No joke it squeals the belt.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Been a while since I posted up. After BB I didn’t do much with the truck. And it sat for the most part until the new year when I took it out for a “snow” run that turned into all the mud everywhere all time for miles. 
Took two sessions at the car wash to get it mostly blue again and something in my ignition didn’t like all the water. Left me on the side of the road with no spark
Drug it home and side lined it for a bit. Between dogs medical needs, work, and kids schedules fixing it wasn’t that high of a priority.
Took two sessions at the car wash to get it mostly blue again and something in my ignition didn’t like all the water. Left me on the side of the road with no spark
Drug it home and side lined it for a bit. Between dogs medical needs, work, and kids schedules fixing it wasn’t that high of a priority.
I ordered a new ecm from Fitech and going to do a tune up. The truck starts and drives but I just don’t trust it right now.
The Fitech had been great but since I ran the tank dry it’s left me hesitant.
I hope the new ecm works better.
With that said I am planning to wheel this year and so the work must go on.
A bit of time has passed since I talked with Shane from Four By Design and he had sent me a beta bumper kit to figure out on a first Gen. Now I’m in the process of replacing my current bumper and tire carrier with something better.
First I needed to get the truck and some tube over to @ashman s
The Fitech had been great but since I ran the tank dry it’s left me hesitant.
I hope the new ecm works better.
With that said I am planning to wheel this year and so the work must go on.
A bit of time has passed since I talked with Shane from Four By Design and he had sent me a beta bumper kit to figure out on a first Gen. Now I’m in the process of replacing my current bumper and tire carrier with something better.
First I needed to get the truck and some tube over to @ashman s
Bumper is coming along and looking good.
Love how solid this design is.
Once I had the truck home I didn’t like for the main bar was lined up so I cut the tacks and repositioned it. After that I needed to make the bottom bar, so set up the Affordable bender and put about 20* on tube. That looked good and got it tacked on.
Coping both sides to be even took some time.
Moved on the adding the ribs and welding it together.
Next I’m adding some more tube and side frame support.
Love how solid this design is.
Once I had the truck home I didn’t like for the main bar was lined up so I cut the tacks and repositioned it. After that I needed to make the bottom bar, so set up the Affordable bender and put about 20* on tube. That looked good and got it tacked on.
Coping both sides to be even took some time.
Moved on the adding the ribs and welding it together.
Next I’m adding some more tube and side frame support.
Didn’t get a ton done yesterday, but for a test fit, it’s almost perfect
Might get a little grief for this but I decided to trim the rear lower quarter for a little better clearance.
I then wanted more support out on the sides so another tube was added.
I then wanted more support out on the sides so another tube was added.
You sir are a heathen, unworthy of owning a 1st gen!!
Also, I have your bender... how did you bend those lower tubes?!?
Look a few posts above. I brought it home and pumped away on some tube
So much welding, but it’s pretty much done.
focused my time of finishing things before the rubicon trip but now I can catch up on some of the projects here.
First bumper wrap up.
Added side supports and capped the ends of the tubes. After that it got a few coats of rustoleum gloss black
First bumper wrap up.
Added side supports and capped the ends of the tubes. After that it got a few coats of rustoleum gloss black
Last edited:
After the bumper was done I wanted to fix the issues I had with my Fitech.
If you remember, last year I ran the tank dry, overheated the fuel pump, and blew the internal relay in the Fitech. They sell a replacement ecu and have upgraded to an external relay and fuse block that’s serviceable.
Since I had that off I decided it was a good time to pop the intake manifold and reseal it as it had a small leak.
After cleaning everything up I reinstalled the intake and throttle body. A new water neck with ports for both temp sensors was added.
If you remember, last year I ran the tank dry, overheated the fuel pump, and blew the internal relay in the Fitech. They sell a replacement ecu and have upgraded to an external relay and fuse block that’s serviceable.
Since I had that off I decided it was a good time to pop the intake manifold and reseal it as it had a small leak.
After cleaning everything up I reinstalled the intake and throttle body. A new water neck with ports for both temp sensors was added.
While the silicone was drying I pulled my exhaust and had @Chevman88 blast my headers to clean them up.
I got them back, cleaned, and prepped for header wrap. Swapped the O2 bung onto the drivers side header and welded Vbands on.
You can see the welds on the Vband are less than great. I kept running into low voltage coming out of the outlets in my house. Not sure how to fix that as it happened in multiple locations.
I got them back, cleaned, and prepped for header wrap. Swapped the O2 bung onto the drivers side header and welded Vbands on.
You can see the welds on the Vband are less than great. I kept running into low voltage coming out of the outlets in my house. Not sure how to fix that as it happened in multiple locations.
With the headers cleaned up, I painted them with some black vht paint. I got creative and put some heat to them for the curing.
Using a laser thermometer I was able to get the tubes up to 400*
It’s not the same as an oven but I didn’t get permission to take car parts into the kitchen.
Wrapped with some titanium wrap. My truck has always seemed to get a bit heat soaked and I’m sure the headers are a big contributor to that. So this was an effort to help get some heat out of the engine bay.
Using a laser thermometer I was able to get the tubes up to 400*
It’s not the same as an oven but I didn’t get permission to take car parts into the kitchen.
Wrapped with some titanium wrap. My truck has always seemed to get a bit heat soaked and I’m sure the headers are a big contributor to that. So this was an effort to help get some heat out of the engine bay.
good idea using the heat gun.
I've had that same wrap on my exhaust pipes by the transmission for 5 or 6 years and it's holding up pretty well.
Once the headers were done, they got installed and the rest of the exhaust was mocked up.
I decided to ditch the flow masters and crush bent piping in favor for some Vibrant ultra quiets and new mandrel bent pipes.
Added flex pipe to both sides just after the header to help with expansion and chassis twist.
I decided to ditch the flow masters and crush bent piping in favor for some Vibrant ultra quiets and new mandrel bent pipes.
Added flex pipe to both sides just after the header to help with expansion and chassis twist.
New exhaust fabbed and mounted up.
I went to start the truck after installing the intake, fitech, and exhaust but it wouldn’t fire. Upon inspection I had a fuel leak on the divers side fuel rail. Apparently I tore an oring when i replaced the ecu.
Without an actual application to search off I headed to the parts store and stumped the kid at the parts counter. No make or model..
So I had him just grab the different packs they had and luckily they had a set for Gen 3 LS engines that fit perfect.
Made sure to lube the orings with some oil before reinstalling.
I went to start the truck after installing the intake, fitech, and exhaust but it wouldn’t fire. Upon inspection I had a fuel leak on the divers side fuel rail. Apparently I tore an oring when i replaced the ecu.
Without an actual application to search off I headed to the parts store and stumped the kid at the parts counter. No make or model..
So I had him just grab the different packs they had and luckily they had a set for Gen 3 LS engines that fit perfect.
Made sure to lube the orings with some oil before reinstalling.
Official request for video with new WOOPOW sounds. 
Having been on the trail with you I find the name "ultra quiet" interesting....
I didn’t come up with the name but l do like how they shape the noise.Having been on the trail with you I find the name "ultra quiet" interesting....
