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Greetings

M

Mr. Gutwrench

Member
Although I've lurked here on and off for awhile, I decided to join up after Googling for 5.3L tech info and RME came up with what I needed. I want to be where the tech is! :D

As far as 4x4s go my wife owns a bone stock '97 TJ with a 4 banger and five speed. I like doing the hardcore stuff with my buggy. Looking forward to interacting with you guys.

Lee
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Welcome to RME Lee! Glad we could help you with the engine tech! Are you trying to talk the wife into a 5.3 in the TJ? :greg:
 
M

Mr. Gutwrench

Member
Paul R said:
Welcome!
Let's see some pics of the buggy! :cool:
Click to expand...

Here are a couple. My first buggy build. Lots of fun.

buggybji1.jpg


buggybfi3.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
M

Mr. Gutwrench

Member
Greg said:
Welcome to RME Lee! Glad we could help you with the engine tech! Are you trying to talk the wife into a 5.3 in the TJ? :greg:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Hi Greg. The wife wants the TJ repainted and lifted so she can cruise to the mall in style, but she has also given me the permission to do the mechanicals as I see fit.;) Anyhow, at this point we're just thinking about what it will take to make the TJ a capable mall crawler and mild trail rig. The 5.3L seems like a good engine and I already have a 700R4, front D44, a 4to1 231 transfer case, and a few suspension components rounded up for the project, so there's a start. Now all I need is the motivation to get 'er done.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Mr. Gutwrench said:
Thanks for the welcome guys.

Hi Greg. The wife wants the TJ repainted and lifted so she can cruise to the mall in style, but she has also given me the permission to do the mechanicals as I see fit.;) Anyhow, at this point we're just thinking about what it will take to make the TJ a capable mall crawler and mild trail rig. The 5.3L seems like a good engine and I already have a 700R4, front D44, a 4to1 231 transfer case, and a few suspension components rounded up for the project, so there's a start. Now all I need is the motivation to get 'er done.
Click to expand...


Sweet! I was kind of kidding, but you mush have a very understanding wife!! I love how the new GM motors are built, the 5.3's and 6.0's are quite impressive IMO. If you'd like to see how a 5.3 fits under the hood of a TJ, let me know. My Jeep is currently out for work, but will be back in a couple weeks. I'm in Fruita... aren't you in GJ?
 
Herzog

Herzog

somewhat damaged
Admin
Location
Wydaho
It's a nice thing to have a rock running buggy and a good trail capable daily driver to just head out of the city and go camping in.

Very cool rig by the way. You'll have to post up some more and give us details when you have time. :cool:
 
M

Mr. Gutwrench

Member
Greg said:
Sweet! I was kind of kidding, but you mush have a very understanding wife!! I love how the new GM motors are built, the 5.3's and 6.0's are quite impressive IMO. If you'd like to see how a 5.3 fits under the hood of a TJ, let me know. My Jeep is currently out for work, but will be back in a couple weeks. I'm in Fruita... aren't you in GJ?
Click to expand...

I'd love to check out your TJ, Greg. Let me know when its around. Yes, we're in GJ. Did I meet you at a mutual friends house while he was setting up a Toyota diff?

Below is a link to some video with the buggy in it. The video was taken while in Rangely, CO. Hope you guys don't mind me plugging a CO trail system but if your into hardcore wheelin, the club there has done a great job of creating some fun stuff.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8303658570965383197&hl=en
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Mr. Gutwrench said:
I'd love to check out your TJ, Greg. Let me know when its around. Yes, we're in GJ. Did I meet you at a mutual friends house while he was setting up a Toyota diff?
Click to expand...


Ahhh, yes I didn't put 2 and 2 together! :rofl: Yeah, the Toyota is long gone & I'm wrapping up the TJ build. My Jeep should be back around EJS, we'll have to get together, perhaps with our mutual friend, for some wheelin!
 
Bart

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
Great video. Those trails look like a blast.

You prolly already know the 700r4 behind the 5.3 will require a VSS in the t-case or a manual valve body in the tranny. Or you can change the intake on the motor.
 
M

Mr. Gutwrench

Member
Bart said:
Great video. Those trails look like a blast.

You prolly already know the 700r4 behind the 5.3 will require a VSS in the t-case or a manual valve body in the tranny. Or you can change the intake on the motor.
Click to expand...

Thanks for bringing the subject up cause I don't know. I don't quite understand. It makes sense the VSS would have to be in the transfer case, but why would the 700R4 need a manual valve body? Cause there isn't a TV cable provision on the 5.3L? And what does that have to do with the VSS?

Anyhow, I want to use a transfer case I had in a TJ I once had. Its a 231J with a 4:1 and short shaft. What do I need to do to make the VSS work with the 5.3L?
 
Bart

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
Mr. Gutwrench said:
Thanks for bringing the subject up cause I don't know. I don't quite understand. It makes sense the VSS would have to be in the transfer case, but why would the 700R4 need a manual valve body? Cause there isn't a TV cable provision on the 5.3L? And what does that have to do with the VSS?

Anyhow, I want to use a transfer case I had in a TJ I once had. Its a 231J with a 4:1 and short shaft. What do I need to do to make the VSS work with the 5.3L?
Click to expand...

The newer Gen III motors and trannys (4L60E) don't have kick down cables. They use the VSS to talk to the ECM to tell it when to down shift. I'm installing a reverse manual valve body in my 700r4 which alleviates the problem. I was goint to put one in anyway, but didn't know I had to until I talked to Jim @ Jim's Performance when he did my ECM and wiring harness.

The other option is to get a throttle body intake from a Camero which has the kick down cable.
 
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