Builds Project Rehab (Chopped LS Swapped 80 Series)

[White Sheep]

Almost time to put tires to asphalt. Driveshafts installed, put on jack stands and tested going through the gears.

Initial start up the steering wheel was going haywire and fuild went everywhere. I had the power steering lines crossed

Fixed and all good. Start up, reverse, stop, drive, stop, turn off. It's a little stiff going into first gear. Think I need to mess with the alignment of the shift cable.

 

[White Sheep]

Ok MUD family. Let's get the serious things out the way first. So, I haven't posted in two weeks because last week I had a heart attack. I caught it super early, called a co-worker to take me to the ER, and I was actually having a heart attack. Stayed in the hospital for about a week, and was released on Friday. I don't want this who forum to be talking about that, because this is a fun build page. I'm fine and good to go .

Ok, that's out the way. So Monday (Apr 8th) I arranged for the LC to be towed the muffler shop to get an exhaust. The tow truck came, and I was excited to drive the LC under its own steam onto the tow bed, and he tells me "put it in neutral and he'll winch it up" . The shifter is a bit tight because my shifter cable isn't 100% aligned with the shifter on the transmission. I put it in neutral, but my tires are still locked . The tow driver gets under the to watch while I shift but the shifting cable isn't moving . We manually put it into neutral, and winch it on to the tow truck.

Get to the muffler shop, tell them how ill like the exhaust routed, but allowed them to do what they thought is best. Also while they were at it, if they can look at my shift cable. Exhaust came out nice and sounds good , but the shift cable snapped in half. So bought a new cable and they aligned it perfectly to the transmission.

Don't buy your cable from Amazon. Use O'Reilly or something like that.

A moment ago, I wanted to make a video to listen to the exhaust and a quick drive up the block. Went to make a three point turn and the power steering lines exploded . . .its always something.

Any recommendations for high pressure power steering hoses? I want to think the I had was 300 psi. If 300 psi is good enough, it may of been weak from "forcing" the AN fitting on.

 

[brettk]

I’ve got the gates hose for the 1FZ on ours and it’s not caused any issues for almost 5 years now. I’d look and see if they have an option.

 

[samc2447]

If those are the cheap braided hoses you get on Amazon they will fail. Try something like this. Then you can field repair as needed. Definitely have to try extra hard to burst one of these setups.

Parker field attachable fittings

Parker hydraulic hose

 

[Ecliff5]

I had the gates high pressure hose on my previous 80, rocking a rein high pressure currently. No issues with either.
I just had my exhaust done yesterday also. Don't notice how leaky it is until its fixed!

 

[White Sheep]

Finished up the sound deadening this afternoon. Over the past week sprayed Lizard Skin sound deadening and ceramic insulation in the LC.

Then rolled on some MAT66 ProBlack car sound deadening mat.

 

[White Sheep]

Laid down some vinyl flooring and velcro'd multiple areas to keep it from moving.

Cut a bit too much around the center console, but it's good enough for government. Time to start moving on to the body.

 

[White Sheep]

Dear journal. . .why can't things be easy with the LC?

Little more tinkering this afternoon. Hopefully fixed the power steering lines but probably not. Also noticed I had a little coolant leak at the steam port on the throttle body. Tighten it up, good as new.

Turned the LC on and let her purr for a few minutes. Sounds good . Turned the steering wheel a few times and looked to see if any of the hoses blew up in my face. . . Not yet . My tach isn't working. Probably ****ed it up when I taking it apart to soldering a jumper wire (nit really worried about that at the moment. But then I started seeing some smoke from the headers. The LC hasn't really ram for more than 5 mins, so I was thinking it's some of the paint/rust burning off. Turned it off and took a closer look. . .when merring up the transmission to the engine, I may have needed to tight up a bolts a little more. It's leaking oil from the driver's side where the engine buts up to the transmission. I'll try to reach the bolts tomorrow.

 

[White Sheep]

Don't know when I'm going to get around to installing it, but I made a deal with @Yotahead52 the other week. He was looking for a t-case and I had two. So I gave him one, if he'd installing my low range 3.1:1 Sumo gears for me. He also put a new seal on for me.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Super jealous. I want the low/high range gears for my 80. It will be interesting with the 4.88 in the future.

 

[White Sheep]

Super jealous. I want the low/high range gears for my 80. It will be interesting with the 4.88 in the future.

That'll be nice. Have you already re-geared or planning to?

 

[OffRoadScott]

That'll be nice. Have you already re-geared or planning to?

I plan on doing the low/high and the 3rds at the same time. I have been trying to source the 3rds and get a transfer case to do the work and then swap them in so I have little down time.

I got in on the sale that Nitro had awhile back on the 4.88, got both for less then $200 shipped.

 

[White Sheep]

First time actually doing body, but tried to educate myself by watching YouTube. Probably a yr or so back I plugged the backing of the holes on the finders. Now sanded them with 80 grit and laid some fiberglass puddy.

I think pretty good for the first time. Very few little pinholes, but I'll be Raptor lining the LC so they'll smooth out.

I think ill do the roof tomorrow.

 

[White Sheep]

Continuing on the body I moved to the roof. Sealed off the roof rack holes and slowly smoothing out the deleted sunroof. I'll finish tomorrow and move on to the next place.

I haven't shown the exhaust yet because I wanted to do a start up video. . .but here it is.

And just to add some swag

 

[OffRoadScott]

Love the work, can't wait to see this thing overseas.

 

[White Sheep]

Love the work, can't wait to see this thing overseas.

Thanks. If everything goes well, I'll hopefully take it to a few spots in the States. AZ will be one of the stops. I'll let you know prior of course.

 

[OffRoadScott]

Definitely let me know. I would love to wheel with you.

 

[thatcabledude]

And just to add some swag
View attachment 3617344View attachment 3617345

This is how you know your project has been $$$

 

[White Sheep]

I guess this is a good stopping point. Ran out of fiberglass, more should be here in a few days.

Before:

After:

 

[White Sheep]

Also been messing around with the tray. Git some Mac's Custom tie-down rails and mocked up some rubber gym flooring. Haven't figured out yet what I want to glue the floor down with.