GreatDane's 97' 4.0 4x4 - The making of a big bad lift build

[GreatDane]

Alright guys n' gals, may introduce you to my new darling "Silverbullet"



So I picked her 2 weeks ago as my new project car. She is bone stock and has 112K km on her back! Only two owners since exported to Denmark in 97' and she has been taken care of. Well, all except the 5r55e by the previous owned and got her on the cheap as the tranny had dropped a lot of oil howling on the highway so it had unfortunately overheted do to poor maintenance and a clogged filter / cooler lines. Anywho, more on that in the build progress post's and the rebuild log of the 5r55e.

Other then that she is actually in a very nice shape. NO rust at all, no dents, mint paint and a LEER camper shell from factory. Cabin is very well as well. Check the pic's I will upload

So, here's the plans at the moment

The "ToDoList"

Change spark plugs
Change oil filter + oil
Change fuel filter
Change differential oil front and rear
Flush old brake fluid + new
Flush old clutch fluid + new
Flush old power steering fluid + new
Clean throttle body
Change most pulleys
Change serpentine belt
Clean and dye carpet black (A how-to will be posted soon ☺)
Paint entire dash and cabin black (SEM Laundrau Black)
Black billet grill swap
Paint match front and back bumper
OHC mod
Center sonsole mod
Bucket seat mod
Install 2-din radio
Remove camper shell and bed for rust cleaning and paint
4-6” Suspension lift
4” Body lift
16x8/10 + 32,5s or 35s
E-fan install
Remove AC and install none AC serpentine

And ofcourse, all the nasty bits which is discovered along the way

The "NeedToDoList"

Possible rebuild of the whole 5r55e – Link for rebuild diary here
External transmission cooler upgrade
Change of front brake pads!
New Thermostat

Other then that, its actually all good

The "WantToDoList"

JBA exhaust header
BBK 66mm throttle body
Comp Camshaft
75mm MAF
AEM CAI
Upgrade header
24 lbs injectors
Upgrade valves
Dual exhaust - Gibson

Here she is, bone stock after pickup. Pictures are for reference for the initial state she was in! ☺☺

[GreatDane]

Update - Pulling the valvebody

Well, as mentioned I am possibly in for a full rebuild of the 5r55e, tranny and VB! So, first thing was to drop the oil pan and pulling the VB. Not going into details as I am starting a rebuild diary soon, but you get the picture





Rebuild diary of the 5r55e will be up soon

[GreatDane]

Update - Pulling the BW1354 shift motor

When I bought the truck I knew the the transfer case was stuck in a mode as the it could not switch. So, I pulled the shift motor for a rebuild and saw it was stuck in 4x4 HI. Will not go into details as I will post a rebuild diary soon!

[GreatDane]

Update - Started dismount of front dash and cabin trims

As I will patch all trims and front dash in all black, install bucket seats + center console, remove, clean & dye carpet black and install power for seats & amplier I will remove all of the cabin (well, almost )



Seats out!


As this is my second time doing this, I learned the hard way! BAG AND TAG everything this time

[De-ranged]

Alright you Slacker!! Get back on the job. You've got a lot more to do!

[GreatDane]

Update - Installing blue LED's

It started showing that day so I did not get to much... Installed the blue LED's, but not as bright as hoped so I have ordered the ones I have in my DD as they are much more blue, this is kinda light blue.

95-97 has stock blue gauges which highlights when swithing to blue LED's

[De-ranged]

I'm just giving you some guff! Thanks for the thread. It will be interesting to see it progress.

[GreatDane]

Originally Posted by De-ranged

I'm just giving you some guff! Thanks for the thread. It will be interesting to see it progress.

Haha I am trying but its a bit cold atm and can only work on it outside! But, have some more updates for you

Thanks! Alot of work for me, hard bit will be pulling the 5r55e alone AND rebuilding it But found some could guides and inspirations and bought the 5r55e service manual as well!

[GreatDane]

Update – Continuing dismount of cabin

So yesterday I almost finished removing all trim pieces today, only missing thoose pesky 2 bolts holding the seatbeats to remove the carpet! I broke 6, yes 6 torx bits last time i did this before we ended up heating those bastards to remove them

[GreatDane]

Update - Swapped new LED's and drained all coolant

Have not been up to much the last week as I am waiting for some torx bits so I can remove the last 2 seat belt bolts so I can remove the carpet.

Swapped in the same LED's as I have in my DD:





Drained all coolant and cleaned the coolant reservoir - Aint that lovely?

[GreatDane]

Update - Carpet removal and 1 dye

So got my torx bit's buy the mail today and luckily the 2 bolts came loose right away, so removed the carpet today and cleaned the floor!





That's it for today! The dying process is a bit time consuming, but ill soon post a How-to guide

[GreatDane]

Finished dying the carpet today - all done!

image-51780163.jpg

[GreatDane]

Installed new battery clamps!

image-480720502.jpg

Anyone know where I can get a new battery tray plate ? And the cover for the battery

[GreatDane]

Update - Installed AUX wire and dismount of door panel

Long time no see for this thread... I have been dealing with a lot of stuff privately so have not had the time to update my build log, BUT - I have been busy with the truck

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So today I installed all AUX wires so I am ready for; Expo power seats, heater kit for the expo seats and an AUX 12 plug inside the expo shorty console

[GreatDane]

Update - Painted interior pieces and dash panel

Started and finished painting the front dash panel and begun on various interior pieces!

All is ofcourse painted with the one and only SEM Color Coat - Laundrau Black and prepped with the SEM Plastic and Leather prep