Builds Reconstruction after rollover - building The Champ 2. (17 Viewers)

[baldilocks]

At the end of four days off work and lots of garage time I have the engine/transmission package just about ready to drop in. I decided to bolt on absolutely every component and bit that would be less than easy to install after the engine is in the frame. I had things pretty well organized after tear down but it’s been several months, some things got moved around, and my memory was unclear on a few facts and I find the FSM rather vague at times.

One thing I’d like to note is that when you think the torque converter is fully inserted into the transmission it probably isn’t. I had the trans on and off three times before I got it right. It took a good bit of fussing back and forth before the converter was in all the way. It was 37mm from engine block trans mounting surface to the face of the starter drive gear. Once the converter was ALL the way in to the transmission it was 40mm from the bell housing face to the threaded mounting surfaces of the torque converter. That gave me 3mm of clearance between the drive gear face and torque converter face.

It’s been four days met with frustrations and struggles I wasn’t expecting since this mess was already assembled once but right now I’m feeling satisfied.

I’m very impressed with the new engine wire harness. Fit and quality are great.

It’s back to work for three days then I’ll be back at it for four more.

Merry Christmas!!

 

[Broski]

Nice work Steve

 

[FMC80]

Lots of good work going on, Steve. Glad you’re doing well and pushing to get this bad boy on the road again. What’s the ETIC?

 

[baldilocks]

Lots of good work going on, Steve. Glad you’re doing well and pushing to get this bad boy on the road again. What’s the ETIC?

I really don’t have a clue. There is too much to be done yet. It doesn’t all have to be done before I roll it out and go wheeling but still a lot to do. Maybe next fall???

 

[FMC80]

I really don’t have a clue. There is too much to be done yet. It doesn’t all have to be done before I roll it out and go wheeling but still a lot to do. Maybe next fall???

GTFOH with next fall I bet you’ll have this cruiser back on the road with 6 weeks.

 

[baldilocks]

GTFOH with next fall I bet you’ll have this cruiser back on the road with 6 weeks.

Oh yeah it will be driven much sooner but that will be after the exhaust shop finishes and only to confirm that what I’ve done so far actually works. Then I have to swap the axles and weld up the new front bumper kit The entire interior is removed except the head liner which has to come out out to be cleaned. The roof rack mount holes need to be repaired because the roof rack was damaged and shifted to one side. In order to get my rear bumper on, due to my own mods to it, the rear quarters have t be chopped off at the first body line and capped. Then the anti-rock sway bar install has to happen because with the bumper on that can’t be done, compressor install ………. Then there is all kinds of wiring to switches, compressor and one aftermarket gauge for now. I’m in no hurry because I want to enjoy this journey.

 

[Broski]

I did I miss it ?
What bumper kit did you get ?

 

[baldilocks]

I did I miss it ?
What bumper kit did you get ?

4x4Labs….. They had a Black Friday sale so I jumped on it.

 

[LC4LIFE]

Nice work, its beautiful.

 

[GW Nugget]

Labor of Love...it will all come together in due time.
Some people like the build process just as much as the traveling adventures.

 

[baldilocks]

Labor of Love...it will all come together in due time.
Some people like the build process just as much as the traveling adventures.

I find myself feeling impatient at times and reminding myself that this project gives me something that I love to do which is using tools. The trail will always be there.

 

[baldilocks]

A different angle on egr block off. I want to set it up so going back to tree hugger status is easy for who ever.

 

[baldilocks]

There doesn’t seem to be a part number serviced for the fan clutch to water pump studs. I searched it and found an old post by @cruiserdan where he gave us this stud part number. Comes up as good for Supra. Looks like they will work.

 

[JoeCova]

At the end of four days off work and lots of garage time I have the engine/transmission package just about ready to drop in. I decided to bolt on absolutely every component and bit that would be less than easy to install after the engine is in the frame. I had things pretty well organized after tear down but it’s been several months, some things got moved around, and my memory was unclear on a few facts and I find the FSM rather vague at times.

One thing I’d like to note is that when you think the torque converter is fully inserted into the transmission it probably isn’t. I had the trans on and off three times before I got it right. It took a good bit of fussing back and forth before the converter was in all the way. It was 37mm from engine block trans mounting surface to the face of the starter drive gear. Once the converter was ALL the way in to the transmission it was 40mm from the bell housing face to the threaded mounting surfaces of the torque converter. That gave me 3mm of clearance between the drive gear face and torque converter face.

It’s been four days met with frustrations and struggles I wasn’t expecting since this mess was already assembled once but right now I’m feeling satisfied.

I’m very impressed with the new engine wire harness. Fit and quality are great.

It’s back to work for three days then I’ll be back at it for four more.

Merry Christmas!! View attachment 3796556View attachment 3796558View attachment 3796559View attachment 3796560View attachment 3796561View attachment 3796555

I'm drooling over that engine harness. I need to get a 95+ just so I can get new stuff.

 

[baldilocks]

I'm drooling over that engine harness. I need to get a 95+ just so I can get new stuff.

I bought a new 93-94 harness back in 2015. Shortly thereafter it was being said that the OBD1 harness was NLA. I sold that harness to @Broski when I parted out the 93.

 

[baldilocks]

I think it’s ready to go in. I’m hesitant bc the neighbor kid has a 1992 Cummins five speed with 186k. He wants 10k for it. I’d like to drop this 80 body on the dodge frame and never look back.

 

[Broski]

View attachment 3800270View attachment 3800271View attachment 3800272View attachment 3800273I think it’s ready to go in. I’m hesitant bc the neighbor kid has a 1992 Cummins five speed with 186k. He wants 10k for it. I’d like to drop this 80 body on the dodge frame and never look back.

Calling dibs on that engine and transmission

 

[Fj80oregon]

Steve are you going to install the t case after it’s in the truck? Curious if that’s easier.

 

[baldilocks]

Steve are you going to install the t case after it’s in the truck? Curious if that’s easier.

Good question…. You either deal with an off balance load to stuff into the vehicle or choose to lay on your back to install the transfer case. The neighbor kids are off school this week so I think I’ll bolt the T-case to the transmission then open the garage door and push the 80 out the necessary distance. I figure the boys will be over to help out soon there after. If not, I’ll get through it. This happens tomorrow.

 

[80t0ylc]

View attachment 3800270View attachment 3800271View attachment 3800272View attachment 3800273I think it’s ready to go in. I’m hesitant bc the neighbor kid has a 1992 Cummins five speed with 186k. He wants 10k for it. I’d like to drop this 80 body on the dodge frame and never look back.

IIRC, Dodge frames & suspensions of that timeframe, on their pkups, were inferior to Ford & GM, so you might live to regret that decision. Might be better to just swap engine, tranny and xfer. Or continue your original project.