Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Pattern looks good Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I kept getting fault codes for running rich, even after Madkidd tuned it for me. I was sitting a fellow mechanic the engine compartment and it was popping like it had an exhaust leak. My friend saw the #5 spark plug wire arcing at the header bolts. I replaced the Taylor wires with some summit racing wires with ceramic boots.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

As much as I love Taylor wires. Seems LS headers never have the room for the boots. Glad to know why the engine light kept flashing but wish it had done it while we were messing with it

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

A few repairs on the Jeep. First off, had to crawl under and put it in drive without running myself over because the shifter cable broke at the transmission end. To swap it out, you've got to remove the center console and the driver's seat to change it.

Then, it's still been running rich. The codes point to the maf sensor. I took the one off the Saab project to see if it would make a difference. Apparently I tightened the hose clamp too tight last time and crushed the back of the housing. Swapped it out and it's definitely running better. Even running rich with the other sensor, I still got 12.77 mpg. Still better than the 11.4 mpg I got with the other engine and gear set.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I've always said it's a good trouble shooting tip to look at the engine while it's running in the dark. Just look for flashes and sparks if you are having occasional misses, it can pinpoint problems sometimes.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

So about a month ago, I was on the interstate and the hose clamp for the trans cooler broke and it spit out most of the trans fluid. I got it towed home, put 3 new clamps on each hose to prevent it happening again and filled it up with me fluid.
2 weeks ago, I'm heading home from Madkidd's house and I lost all forward gears. So I tow it home and decide to get rid of the all wheel drive and just go 2wd. So I order a transmission from mad dog transmissions in Alpharetta, GA.

My goal was to swap the transmission and go on vacation to see what my new mileage would be. With the ls2 and 4.10 gears, my mileage was 11.4/14.4 mpg. With the lq4 and 3.42 gears, my city mileage was around 12.8 mpg. I never did any long distance to get a new highway mileage.

So here's what's happened so far. I pulled the driveshaft out, thinking the slip yoke would fit the 4L70e and I would just have it lengthened to fit. Nope. A new oem driveshaft is about $600. I had one made locally for about $365.00.

Pulled the transfer case off, and ended up pulling the intake manifold so I could reach the top Bell housing bolts. Removed the old transmission. Filled the new torque converter and put it in, installed the new transmission. Install the crossmember and mounts are different from AWD and rwd. .... great...

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

So there's about a one inch gap, and the holes are offset. I make a couple spacers with some one inch square tubing left over from the roof rack, put nut-serts for the bottom mount holes and longer bolts to hold the tubing to the transmission.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I put the new driveshaft in, got the intake back on and everything's buttoned up. I'm double checking everything. Put 2 gallons of dextron 6 in and I go to start it up and I get nothing. I spent an hour double and triple checking all my connections. Google and YouTube videos for a bit. Turns out I broke the ignition wire off the starter when I pushed it up and out of the way to access the torque converter bolts. And since I put headers on, it's all but impossible to even see the starter, let alone change it. If I need to remove the header, I'll have to disconnect the passenger side body mounts and Jack up the body. So, needless to say, I won't be taking the Jeep on vacation this week. FML.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

That sucks!

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

:agree: Hope you have a good vacation. Maybe things will mellow out and go together without hickup when yo get back.

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Great news! I didn't have to pull half the truck apart after all. I pulled the passenger side suspension apart to remove the CV axle shaft and that opened up a void where I could take the starter loose and tilt it back enough to access the ignition terminal with an extension. Also, the ignition wire was long enough that I could pull it out and replace the terminal end. Yay!

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Gotta love that!!

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Well I went on vacation. The whole way out, the torque converter never locked up once. 80 mph at 2700 rpm, getting 11mpg. I was frustrated, to say the least. It kicked in and out while driving around and seemed like something had been stuck and was starting to operate normally. I keep getting an active code for p0300 misfire. I cleared the code and the torque converter locked up immediately. So the trans works as it should. But I'm still only getting 12 mpg on the interstate, and I don't understand why. It's so frustrating.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

So, while I haven't figured out the torque converter issue, Madkidd was helping me with dial in the tune. He noticed my inlet air temperature was 180 degrees, and was killing my mileage and performance. To I decided to make an air box so it pulls sure from the bottom of the fender behind the front bumper.

I made cardboard templates and transferred them to sheet metal. The back of the air filter seals against the opening and I cut a length of old fuel hose to seal the bottom edge of the box against the inner fender.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

After making the lid, I used nut-serts to make the filter accessible.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

What are your IAT's now?

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Not sure yet, have to let you know after we plug it back in.

—josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Well we finally got the Jeep back from the transmission shop and Josh (Madkidd) figured out my issue with the torque converter not locking up.

The intake temp, at idle is around 120 degrees. Driving is in the high 90s, low 100s. I couldn't be happier.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Well the Jeep dragged home another project. A sweet 1967 Buick special wagon.

-Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

Not a fan of the wheels, you should consider something with a different offset

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I bought a radio to replace the cd player in the jeep, and while I'm at it, I decided to install a back up camera. I had to make a new license plate light bracket to mount the camera.

Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

lookin nice! Always fun seeing this thing pop back up in my feed. How's it been running the past year since the trans/tune have been sorted out?

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

It's been doing very well. I've taken a few road trips with it, and my only real complaint is the cd player. The antenna fell down into the fender when I was painting it, so I don't get very good reception. My old cds are scratched up, so there's a lot of dead spots. I have the old trapper keeper style binder and flipping through while driving is getting old.

But other than that, It pulls strong, shifts firm, sounds good. I'm definitely happy with it

Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

I ran all the wiring from the camera to the new radio. Installed the new radio and backed up to my trailer perfectly on the first try. Definitely worth the effort

Josh

Re: Jeep Trailblazer SS
 

The only thing I like about a backup camera is right there. So love the look of ur ride. The old Willys wagons and Jeep Wagoneers have a good look.