Whoops, double post... might as well make this space useful....




^^^can't wait to get this baby installed!

 

I figure maybe if I start a to-do list maybe I'll keep the momentum of my build thread moving forward!


1.) I need to buy a new radiator cap and radiator mounting bracket from CFR Performance for my new radiator. At this time I will start modifying my core support to make room for my wider and thicker radiator and new 14" electric fan and aluminum shroud. I will probably remove as much as the core support as I can, but also leave as many of the grill mounting points as I can.I will probably have to go with hood pins because my new radiator will be moved closer to the grill to make room for my new and bigger/thicker 14" electric fan, so unless I can figure out a way to retain the factory hood latch mechanism, I will have no choice but to go with the hood pins.


2.) When I have the old radiator and electric fans out, I need to take my old single V-belt pulleys off the crank and water pump and swap them out for the double V-belt pulleys I have so I can finally get my power steering pump mounted. Hopefully my alternator will still line up without any modifications. I will have to modify the Toyota power steering pump brackets to mount up to the 302.

 

Or figure out a way to make it a serpentine belt!!!use the ford power steering and use line adapters to the Toyota steering box.

 

Hey Chris, yeah I would really like to switch to a serpentine belt setup, but for now I will probably just use what I have on hand and make it work to save some money, I already have the double v-belt pulleys that I got for free from my uncle. It will be nice just to have power steering, I've been driving without it ever since I got the 4runner drivable 2 years ago!


Does anyone know if they make some sort of lockable style hood pin? It would be nice to have some sort of security device to keep unwanted's out from under the hood!

 

Hey ED.

Not sure on the lockable hood pins. But my buddy ran into the same issue with his SBC swap. Had to cut out so much core support that he lost the factory latch.

I would like to see someone make/fab a way to still retain the factory mechanism in a v-8swap.

A serpentine belt would be a nice setup. I could look around the shop to see if there is anything there that could help you with that.

 

Hi Mark.

Yeah I really don't want to run hood pins, i wish i could get away from even cuttin the core support any more, i already had to trim it some to get the toyota V6 radiator to fit, and my new aluminum radiator is even bigger and space is so limited up front something has to give. I'm going to give it my best shot and try to retain the factory hood latch. I would like to keep the front looking as stock as possible, even if the core support structure behind the grill is probably going to be completely reconfigured/rebuilt.

I agree, a serpintine setup would be sweet! Yeah if its not too much trouble, let me know if you find anything, thanks man!

 

I went out and was starring at my hood latch trying to come up with some ideas. I was thinking I could use the factory hood pull lever and cable, and use that to engage my own home brewed latch, maybe something like I built on my trailer tailgate:

 

Why not run hood pins and run a small paddock through the pin??just a thought.they make cool hood pins,and the make hood pins that suck...you get what you pay for,also days fasteners or 1/4 turn fasteners (aluminum)are nice as well. I myself would rather have the factory style latch.

As for the serpentine setup,that's what came factory on my 89h.o. 5.0.why couldn't you find one of those setups at a junkyard and swap it over??serpentinelooks nicer,more rreliable,only one belt to worry about.

 

I meant dzus fasteners.spell check junk!!!

 

I like that. Maybe have two of them at each end of the hood just like the tailgate. Going into the fender support on either side, with a center pull cable to your factory handle inside.

 

I hate to even suggest it but jeep cherokees have a latch at either side of the hood instead of the middle. I wonder if a guy could make something like that work. Then it would be under the hood. The safety latch is still in the middle so you'd have to figure something out for that. Just a thought. I'm sure whatever you come up will work great. You're a creative fella.

 

Thanks for your input Chris! I think I'm going to rule out using hood pins completely, I think I can come up with a better setup and keep it under the hood.


I really like the idea of the serpentine setup and totally agree with you that it is much more simple/reliable and would look much better and would like to go that route, but I don't have any junkyards in my immediate area. The closest one is a 2 hour drive away, I don't make it up to that area very often. I would eventually like to go that route, but will probably be down the road later.

 

Hey Mark, that's exactly what I was thinking! I think it would be easy to re-route the factory pull cable from the driverside fenderwell up to the hood (possibly inside the hood) and use that to actuate two spring loaded latches like you were saying one on each side of the hood. It looks like there's plenty of room where the fender bolts to the core support to add a small bracket for the latches to hook into.

 

Ha, ha, thanks man. Do you know what year Cherokee? My mom has a 94' I could take a look at it for ideas!

 

I think all xj's are that way. I had an 88, a 94, a 97, and a 98 that were all set up that way. Just straight cherokees, not grand cherokees.

 

Shame on you guys with all this xj talk!!!just kidding,I'm used to it cause a good friend of mine e actually has a sweet xj he's building.

Now,as for the serpentine setup...you need to compare your stock harmonic balancer and pulley to the serpentine one,I was thinking if there's a difference onthe rotating assembly this may not be as easy as i thought,see the h.o motor is a roller cam with forged pistons,dunno if that makes a difference.

 

2 hours away for the nearest junkyard and I thought I had it bad. I am going an hour and a half or 98 miles for a descent Toyota junkyard. I feel your pain.

 

Man Terry, you have it bad too! You have to travel more actual miles than I do, I have to go about 75ish miles, but the slow speed limit is what makes it take longer.

WOOHOO POST #1500!!!

 

I guess I do not realize how lucky I am to have 5 salvage yards within 20 minutes of me.

I know what you mean on the xj hood latch. I am heading to the U-pull it this Saturday, and I will try take a picture of one for you if I see any xj's

 

That would be cool, thanks!