My Jimmy build up

[Chip Cross]

Well, I figured I would start a build thread so y'all could all tell me what I was doing wrong... I have been kicking the idea of swapping a newer style LS motor such as a 5.3 or a 6.0 into my 1976 Jimmy for about two months now.

I have a good friend that said oh heck put an 8.1 in it and that got the gears in my head turning. I like big blocks, you don't have to spin them as hard to get horsepower and torque out of them which would only make sense they will last longer then a higher rpm small block. I did some checking around and talking with Kevin and Jason at Pacific Fabrication and I found just what I was looking for.

From my understanding the 8.1 will go right back into where a 454 came from. My Jimmy had a 454 in it before I bought it from the previous owner. I picked up some new motor mounts from DIY4X for 112.00 that are a lot better then the factory junk. I also picked up a fuel pump from FLeaBay.

I might as well post a picture or two of my Jimmy that is getting the 8.1 transplanted into it.

Specs :

●Dana 60 front
●Lock Right going to replace with an ARB
●1/4 Diff Cover
●4:56 gears
●New rotors, calipers and studs
●New Wheel bearings
●King Pins reworked
●2.5 inch BDS front springs
●ORD HD grease able shackles
●ORD sway bar dico
●ORD Steering box brace

●14 Bolt rear
●Detroit locker
●4:56 gears
●1/4 Diff cover
●U joint / yoke rock guard
●Rear disc conversion
●New bearings and seals
●Shock mounts moved
●Axle perches moved
●4 inch BDS rear springs
●ORD HD grease able shackles

●Built TH400 with external cooler
●6 bolt round adapter
●6 bolt round NP 205 soon to be twin sticked
●New bearings, gaskets and seals in the NP 205
●1350 yokes on everything
●Thick wall drive shafts

●16X8 Factory Ford wheels :laughing:
Yea, I know Ford parts on a Chevy... but they make the truck look old
school with the GMC hub caps.

●Dual batteries

●Hydo boost brakes

●The inside of the tub has been Line X'ed

●3000 watt continuous 6000 watt max inverter

I am trying to make my mind up on what tires to run, I like the BFG KM2 but I also like the price and look of Pitbull Rockers. I am going to pick up some PRP seats and a Redneck ram Hydro assist from West Texas Offroad.

 

[Guate_shooter]

All I can say is this is SICK.

I had the 6.0 and it had some power I can about imagine the beast of the 8.1.

 

[CrkdLtr]

Any reason you didn't go with a diesel?

 

[Baldrik78]

That is BAMF.

 

[Chip Cross]

Any reason you didn't go with a diesel?

Because I wanted a gas burner also when you hot rod diesels they don't last long weight is another big one....

 

[dirk70301]

That will be sweet , keep us posted .

 

[jms]

I have a 8.1 Chevy in my 35 ft.class A motor home. Went to the Tenn./Ky./ Va. mountains a couple week ago. No problem with power and 7.5 mpg average using a gen. for electric power on the road. Love it.

 

[Chip Cross]

That will be sweet , keep us posted .

Will do.

I have a 8.1 Chevy in my 35 ft.class A motor home. Went to the Tenn./Ky./ Va. mountains a couple week ago. No problem with power and 7.5 mpg average using a gen. for electric power on the road. Love it.

Any idea what that thing weighs?

 

[glimmerman]

Like the hand operated SPOT LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Poopshooter]

You wanna buy some Warlock Larry Meaux heads for it?

 

[CRUE CAB]

Nice.

 

[Gus McCrae]

Sechzy.

 

[El Rubio]

I have the 8.1 in my silverado work truck. I have towed a 120kw diesel generator across the causeway and into the Gentilly area and barely noticed it back there. That thing has a lot of power but burns a little oil. It will be a quart low within 3-4k miles, but it holds something like 8 quarts. I average about 14 miles per gallon but I spend most of my driving on the highway - 75-80%. A coworker in the city averages 8mpg.

 

[slinkyonrampage]

That is going to be one badass crawler right there.

Although personally, I would have thrown a 5.9l cummins in there.

 

[Chip Cross]

That is going to be one badass crawler right there.

Although personally, I would have thrown a 5.9l cummins in there.

The 5.9 is a great motor but hhhhhhheeeaaaavvvvy ! Diesels don't last when you hot rod them is another reason. The Cummins would have been an easy swap but I would worry about it breaking the frame when it goes to bouncing around off road. A Cummins trans planted into a 94 Chevy 3/4 ton reg cab tow pig backed by a NV 4500 is my next project as soon as I can sale this stupid 07 CCSB 1/2 ton.