

Insane to me that America missed out on the HD series engines.

THIS is what I'm looking to hear. Really looking forward to getting mine back on the road.

Also, appreciate your list of takeaway thoughts. It's definitely a big project, but a determined caveman can get it done with the power of MUD.

 

[pdavis49]

Love the build! Hopefully I get to bump into it around town some day!

 

[OGBeno]

Alright so I've been wanting to clean up the thread and kind of do a lessons learned. So with that, here's what I've learned from the doing the swap mostly myself, what I outsourced to other people, etc.

1. Just do the damn thing, I say this because if I've been able to do it.. I know 99% of other people out there can do it also. Does it look like a monumental task at first? Sure. but all you're really doing is changing parts if anyone else elevates it up to a level higher than that, they are full of s*** and are probably trying to protect their brand.
   
   
2. A very important one for ih8mud and in general, a lot of people will say it's only worth doing if it's done perfectly. I don't see that. It's your build so do it how you want, if someone else complains or moans about it, they can pay for it.
   
   
3. Research, research, research and probably some more research... Seriously, I probably wasted 750.00-1000.00 in stuff I didn't end up needing or using. Don't assume anything will just "Fit" or "Work". Like my PDI Intercooler Kit, I ordered from Gturbo, I should've known it would be made to suite one of their turbo's so I had to screw around with a bunch of silicone amazon special piping to get it to work with my stock turbo.
   
   
4. It DOESN'T have to be a 100% frame off nut and bolt restoration for it be worth it. I'm perfectly fine with taking a stock vehicle and turning it into my custom made s***box.
   
   
5. Take your budget, whatever that number is, and double it. seriously I was super naive and figured I could do the swap for 15-20k, then I changed directions and went with a H152F. that blew up any numbers I had.
   
   
6. Wiring.... the dreaded monster that terrifies most away from FTE builds. Outsource it to MickFTE dude has been awesome to work with, solid timelines on making the loom and shipping it, sure we've had some issues with length, I need to de-pin a few wires and swap them... but his customer service and support after purchase has seriously been amazing, I think he called me at 2am his local time to work some stuff out I had questions about. There's others out there, but I don't have experience with them.
   
   
7. Don't be afraid to take risks, and do what's comfortable for you. I bought a used HDJ100 from across the pond and it worked out, a lot of people would probably say buy a long block instead, my HDJ100 was nearly the same price. Sure i got lucky, but that's what makes it risky.
   
   
8. Have fun with it, and learn... I've never swapped an engine before... made my own fuel lines, routed harnesses, troubleshooted starting issues, installed a manual transmission or clutch.... seriously the list goes on and on.

So yeah. If anyone plans on taking on an FTE swap, please reach out. I have no problems helping. If you're in the Denver Metro area, pay for the beer and I'll help you throw it in your rig.

So, um, you aren’t really poor, are you.

 

[Mag71k5]

So, um, you aren’t really poor, are you.

I wasnt, now I am lmfao.

 

[Mag71k5]

Got all the gauges working, except fuel level, ill have to pull the carpet back up for that unfortunately, just something I forgot about.

Ill probably do it next weekend.

Cruising at a brisk 80ish..

My 1fz-fe would be SCREAMING in pain and agony.

 

[cruisermatt]

Cruising at a brisk 80ish..

I call BS becuase I heard on the internet that it's impossible to do that and have fun without spending AT LEAST $50k.

 

[Mag71k5]

I call BS becuase I heard on the internet that it's impossible to do that and have fun without spending AT LEAST $50k.

Hahahahaha, especially above sea level! We need 15k in parts alone, and another 20k in labor for it to be any better than s***.

 

[Mandrake]

So when are the compound twins going in?

 

[Mag71k5]

So when are the compound twins going in?

Another 15k, and a billet block for that. It's really not worth driving until then.

 

[Mandrake]

Another 15k, and a billet block for that. It's really not worth driving until then.

Definitely. You might as well yank the engine now for the build.

 

[Mag71k5]

Offroad maiden voyage today. Everything is working as intended.

Its fun learning to drive again with the 5speed manual, especially in the mountains.

Drove it around 150 miles today total, no hiccups. Just smooth sailing. Dropping it off tomorrow for AC lines and recharge.

I also pulled more harness into the engine bay and got all the wiring cleaned up and behind the dash.

The list of things to do are getting smaller.

AC
Fix the fuel gauge
Front and rear brakes need done
Knuckle rebuild
wheel bearings
New springs and shocks?
New HD front sway bar?

Airdown, gear up drawers and sleeping platform?

 

[MooseMichaels]

What a sick a$$ 80. Any videos on the trails?

 

[Mag71k5]

What a sick a$$ 80. Any videos on the trails?

Not really, switzerland is really just a rocky county dirt road. LOL. I am planning for long road trip in November, probably heading back to Georgia for a few weeks to visit family.

 

[bottombracket]

Awesome job. Getting ready to work on my FTE single cab 79....following your lead with one of Mick's harnesses. It's go time!

 

[shellb]

Awesome job. Getting ready to work on my FTE single cab 79....following your lead with one of Mick's harnesses. It's go time!

We should do a group order! I have the need for three double cabs and one single!

 

[Mag71k5]

We should do a group order! I have the need for three double cabs and one single!

THREE???? Save some for the rest of us,

 

[shellb]

THREE???? Save some for the rest of us,

Haha…only one is mine! I just got as many would fill up a semi truck!!

 

[Mag71k5]

Haha…only one is mine! I just got as many would fill up a semi truck!!

Haha, gotcha lol. Maybe after the dust settles on this build my next one will be a 79 series.