• Notice for iPhone users: DO NOT use the image size reduction option when uploading photos to the forum. This causes portrait images to post as landscape. We have added a warning to the image insert pop-up as well.

FlagJeep Build - A Rookie Build

You will want to keep the factory regulator. I would not replace it unless it is leaking.
 
So I am home with the computer now instead of using the web browser on my phone, so I think I can explain a little better.

The buick grand national fuel pump looks like a good option, it looks like it would fit in the same size hole in the fuel tank, which now has gas in it so cutting/welding is less desirable. From what I gather, a down stream fuel pressure regulator is needed. The 5.3l Vortec I have came out of an '04 GMC truck and did not come with a fuel pressure regulator. I think at that point those trucks had a pump/regulator combo setup where the regulator was not near the engine. I have an '04 Yukon and don't see a fuel regulator under the hood.

It appears that the grand national fuel pump will need a regulator that has a return line to the gas tank (I could be wrong). I have not yet figured out the fuel pressure regulator to use. Any help on that would be greatly appreciated. Would a grand national fuel pressure regulator be advisable, an adjustable regulator, something else in particular?

I appreciate the help and advise.
 
does the 04 have a single fuel line at the engine (feed line) or does it also have a return line?

if its the single line model, you can use a corvette fuel filter/regulator which has a built in return line.

if its the feed/return model, the pressure regulator is mounted on the drivers side fuel rail. (vacuum line is attached to it)

you need 55-62psi fuel pressure. I got my pump at Summit. external mount, Trick Flow. 85psi, 43gph.... $84!!!
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-25004P
 
Just remember that if you do use the Corvette filter, you will need the fuel line fittings also-
 
Got the Scrambler into a local custom exhaust shop this week, so now when I am working on engine related items it is a lot quieter for the neighbors. Also got the seats installed and a mirror installed so that loading and unloading the Jeep on a trailer was a little safer. The brakes came in handy when unloading the Jeep at the shop, stopped it about a foot from a concrete pole.

2012-05-21_08-12-40_288.jpg2012-05-20_21-43-45_475.jpg

Overall, happy with the progress I have made. Got the Jeep running, in a quiet manner, prior to the due date for my son (now a week away). The fuel pump appears from some other forums like I should be able to use a stock vortec pump/regulator. I will check that this weekend at the auto parts stores barring a trip to the hospital.

Also, got a throttle cable delivered, looks like it should work. With some wiring to the fan, an air filter assembly and mounting of the ECM, I should be able to drive around the neighborhood soon. I will have to get tires and preferably my hood up from Tucson in order to be worthy of any real street speed.

Pretty excited and glad to have made it to this point:bacon::woot:
 
So are you going to have that thing done by the end of July? I'm going to spend a few days up in and around Sedona again like last year. Maybe we can get together and hit some trails...
 
mysunnshine said:
So are you going to have that thing done by the end of July? I'm going to spend a few days up in and around Sedona again like last year. Maybe we can get together and hit some trails...
Click to expand...

I would like to have it up and running by then but we had our baby boy this week and Jeep work has halted. Also, we have a week of out of town vacation in July, so I hope to have the Jeep up and road worthy by then but I am not sure if it will be trail worthy yet at that point, but I will try.

My hood will make it home from Tucson tomorrow, so at this point I basically need to change the fuel pump, attach the throttle cable, buy an air filter set-up, get some tires/wheels and do some tidying up of mounting fuel and brake lines to frame and hooking up tail lights. Also, some stuff under the hood to mount and need to hook up my electric fan and front drive shaft.

If I am up and going, I will definitely try to meet up with you in Sedona. Thanks for the invite.
 
Great looking build. The 'Vette filter/regulator is the ticket if you don't have the rail mounted regulator. I think only Flex-Fuel 5.3's used the rail mounted regulator in '04.

As far as wheels/tires go, I think with the Bushwacker flares a set of 35" on 10" wheels would fill out the fender openings nicely. I suggest 10" wheels because with 8" the tires look too "tucked in" on the flares. I have 8" with 35" tires on mine, but I am also running a 60" wide axle. I think 33" look too small with those flares. Same lift as yours. Bunch of pics in my build thread.

Maybe I missed it- what's your gearing? I run 4.56 in mine and I am really pleased, my trans is an auto (4L60E) but the overdrive is similar.
 
Randyzzz said:
Great looking build. The 'Vette filter/regulator is the ticket if you don't have the rail mounted regulator. I think only Flex-Fuel 5.3's used the rail mounted regulator in '04.

As far as wheels/tires go, I think with the Bushwacker flares a set of 35" on 10" wheels would fill out the fender openings nicely. I suggest 10" wheels because with 8" the tires look too "tucked in" on the flares. I have 8" with 35" tires on mine, but I am also running a 60" wide axle. I think 33" look too small with those flares. Same lift as yours. Bunch of pics in my build thread.

Maybe I missed it- what's your gearing? I run 4.56 in mine and I am really pleased, my trans is an auto (4L60E) but the overdrive is similar.
Click to expand...

I had thought of going with BFG KM2 33x12.50 with a rim with 3.5" backspacing or so. My wife had been pushing for 35" tires concerned the 33" would look a little small with the lift/fender flare setup. Now you have me thinking she may have a point. I was concerned about tire clearance with some articulation? Looks like at one point you managed to get the tire into the wheel well and reform things a bit. At this point, I haven't trimmed any of the tub and plan to spray everything under the fender flares with some black bedliner to give a uniform look under the fender flare.

My wife is also pushing for a 16" (or 17" but I talked her down from that) wheel diameter. I figured with 3 3/8" backspacing this rim may do the job, haven't sold the wife on it yet though.
http://www.performance4trucks.com/W...&t_s=210&t_pt=100039&t_pl=2893&t_pn=M/T460401
My wife wants these but I think I would have to go with wheel spacers to make it work?:confused:
http://innovativediesel.com/i-1282057-motometal-series-mo951-wheel-mo9516955212-wheel-pros.html

Any and all tire/wheel ideas are appreciated. I am looking in the next week or two to pull the trigger on a full wheel/tire setup. Overall, this will be my daily driver (7 mile round trip drive for work) and a fun forest road/light/moderate trail vehicle. Put too much work into it to just destroy it I think.

On gearing, it currently has the stock 2.73 differentials. I figured with the scope creep I would experience throughout the project I would leave this until I get to my final setup then adjust the differential gearing. I am figuring something 4.XX but haven't looked closely recently, and I am sure tire diameter could impact my choice. I picked up a set of used ARB lockers (front/rear) to install when I change the gearing, so I am figuring that will happen this winter. Any thoughts here are also welcome, I was just figuring I would use a online calculator to figure out what diff gears would seem comfortable.

I am still thinking on the fuel pump/regulator setup. Having a son this week slowed that down :D

Randyzzz build is looking great. It does take some time for me to get through the 55 pages of content though
 
I like both the wheel choices. 16" or 17"...either one's good. 15" is going the way of the dinosaur.

Yeah, I got into my rear fender a bit, going to have to do some trimming. I thought the Bushwackers required fender trimming? I still think 35" would look better, but 33" might not require the trim. Keep an eye on Craigslist- there's always someone with a set of baldies that they'll sell for a few bucks. Mount a few up and see what you like best.
 
Randyzzz said:
I like both the wheel choices. 16" or 17"...either one's good. 15" is going the way of the dinosaur.

Yeah, I got into my rear fender a bit, going to have to do some trimming. I thought the Bushwackers required fender trimming? I still think 35" would look better, but 33" might not require the trim. Keep an eye on Craigslist- there's always someone with a set of baldies that they'll sell for a few bucks. Mount a few up and see what you like best.
Click to expand...


Maybe I will look for some 17" wheels with something close to what I want on backspacing. 16" rims seem like they are slimmer picking.

The Rugged Ridge Fender Flares I bought (knockoffs of the bushwackers I think) say that with 33" tires you don't have to trim the fenders, larger tires you do. http://www.jeep4x4center.com/pdf/11633.10.pdf

Any other downside to going with 35" tires? I was hoping not to cut into the body of the Scrambler, but realistically from where it started to the work put into getting it where it is now, it is not really a totally original body.
I think I have heard it may be rougher at freeway speeds. From a gearing ratio, that can be taken care of later. I think with the Warn kit on the rear the axles can handle the tires, and I upgraded to the heavy duty steering rod kit already.

Craigslist is a little trim on selection in Flagstaff, and driving to phoenix to pick up baldies would probably chew enough gas to make that not pay off too well. Will try to figure out something though.

Thanks for the feedback
 
First progress made, this weekend, post birth of my first son.

Thanks to CHIEFWAHO, I have the throttle cable installed and it should work great.

Also got the front drive shaft installed. Had it shortened this week, and thankfully it looks like it should clear the exhaust system no problem.

Finally, got the hood installed. Makes it look like a more complete Scrambler with a hood on it. Still need to add some of the hardware on the hood, and I am going with a shock hood prop kit which should be nice for working under the hood.

hood 1.jpg

Maybe next weekend the fuel pump fix next weekend and an air filter install. Still some minor wiring and mounting to take care of along that timeframe too.
 
hood lift

Glad to have my hood lift shock kit installed. This should make it nicer to work under the hood than with that prop rod.

hood prop.jpg

Hopefully the fuel system is fully operational by the end of the weekend.

Anyone use a stock air filter box from a Chevy/GMC truck for a 5.3L Vortec (or other LS series engine) install in a CJ? Not sure if there is a simple drop in solution or if a K&N type system is needed.
 
Randyzzz said:
Great looking build. The 'Vette filter/regulator is the ticket if you don't have the rail mounted regulator. I think only Flex-Fuel 5.3's used the rail mounted regulator in '04.
Click to expand...

The engine runs great (in the garage at this point). Idles nicely, revs nicely, starts nicely. Due to the newborn and time constraints, the fuel tank is still sitting on the ground feeding it but maybe by the end of the week I can drive it around in front of my house. Lots of things to tighten up yet before going any real speed.

Also need to line up an air filter setup for the 5.3L.
 
The Jeep grew a bit last night

Got the wheels and tires.

Mickey Thompson Sidebiters 15x10
BFG Mud Terrain KM2 35x12.5x15

Makes the project look a lot closer to done. I think I am happy with the wheel backspacing and how the tires align with the fender flares. I also look like I have the full range of steering with no tire rub, which is nice.

July 4 front side.jpgJuly 4 rear side.jpg
July 4th profile.jpgJuly 4th rear.jpgJuly 4th front.jpg

Once I fix my leaking proportioning valve I can get out and about a little bit with it.
 
can you please post a pic of how and where you mounted your computer?
Looks awesome!! Cant wait to roll mine out of the garage!!!
 
Computer mount

Bad Karma said:
can you please post a pic of how and where you mounted your computer?
Looks awesome!! Cant wait to roll mine out of the garage!!!
Click to expand...

With the engine conversion, the BeCool radiator I purchased has its overflow on the passenger side, so that tank is out of the way. The windshield washer fluid tank is being relocated to the firewall allowing the computer to hang on the rear side of the driver's front fender. It is not yet completely bolted down but the pics show the idea.

computer 1.jpgcomputer 2.jpg

The mount is from PSI conversions on ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-LS1-VORT...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2a1c0f186b
 
This build is awesome. Get rid of that "mechanical novice" BS.
 
DirtyB said:
This build is awesome. Get rid of that "mechanical novice" BS.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Like I said, when I started I had no idea what I was doing or what I was getting into, but it has been a great learning experience. This forum, and help from my brother-in-law, have helped significantly.
 
Nice mount! I spent the better part of a day building a mount before I was happy. Also- good move mounting the computer where it was accessible. I mounted mine up under the dash- I should say Buried, not mounted. It will take major surgery to get to it if iI need to do any reprogramming down the road.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top