Builds The Mule: My OM617 swap and other improvements (1 Viewer)

[franklin40]

I wonder if I should consider swapping my 4:56 gears in and put 4:11s back in the fj62. I have the later nv4500 so I think that's the 5:1 first gear so I may benefit from that. I'll have lots of power but dont really see myself travelling more than 100-110 km/hr much. the 40 just isn't designed to go that fast but I'd like to make use of the OD. youve given me more to think about now.

 

[cruisermatt]

If there was an easy way to put an NV4500 behind a 1F/2F/3FE I would do it in a heartbeat.

Hell I still might pick one up and see about making some custom parts.

EDIT: it's not as hard as I previously though, the hunt is on!

 

[DPV7070]

So, I've got a weird electrical issue going on with my headlights. All parking lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazards work; but, I don't have any headlights. I'm getting good voltage at the headlight plugs. I tried new headlamps, all fuses are good, checked connections--nothing.

What's weird about it is that when I turn my headlights on, my turn signal lamps turn on and stay on--no flashing. When I do use my turn signals, I get a strong light on the desired side, but also a weak "backfeed" on the opposite side. The element barely glows...

I'm guessing it's a bad ground that I haven't found yet, but it's bugging the heck out of me.

Anyone ever had this problem?

 

[davegonz]

Ground your light housings if you haven't done it yet.

 

[DPV7070]

So, I've grounded all the housings and still nothing. I'm really scratching my head. I have power at the 3 prong plugs, but I don't get anything with the lights. Starting to get frustrated...haha, like that's never happened before...

 

[davegonz]

Time to hit up @Coolerman for ideas.

 

[DPV7070]

So, one thing I just determined is that when I pull the headlight switch to the (full) on position, the ground wire (WB) for my turn signal indicators is hot and the power wire (GY) is working like a ground...

This is also the reason I'm getting power on the ground wire at the headlight plugs. Something is crossed somewhere. I've traced the wiring diagram and can't figure out where a ground could be energized.

Maybe @bj40green has some insight???

 

[addicted56]

Great work and I'm finally catching up after taking a couple months off from reading. Definitely going to steal some of your ideas and take some of your pointers. Love that you have all of those date points above. Please keep them coming. I'm like you and get way to far into the details. I should have left the 2F in and drove the piss out of it for the past 5 years but alas the love for the OM617 was to great. Would love to hear it with the new exhaust (I'm going for as quiet as I can get it). You are running 33" tires? I"m sure it is somewhere in your thread. Also how has the MPG's been now that you have had it long enough to probably run through a tank. I didn't see EGT/TGT's above. Do you have a thermocouple and gauge?

 

[DPV7070]

Great work and I'm finally catching up after taking a couple months off from reading. Definitely going to steal some of your ideas and take some of your pointers. Love that you have all of those date points above. Please keep them coming. I'm like you and get way to far into the details. I should have left the 2F in and drove the piss out of it for the past 5 years but alas the love for the OM617 was to great. Would love to hear it with the new exhaust (I'm going for as quiet as I can get it). You are running 33" tires? I"m sure it is somewhere in your thread. Also how has the MPG's been now that you have had it long enough to probably run through a tank. I didn't see EGT/TGT's above. Do you have a thermocouple and gauge?

I'll try to get some video of the exhaust but it's quiet, I kind of miss the turbo whistle... I haven't really been keeping up with the MPG yet, but I'm guessing it's over 20mpg. Yep, I'm running 33x10.50s. EGTs are around 800F cruising and I've seen transients up to 1100-1200F pulling the large hills on I-15 north of San Diego. I usually let off a bit when I see anything above 1000F, but I think the time limit on 1200F is about 60 seconds or so...

 

[DPV7070]

Working on gauges today. Part number for mounts: Autometer 2204

Thoughts on placement? I think I like the middle better, plus it will give the kiddos something to watch...

 

[DPV7070]

Went with the center

 

[DPV7070]

 

[DPV7070]

Got the Mule out today for a "sunday drive" up in the hills to the east of San Diego. Put about 30 miles just puttering' around.

Days like today make all the busted knuckles, sweat, cussing, etc worth it. The OM617 seems to be doing pretty good. I'm starting to keep track of MPG so for those who care I'll try to post up after my next refill.

So I don't forget:
63006mi, 15.93gal

 

[DPV7070]

By the way here's how the gauges turned out...

I used a relay to activate the LED back lights, pulled in via relay and powered by the battery, so I wouldn't add any load to the headlight circuit.

Relay is in the glovebox. Terminal is under the glovebox...

 

[davegonz]

Very nice.

 

[DPV7070]

Just a quick report...

Odometer froze up again, not sure what's up, but I don't have any MPG numbers for you. I can drive quite a ways before needing to fill up.

- I think I might have put the fuel return too close to the pickup because it seems to lope a little when it gets below a 1/4 tank. It might have something to do with how high my inline fuel filter is since it started doing it when I moved it.

- My welding on the oil pan has a slow seep

- I've got a oil leak that might be the rear main...ugh! I knew I should've replaced it when the engine was out

- I probably need to get my injectors shimmed and balanced

I've run about 4 tanks of fuel through it and everything seems to be working, except my jerry rigged headlights. She's no speed demon, but runs fine down the highway. The engine seems to be most happy at about 2500-2600RPM. I'm getting about 10.5-11PSI in that range.

 

[KillerPea]

So, one thing I just determined is that when I pull the headlight switch to the (full) on position, the ground wire (WB) for my turn signal indicators is hot and the power wire (GY) is working like a ground...

This is also the reason I'm getting power on the ground wire at the headlight plugs. Something is crossed somewhere. I've traced the wiring diagram and can't figure out where a ground could be energized.

Maybe @bj40green has some insight???

FYI....grounds always have voltage on them when they aren't grounded....it doesn't mean that any wires are shorted. As a matter of fact, if you had a true short to ground, you would blow a fuse. Clean your grounds.

 

[bj40green]

FYI....grounds always have voltage on them when they aren't grounded....it doesn't mean that any wires are shorted. As a matter of fact, if you had a true short to ground, you would blow a fuse. Clean your grounds.

Just to make it visual......
If you have a bad or no ground, you'll see voltage on the ground wire.

Rudi

 

[DTSkyCop]

Great work on your rig... You're an artist for sure!! Jealous...

 

[B613]

Hey I like that shutoff valve..... (This is Millennium falcon) The cruiser looks great! How do you like it? I finally made an account on here so I will be keeping an eye on your build!