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My YJ LT1 build

423K views 1K replies 227 participants last post by  TxTJ32 
#1 · (Edited)
Hello all,

Buying my second YJ Thursday, my first was a brand new 94' 4.0, did a few mods on it, then sold it in 2000 in mint condition w/36k on the odometer (Had company truck). I sold it for a 96' Grand Cherokee 4x4 to impress a girl, who I later married, figured zip up windows wouldn't work. I kick myself the a$$ every time I see a YJ for getting rid of it.

Fast forward to present day, married 7 years with 2 small kids, 2 small dogs and 2 vette's. One is a 73' roadster which I restored mostly myself. I couldn't have done it without the help of a corvette forum, the assistance I received was invaluable.

I recently found an 87' YJ sitting behind a storage facility in fairly decent condition, has hardtop and doors and half steel doors, no soft top or engine. I tracked down the owner and convinced him to sell it for $1000.

I plan to make a daily driver out of it, but I'm going to start from the frame up, from there I’m still up in the air....back with a 4.0 inline 6, or small V8. Would a small V8 be practicable for an everyday driver? I don't plan on heavy offroading, mild at best (getting too old).

I’m looking forward to pestering everybody on this forum for information as my build progresses, as you can tell, I’m very long winded….

Thanks and apologies in advance :cheers2:,

Rick
 
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#187 ·
Thanks....98% of the work was done elsewhere thou. Good news on the steering, looking at another early YJ, I have about 1/2 clearance.....beeter than zero.:cool:

Rick
 
#188 ·
If you do have clearance issues, you can run the brackets and accessories from a Camaro/TransAm as they are on the pass side. It would be to bad as you have done so much to make those look better than new!
 
#189 ·
Got a liittle more done, fuel systems and some of the brake lines....







 
#191 ·
What about moving the angle of the engine/trans and trans case down towards the back more to help with the angle to the rear axle. Naturally this means moving things as needed but since you dont have a mechanical fan it shouldnt be as much an issue to do this. Sorry just thinking out loud.
 
#192 ·
Who can answer this question? I was researching getting the LT1's PCM reprogrammed and found there are different opinions on where the VSS should be located. One source states between the tranny and the T-case, others state the output of the Tcase is fine…..Who is correct?

I’m running a 96 LT1 with its mated 4L60e transmission, and a Chevy NP241C manual T-case. The NP241c has the vss sensor on the SYE housing.

Help !! :confused:

Thanks,
Rick
 
#193 ·
Who can answer this question? I was researching getting the LT1's PCM reprogrammed and found there are different opinions on where the VSS should be located. One source states between the tranny and the T-case, others state the output of the Tcase is fine…..Who is correct?

I'm running a 96 LT1 with its mated 4L60e transmission, and a Chevy NP241C manual T-case. The NP241c has the vss sensor on the SYE housing.

Help !! :confused:

Thanks,
Rick
For the LS series, it depends on the programming. The factory setup had a 4 low switch that triggered the computer when the TCase was in lower gearing. Therefore the VSS was in the TCase. But for the 2wd tunes, the VSS usually goes in the trans tail housing and the 4Low is programmed out. Most of the adapters out there expect a 2wd tune. Im going to run a toggle switch for 4 low.

BTW, all that work and why the cradle mount?? Oh and Ill be watching for what you are doing for a radiator. Im plumbing my LS swap this week.
 
#194 ·
Still not sure what needs to happen. I'm running a 96 Corvette LT1 with its mated 4l60e tranny and a NP241c. Also using the corvette harness and PCM. Will the PCM reprogram relocating the VSS from the tranny tail shaft to the 241c output shaft?

 
#196 ·
Like I said, the Gen 3 computers have a 4wd and a 2wd tune. The 4wd tune has the VSS in the Tcase along with a switch that indicates 4low and a different final drive ratio. The 2wd has the VSS in the trans tailhousing. Certain portions of the tune don't "care" where its at, and others part do. But you are dealing with an LT1 so it may be different.

IE The speedo and shift points can be WAY off if you have a 4wd tune and the VSS in the tcase, but no 4 low switch.


You may want to check the LT1 thread that was started over on pirate. Or the 5.3 thread. Both have tons of good info in them and lots of knowledge.
 
#200 ·
A lot of guys have built custom roll cages that way - I say do it. I also like the obligatory beer in the background of some of you pics and think that you should strive to keep that trend going in every photo!

Jeepsterjc - I liked my garage until you had to add that link. thanks a lot, now my garage really sucks. Nice work!
 
#201 ·
I'd love to have that lift........

Won't leak my plans for the "beer"

Jeepsterjc, here the link for the steering shaft

Jeep Steering

Rick
 
#205 ·
Hey Rick,

Thanks for the email. Checking in to follow your build.

Andy
Andy,

Thank you for the quick response, looks like I'm drilling the VSS into the tail of the tranny.

Rick
 
#206 ·
Has any one used an add on VSS with the 2 piece reluctor ring, I trying to find the dimensions on them, I hove have 1 inch clearance on the flat surface below.



Also, Can someone verify the circled area under the drivers seat is supposed to be flat, it's hard to see in the picture, but its raised and **** eyed, passenger side is noted with the arrow is mostly flat.



Rick
 
#207 ·
Wow, the censors got me on ****eyed, howabout I use kaddywhompis?

Reminds me that yesterday, at our local grocery store, I was in a log jamb near the milk section (no foolin) when I was confronted with a rather large hearted woman wearing nowhere nearly enough concealment. I might have stared a little longer than I should, when she said "It's not nice to stare" Of course, I was ready to get the heck out of dodge when the guy behind me stated "Then you should cover them up"

I turned around and saw a man in black with white tabbed collar, both of us scattered away in a hurry......:laugh:
 
#208 ·
Ordered the VSS kit from Novak, should be here by the weekend.

Since I'm waiting, I played with the tub a little, pulled what little parts that were remaining, including the rear wheel well liners, they are pretty torn up, Is there an aftermarket replacement? or do most just run without them? I can imagine the stealership would want an arm, leg and a left something for them.

Does not seem to be much need for them other than sealing the rear tail light area. which looks fairly simple to do..

Rick
 
#209 ·
Wow, that looks really good so far. It's making me want to get a CJ or YJ and completely tear it down and build it back up even more now. Kinda hard to do that now though being 20 yrs old in college, living at home, and just trying to build up my XJ when I can.

Good luck on your project man :thumbsup:
 
#213 ·
Thanks,

Check his awesome build at:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f12/87-yj-build-thread-698685/

Got the VSS in today from Novak, waiting on them to send the instructions, don't want to drill a hole in the tranny not knowing what the hell i'm doing..



Might get to install it over the weekend, scheduled some vacation next week hopfully to get some work done on the build.

Rick
 
#214 ·
Got the instructions from Novak, taking it to a buddy to install, not comfortable drilling a hole in the tranny myself.

Restored the rear wiring harness and power washed the underside of the tub.

 
#216 ·
I hope so, so far the "extra" bolt issue has not been seen, how would like some good Texas BBQ and better cold Texas beer? :cheers2:

Rick
 
#217 ·
:drool::drool: Jeep Porn. Gotta love it. When your done you should role this up too SEMA.
 
#218 ·
Nobody get excited, this is just a test hood.............

I can set the depth or rise anyway I like, It would be a functional shaker









Rick
 
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