Build Thread 1985 CJ7/5.3L build

[myjeepsbigger]

I'm using an Airtex E8248. You can get them at nearly any parts house. For the power steering, it's really not too tough. You have to bend the line around a little to reroute it, but the fitting is the same....since they're both Saginaw pumps.

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Figured I'd give you guys a little update. Been trying to get the cage built and have just been digging up more and more rust. I really hate sheetmetal work, so this feels like it's taking forever.

The rockers were completely gone, so they got cut out and replace with 1/8" metal. The 'rock rail' is attached to the frame with two other pieces of tubing (which also attaches the cage).

 

[wheelsdown]

Wanna build another cage just like yours!?! I am in Illinois!

Looking great!

 

[mbcj7]

Nice I just recently drug my CJ7 home from a long life sitting in a field. Working on several issues all at once right now. I have a 4.8 in my Silverado, and a 6.0 on the engine stand. If I cant figure out the deal with my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l soon, I may have to drop the 6.0 in the silvy and put the 4.8 in the jeep

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Wanna build another cage just like yours!?! I am in Illinois!

Looking great!

I wish I had time. Got too many projects lined up already.

Nice I just recently drug my CJ7 home from a long life sitting in a field. Working on several issues all at once right now. I have a 4.8 in my Silverado, and a 6.0 on the engine stand. If I cant figure out the deal with my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l soon, I may have to drop the 6.0 in the silvy and put the 4.8 in the jeep

I'd put the 6.0 in the CJ!

 

[derf]

Quick question. What did you use for your air intake elbow? I've got my 5.3 in and I'm starting to need to deal with all the little stuff like that.

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Quick question. What did you use for your air intake elbow? I've got my 5.3 in and I'm starting to need to deal with all the little stuff like that.

One of these Cobra Heads: Cobra Head Elbows: Intake Hoses, IntakeTubing, and Intake Clamps I THINK it was the 4" one, but you'll have to use one of their bushings for the MAF sensor because it's not the same o.d. as the throttle body.

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Recent pic. Haven't done much else with it this summer, and there's still a lot of body patching to do...but we did get it on the trail a bit over Memorial weekend. The black/primer is just temporary to cover the panels I've straightened & patched.

I have to say that I LOVE having the 5.3's power on tap. The trails at my farm were pretty sloppy and that engine really made a difference on hillclimbs. I know I have to get some one-piece axle shafts in it soon, or I'm going to have issues.


Bikini top my girlfriend made.

In action at my campsite at the farm.

 

[dudekcj7]

i have a couple questions what Transfer Case did you use behind the 700r4 and did you have any problems hooking the 700 to the 5.3 thanks

 

[myjeepsbigger]

i have a couple questions what Transfer Case did you use behind the 700r4 and did you have any problems hooking the 700 to the 5.3 thanks

You need the factory 6.0L center torque converter spacer and longer bolts from GM. You can search the web and find the part numbers pretty easy. The spacer will be used between the flexplate and the torque converter (to support the snout of the converter). You may also have to elongate the mounting holes in the flexplate to get the bolts into the torque converter, but it's minor.

I'm running the factory Dana 300 from the Jeep with a different input shaft from JB. JB Conversions, Inc.

 

[texanfisherman]

Finished up the engine bay this afternoon. Gotta fab up a two-piece front driveshaft, and get some mufflers on it...then on to the body work.

This is what she sounds like with open exhaust. Still had the hood off because I was trying to fine tune the TV cable.
CJ7 run 2.AVI - YouTube
CJ7 run.AVI - YouTube

Nice swap. Did you fab or buy that intake setup? Nearing the end of my swap and looking for ideas. Thanks in advance.

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Nice swap. Did you fab or buy that intake setup? Nearing the end of my swap and looking for ideas. Thanks in advance.

I put it together with parts from here: Intake Hoses, IntakeTubing, and Intake Clamps

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Guess I also need to update with my fuel pump issues. I had the E8248 pump mounted about 20 inches or so from the fuel tank pickup tube (right over the rear axle on the frame rail), and I kept burning them up. Went through 2 pumps in less than 6 months. I guess it was starving them, trying to pull the fuel up and out of the tank. They were always loud, and would get considerably louder at 1/2 tank and lower. I'd had enough.

Here's the new setup....new gauge sender and pickup. Cut a few inches off the tube so that the pump sits near the bottom of the tank. I wanted to fit up a reinforcement so the weight of the pump wasn't hanging from that hose, but there just isn't room to get anything else through the hole in the top of the CJ tank....so it is, what it is. (I do have EFI style clamps on the hose, just not when I took this pic... pickup screen not shown, either.). The pump is an Airtex E2471, with a FS175 screen. The application is a 2000 F150 V8 replacement pump. The wiring is from the same truck.

I've been running this new setup for about 500 miles or so, and it's worked great. Very quiet pump, too. Some buddies and I are going on an Ultimate Adventure style run (1000 plus miles) starting this weekend, so that should be a good test for it!!

Wish me luck.

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Well, made it through our whole UA Run without any real issues. Had to replace a rear pinion seal, but that was it. Great times, here are some shots.

















Scoping things out.

 

[myjeepsbigger]

We put over 1000 miles on the rigs, and I was pulling my Expedition Trailer from camp to camp. Ran Superlift ORV and FlatNasty in Jadwin, MO.

It didn't have any trouble running 75-80mph down the interstate.

Set up at camp in Hot Springs KOA.

 

[CJ]

Great pics! Looks like a good time!

 

[mattjp84]

Do u have any pic of the motor

 

[myjeepsbigger]

Do u have any pic of the motor

Not sure what you're asking for here....there are several engine pics on page 1 & 2 of this thread....????

 

[mattjp84]

Sorry about that im new to this form and did not see the other pages and nice swap. I am going to swap a 2000 ls1 in my CJ7 soon I am going to post pic of it win I find out how.

 

[mattjp84]

Guess I also need to update with my fuel pump issues. I had the E8248 pump mounted about 20 inches or so from the fuel tank pickup tube (right over the rear axle on the frame rail), and I kept burning them up. Went through 2 pumps in less than 6 months. I guess it was starving them, trying to pull the fuel up and out of the tank. They were always loud, and would get considerably louder at 1/2 tank and lower. I'd had enough.

Here's the new setup....new gauge sender and pickup. Cut a few inches off the tube so that the pump sits near the bottom of the tank. I wanted to fit up a reinforcement so the weight of the pump wasn't hanging from that hose, but there just isn't room to get anything else through the hole in the top of the CJ tank....so it is, what it is. (I do have EFI style clamps on the hose, just not when I took this pic... pickup screen not shown, either.). The pump is an Airtex E2471, with a FS175 screen. The application is a 2000 F150 V8 replacement pump. The wiring is from the same truck.

I've been running this new setup for about 500 miles or so, and it's worked great. Very quiet pump, too. Some buddies and I are going on an Ultimate Adventure style run (1000 plus miles) starting this weekend, so that should be a good test for it!!

Wish me luck.

Trying to find the fuel pump wire harness that u got going thru the sending unit with no luck at all do u have a part # or any think on it
is the pump still working good