Squeaky Penguin's (Trip Reports) Build Thread

I run at 10-11 psi on the daily without issue or any need for head studs.

Injectors, AEM FIC6, tuning, it's gets going decent for a old truck.

 

That sounds like way more work. Think it's just going to be one or the other.

I'm not worried about the time it would take to do a rebuild, because in the end I would get a better result, and I would like to learn how to do it.

I don't like hanging onto shit for years that I don't need. The cost of another engine x years from now is not worth storing it for that time.

Still daydreaming of an LS, but don't think it's going to happen.

Probably would stick with a domestic engine. I haven't read much about the JDM engines, but I know there are several difference with them, and who knows how long they've been sitting. Don't think they're worth the extra price.

Yeah, $1500 for rods, $700 for pistons. No thanks.

 

I had great success with a jdm importer when I was doing turbo rwd imports. He always spoke highly of the turbo hilux motors he brought over.... That was almost 20 years ago though

 

You gotta try to push that bitch to 3, ya know, for science.

 

20 years makes a difference. The newest 5vz is 15 years old. I could be wrong, but I would think any JDM 5vz has been sitting for several years at this point, maybe longer.

We'll see what it sounds like and how the oil looks after this next trip.

Think I would rather fix it though before I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere.

 

Time to buy AAA membership

 

I have one.

Even upgraded it to cover a 200 mile tow after the last tow-home incident. I'm going a lot further away than that, though.

I do have a Plan B for the upcoming trip, although I hope it doesn't come to that.

 

Is plan B swapping motors in the middle of WY?

 

Yes.

I can probably do it in a day now that I know what I'm doing.

Or we should just borrow the engine and blower off Frank. Guessing @Blackdawg won't miss if for a few years.

 

Not certain you'll want that motor... haha though does have like only 135-140k on it haha

 

Brett what packs are you running out back? I am disappointed in the Dakar's after the last trip. It holds height (As far as I can tell) but since the leaves are basically straight flat at ride height, I am just barely riding on the bumps the entire time. I am thinking a pack setup for the weight I have is much better for my application. A pack with some really good arch would keep the bumps from being so close at ride height.

 

custom Alcans. Only way to go...or custom Deavers but i think Deavers start at 900 vs 700 for Alcans.

 

225k on my 3.4 with the supercharger installed around 25k. I need to find someone to help me tune but I will be doing a pulley swap on the SC, I think it is every bit as fun as a LS. When the right opening shows up on the freeway and you drop it into second and chirp the tires at 40 mph, grab 3rd and next thing you know you are doing 75, jump into 5th and cruise the rest of the way home with a grin on your face. I've got a dodge (I know, blasphemy around here) for big torque/towing. The Taco is my little redkneck haulin ass truck and I'd never have been happy with it if it didn't have the SC on it. To each their own but I highly recommend one.

 

Alcans. Mine are 4" lift and +1,000lbs. Still happy with them. More lift does mean more uptravel, but it's all a trade off. It's one of the reasons I went 4" of lift. Gives me roughly 50/50 up and down travel while fully loaded.

Yep. Think they were a bit over $700.

Still debating all my options, but tossing in another 3.4 with a blower would definitely be the easiest way to add power.

 

Another vote for Alcans. I am on my 2nd set. Very happy. Was able to spec them to what I do and the weight I carry.

They will cost you more that $700 tho. You'll have to add in east coast shipping. Alcan is in Grand Junction, CO. Good reason to come out west again, they are on your way to Moab.

 

Yeah if Alcans are cheaper and they perform the same then maybe that's better.

I was going to say, your lift out back is pretty high. I like the idea of maintaining 3" lift fully loaded for sure. Another possibility is get them made for 4" lift, move the shackle hanger above the frame, run 9" shackles and still get my up travel while only netting 2" of lift. But that's just a theory based on some other rigs that I have seen go above the frame.

I think the Alpine Loop and then breaking off with some of you guys to hit actually hard trails would be a better next trip, and would still accomplish the same thing. The problem is what do I do in the interim. A lot of my second gen buddies have gone bags, which I feel is a band aid more than a solution. Super cheap to setup at $2-300 and might get me through for a while till I can go custom leafs. But at the same time I just spent almost a grand on some high performance shocks, and feel like I am now not able to fully take advantage of them. Meanwhile the front end struggles to keep up on my clapped out billies and eibach shocks/stock UCA's.

 

@Squeaky Penguin

 

Bags can work, but you just have to be aware of it. You can easily get bags that are longer than the stock geometery travel thats for sure. @austinmtb has some on his rig.