Build Merl the Pearl Build

baldilocks · Jul 26, 2026

You can’t move the AC dryer up inbetween the battery and radiator where it was mounted in pre 94 models. I did it on the 96 I’m building. This mod is documented here on Mud.

Ecliff5 · Jul 27, 2026

Worked on the intercooler for a little bit. Got it mounted up for the most part. The bottom bracket is not centering up for me and those holes need to get drilled and rivnuted in the crossmember. Seems like the bracket holes are offset to the passenger side causing it to push towards the driver side. The long side of the bracket is on the driver side if that makes sense @Cruisers and Co how’s this looking?

The picture above is from the intercooler thread. The holes seem offset towards the driver side, long side on the passenger side.

Cruisers and Co · Jul 28, 2026

Ecliff5 said:
Worked on the intercooler for a little bit. Got it mounted up for the most part. The bottom bracket is not centering up for me and those holes need to get drilled and rivnuted in the crossmember. Seems like the bracket holes are offset to the passenger side causing it to push towards the driver side. The long side of the bracket is on the driver side if that makes sense @Cruisers and Co how’s this looking?
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The picture above is from the intercooler thread. The holes seem offset towards the driver side, long side on the passenger side.

The slots should land on the formed bump outs on that lower sheetmetal crossmember. If they don't Im wondering if that bracket got bent 180 off. Also when you have the intercooler mounted the stamped logo on the top of the logo should sit off to the passenger side of the latch mechanism.

Cruisers and Co · Jul 28, 2026

Cruisers and Co said:
The slots should land on the formed bump outs on that lower sheetmetal crossmember. If they don't Im wondering if that bracket got bent 180 off. Also when you have the intercooler mounted the stamped logo on the top of the logo should sit off to the passenger side of the latch mechanism.

Ecliff5 · Jul 28, 2026

Copy that, I have yet to pull the cardboard off so good to know on the direction. Yeah, from the looks of it the lower bracket is bent 180 out. One side is landing inside the frame rail and the other mount is landing above the frame rail. My brain won't be able to handle that haha. Might need to drill some new holes.

Ecliff5 · Jul 28, 2026

Also, is there supposed to be another mount for the bottom passenger side of the trans coolers? I have a few left over bolts from what I can tell.

Ecliff5 · Jul 31, 2026

Got the @Cruisers and Co intercooler mounted. Had to make new holes in the lower bracket, got the rivnuts in the crossmember and used an air saw to cut the big holes. Need to work out the ac dryer, trim up the grill, lower valance and start putting the front end back together. Really hope the winch clears the intercooler. Now I need the turbo parts back from coating! Getting close.

Ecliff5 · Jul 31, 2026

Put back together for now so she can be mobile until the turbo is back from coating. Will probably come back apart, got everything trimmed and fitting nicely. Will get fine tuned once it’s done.

Ecliff5 · Jul 31, 2026

Cruisers and Co · Aug 1, 2026

Ecliff5 said:
Got the @Cruisers and Co intercooler mounted. Had to make new holes in the lower bracket, got the rivnuts in the crossmember and used an air saw to cut the big holes. Need to work out the ac dryer, trim up the grill, lower valance and start putting the front end back together. Really hope the winch clears the intercooler. Now I need the turbo parts back from coating! Getting close.
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We will check all the brackets at the shop for this and get you a correct one

Ecliff5 · Aug 1, 2026

Cruisers and Co said:
We will check all the brackets at the shop for this and get you a correct one

Appreciate that!

Ecliff5 · Aug 1, 2026

Welp, the winch does not clear the intercooler. I could get crazy and have custom frame extensions made to space it out but idk if it’s worth it. Not buying anymore bumpers, they’ve gotten so expensive. Maybe a rear winch set up or warn does make a very small extreme race series winch but it’s like $5k lol. Oh well.

Cruisers and Co · Aug 1, 2026

Which bumper is that?

Ecliff5 · Aug 1, 2026

Cruisers and Co said:
Which bumper is that?

Dissent extreme clearance

Cruisers and Co · Aug 1, 2026

Ecliff5 said:
Dissent extreme clearance

Ah… we’ve not tried that one. The regular version does fit if you do swap out bumpers. So does ARB, BIO, Slee (with minor mods), and Belfab. I will rack my brain and try to come up with something. It does not look like it would be that hard to push the bumper out and weld on some 1/4” plates to relocate those holes

Also saw Ben last night back at the C&C headquarters

Ecliff5 · Aug 2, 2026

Cruisers and Co said:
Ah… we’ve not tried that one. The regular version does fit if you do swap out bumpers. So does ARB, BIO, Slee (with minor mods), and Belfab. I will rack my brain and try to come up with something. It does not look like it would be that hard to push the bumper out and weld on some 1/4” plates to relocate those holes

Also saw Ben last night back at the C&C headquarters
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Hot dawg! Now that’s a set up right there. Just missing their new Saudi spec 80. I heard that’s getting a turbo kit, maybe they can make something up if they plan on using the extreme clearance for that build. I have a buddy with a binks fab that might trade me so we’ll see. Frame plate extensions or getting an extension welded onto the bumper horns would definitely be an option. It’s not far off from clearing.