The Jimmys chassis is made for that. Several of them that I can think of have a mid mount that hangs the engine from the dash bar.
Our tiny little JHF chassis I can’t see a way. The bellhousing is so far back it’s between the knees of the occupants
-
Last Call Guest on these Group Buy Deal Items from Baja Designs
Build UC Motorsports #680
- Thread starter Hatz33
- Start date
-
- Tags
- general 4x4
Our tiny little JHF chassis I can’t see a way. The bellhousing is so far back it’s between the knees of the occupants
WiscoF100
Well-known member
Probably no way to tell if shocks were properly bled previously. You have 2 options, hire only the best names in shock servicing or do it yourself. With confidence I say you can do the job better than 90% of the ******s who take your money and call themselves shock tuners. It’s an art and some science but mostly it’s attention to detail that matters in a quality shock prep.
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #123
Yep!common problem on jimmys chassis, the mounts cantilever out from the tube spreading the chassis. the spec chassis were constantly having this issue.
you got any pictures of the chassis without the motor showing the mounts?
edit : found this one, there is no vertical tie in and that is a large span.
I already had to repair the welds on theses tubes, also plated it in, but its not a good a adding another vertical tube. It will be hard to package another tube. A motor plate or a more mounts on the back of the heads will be easier, next time I pull the engine I'll note how much clearance I need to get the engine/trans out and add more mounts.
common problem on jimmys chassis, the mounts cantilever out from the tube spreading the chassis. the spec chassis were constantly having this issue.
you got any pictures of the chassis without the motor showing the mounts?
edit : found this one, there is no vertical tie in and that is a large span.
That's a good idea! I'll replace these with studs and learn to tie wire.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Congrats on the arrival of the new additions x2! Those first few weeks are rough, especially x2, but rewarding too.
Gumbybronco
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2022
- Member Number
- 4666
- Messages
- 742
I’m still interested in some swag as a green eb fan…
I’ll buy a shirt.
I’ll buy a shirt.
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Same here shirt wise, especially if the shirts are in kiddo sizes. My little dude (4yo) loves wearing U4 shirts.
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #127
Gumbybronco
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2022
- Member Number
- 4666
- Messages
- 742
My shirt arrived…I’m stoked!
cdemart2
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2021
- Member Number
- 4528
- Messages
- 185
Was there a fix for this on the spec/trail chassis? if so what was it?
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #130
JR4X Could you point me in the right direction on this? All my searches are turning up a the stud for: ARP Outer Main Stud Small Block Chevy, 4-Bolt Main, Part Number: 070-AP2.750-1LB.
Which appears to be 2.75" long and seems like it the shank of the stud would be too long.
I gusseted mine. But the correct fix would be to hang the motor on a mid plate, or add a vertical tube supporting the tube that holds the bushing, however this would be extremely challenging with most headers.
Next time I pull the motor out and take the car down to a bare chassis I'll be figuring out adding a mid-plate.
Also found the transfer case support bracket had a good crack in it.
I drew up and ordered some laser cut false floor broads in an attempt to help keep myself and my codriver more comfortable.
Learned the hard way that 2:00am after feeding a baby and unable to fall back asleep might not be the best time of day to make a CAD drawing and place the order....
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #131
Slowly chipping away at re-assembly. Did make the decision to haul it out to KOH when I go to pit for a friend to get some test miles in. I'll have to pick up the pace to make that happen.
I was able to get to studs in the bolt instead of bolts. Unfornately the ARP studs I had found had too long of a shank. So I used a set of Grade 8 studs. Its still an improvement and the shank of the studs fits a lot tighter that the full thread bolts in the holes in my mounts. I am hopefully that this will be a big improvement.
Access is very tight so I haven't drilled the studs and safety wired yet. Frankly I think I might might until I pull the motor again to do so.
Got a new standoff panel for the drive foot well.
Still need to come up with a mounting strategy for it.
Had a Harbor Freight flavored motivator give up...
Axles are under the chassis again!
I was able to get to studs in the bolt instead of bolts. Unfornately the ARP studs I had found had too long of a shank. So I used a set of Grade 8 studs. Its still an improvement and the shank of the studs fits a lot tighter that the full thread bolts in the holes in my mounts. I am hopefully that this will be a big improvement.
Access is very tight so I haven't drilled the studs and safety wired yet. Frankly I think I might might until I pull the motor again to do so.
Got a new standoff panel for the drive foot well.
Still need to come up with a mounting strategy for it.
Had a Harbor Freight flavored motivator give up...
Axles are under the chassis again!
pennsylvaniaboy
make fullsizes great again
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2020
- Member Number
- 2192
- Messages
- 1,451
FYI HF will warranty that hammer
pennsylvaniaboy
make fullsizes great again
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2020
- Member Number
- 2192
- Messages
- 1,451
Who did the laser/dimple work?JR4X Could you point me in the right direction on this? All my searches are turning up a the stud for: ARP Outer Main Stud Small Block Chevy, 4-Bolt Main, Part Number: 070-AP2.750-1LB.
Which appears to be 2.75" long and seems like it the shank of the stud would be too long.
I gusseted mine. But the correct fix would be to hang the motor on a mid plate, or add a vertical tube supporting the tube that holds the bushing, however this would be extremely challenging with most headers.
Next time I pull the motor out and take the car down to a bare chassis I'll be figuring out adding a mid-plate.
Also found the transfer case support bracket had a good crack in it.
I drew up and ordered some laser cut false floor broads in an attempt to help keep myself and my codriver more comfortable.
Learned the hard way that 2:00am after feeding a baby and unable to fall back asleep might not be the best time of day to make a CAD drawing and place the order....
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #134
Send cut Send.
I have been happy with them and OSH Cut for one off stuff so far.
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #136
No worries, y'all have a lot going on with prep and the transmission swap!
chaplinfj60
Well-known member
looks like you will have company out there this year. cool beans
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #138
Yep! I won't be racing the EMC this year, instead just going to Johnson Valley for the couple days of the desert challenge racing with Nate in the 1400 class.looks like you will have company out there this year. cool beans
Even with the in-laws helping I just can't justify the two and half weeks away from home with the couple month old twins.
Planning to take the car out to get some more shock tuning in and have fun.
chaplinfj60
Well-known member
very cool for sure
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #140
I had a trip out to Hammers with mixed results.
On one hand my friend, who was racing his 4 Runner in the 1400 class for the first time since it was practically totaled in the Baja 1000 two years age had a great race finishing 5th in the class after completing a clean, albeit slow race.
My normal co-driver Aaron navigated for him and by the end of the race Aaron had coached him a bit and according to the splits provided by Hammer King they improved their pace by ~30%.
Then my car decided to act up on the second day losing the transmission on the way out to a section of whoops for shock tuning. The sliver lining was we did get some seat time the day before pre-running the desert loop and running Spooners and Outer limits.
Right now, the car has no forward or reverse drive.
As such I am no longer planning on racing Moab as I just don’t think I’ll have enough time to get the transmission pulled, repaired, and re-installed. Really disappointed about it but Montana is still a possibility.
I am currently thinking about the following options:
Lastly I need to decide on what to do with the transmission. This is the second time the TH400 has failed. It was originally built by Jimmy’s and lasted for multiple testing/tuning trips, two Hammers, two season races in Oklahoma, and part of V2R. I had it rebuilt by a local shop who appears to do a lot of automatics for tow rigs and drag cars. This time it lasted for a pre-run at Hammers, ½ of a EMC race, Area BFE, and a little bit of pre-running at Hammers. I wasn’t impressed with the local shops customer service and communication on what failed/why. Torn between finding another local shop ( I have one recommended that is ~1 ½ hours north by another team) and just learning how to rebuild it myself…..Or going to a 4L80….
On one hand my friend, who was racing his 4 Runner in the 1400 class for the first time since it was practically totaled in the Baja 1000 two years age had a great race finishing 5th in the class after completing a clean, albeit slow race.
My normal co-driver Aaron navigated for him and by the end of the race Aaron had coached him a bit and according to the splits provided by Hammer King they improved their pace by ~30%.
Then my car decided to act up on the second day losing the transmission on the way out to a section of whoops for shock tuning. The sliver lining was we did get some seat time the day before pre-running the desert loop and running Spooners and Outer limits.
Right now, the car has no forward or reverse drive.
As such I am no longer planning on racing Moab as I just don’t think I’ll have enough time to get the transmission pulled, repaired, and re-installed. Really disappointed about it but Montana is still a possibility.
I am currently thinking about the following options:
- Pull transmission, get it repaired, reinstall and race Montana (or another race). Then do a complete prep (tear down to the frame) go to Hammers 27.
- Do a complete prep (tear down to the frame), repair transmission, reassemble, race Montana ( or another race), light prep and go to Hammers 27.
- Do a complete prep (tear down to the frame), repair transmission, reassemble, find somewhere to get test miles in, light prep go to Hammers 27.
Lastly I need to decide on what to do with the transmission. This is the second time the TH400 has failed. It was originally built by Jimmy’s and lasted for multiple testing/tuning trips, two Hammers, two season races in Oklahoma, and part of V2R. I had it rebuilt by a local shop who appears to do a lot of automatics for tow rigs and drag cars. This time it lasted for a pre-run at Hammers, ½ of a EMC race, Area BFE, and a little bit of pre-running at Hammers. I wasn’t impressed with the local shops customer service and communication on what failed/why. Torn between finding another local shop ( I have one recommended that is ~1 ½ hours north by another team) and just learning how to rebuild it myself…..Or going to a 4L80….
chaplinfj60
Well-known member
To the uneducated man that doesn’t know a lot about the differences between the two transmission why switch transmission cause then it’s like mounts and everything else move right just conversationI had a trip out to Hammers with mixed results.
On one hand my friend, who was racing his 4 Runner in the 1400 class for the first time since it was practically totaled in the Baja 1000 two years age had a great race finishing 5th in the class after completing a clean, albeit slow race.
My normal co-driver Aaron navigated for him and by the end of the race Aaron had coached him a bit and according to the splits provided by Hammer King they improved their pace by ~30%.
Then my car decided to act up on the second day losing the transmission on the way out to a section of whoops for shock tuning. The sliver lining was we did get some seat time the day before pre-running the desert loop and running Spooners and Outer limits.
Right now, the car has no forward or reverse drive.
As such I am no longer planning on racing Moab as I just don’t think I’ll have enough time to get the transmission pulled, repaired, and re-installed. Really disappointed about it but Montana is still a possibility.
I am currently thinking about the following options:
- Pull transmission, get it repaired, reinstall and race Montana (or another race). Then do a complete prep (tear down to the frame) go to Hammers 27.
- Do a complete prep (tear down to the frame), repair transmission, reassemble, race Montana ( or another race), light prep and go to Hammers 27.
- Do a complete prep (tear down to the frame), repair transmission, reassemble, find somewhere to get test miles in, light prep go to Hammers 27.
Lastly I need to decide on what to do with the transmission. This is the second time the TH400 has failed. It was originally built by Jimmy’s and lasted for multiple testing/tuning trips, two Hammers, two season races in Oklahoma, and part of V2R. I had it rebuilt by a local shop who appears to do a lot of automatics for tow rigs and drag cars. This time it lasted for a pre-run at Hammers, ½ of a EMC race, Area BFE, and a little bit of pre-running at Hammers. I wasn’t impressed with the local shops customer service and communication on what failed/why. Torn between finding another local shop ( I have one recommended that is ~1 ½ hours north by another team) and just learning how to rebuild it myself…..Or going to a 4L80….
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #142
Right now with a 6500 rpm redline line and the 1:1 of the TH400 the top speed in high is 133 mph, I have only ever achieved ~105 mph before I run out of courage.
The benefit would be in low range as the current top speed is ~45 mph, with the over drive it would be ~60 MPH. Eliminating a lot of the need to switch between high a low at Hammers, and at races like BFE preventing me from running out of top end on the occasionally straights.
I think the TH400 and 4L80E are the two most common transmissions in Ultra 4 cars and generally well regarded strength wise.
I am still working on tracking down the cost of a new 4L80E vs a rebuild of my TH400.
But at my experience level upgrading to a 4L80E would probably help less than just getting seat time.
chaplinfj60
Well-known member
All good points. I really like the OD for low range benefits. Thanks by the way
find a TH400 builder that other successful teams are using and spend the money, no prep and race montana. regroup for koh27.
EDIT - transmissions need to be gone through yearly
drag racings is not offroad racing.
4L80E is longer so it will domino effect getting into the car.
EDIT - transmissions need to be gone through yearly
drag racings is not offroad racing.
4L80E is longer so it will domino effect getting into the car.
Last edited:
ridered3
Low Talent Wheelin
Easy choice. 4-speed manual with Brownie box to give extra gears when needed. 
Definitely see the benefits of changing to a 4L80E
I’d think sticking with TH400 (less overall charges) but with different builder and getting as much seat time would be your best options.
Definitely see the benefits of changing to a 4L80E
I’d think sticking with TH400 (less overall charges) but with different builder and getting as much seat time would be your best options.
Blase
Well-known member
find a TH400 builder that other successful teams are using and spend the money, no prep and race montana. regroup for koh27.
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #147
Y'all are right.
Another team (they finished EMC in 4800 this year, but with a 4L80e) in the front range recommended a builder about ~2 hours drive north of me.
Sean
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2023
- Member Number
- 6041
- Messages
- 1,902
Might look over this thread. Seems like there are 3 or 4 well regarded builders for TH400s for around ~$3K
- Joined
- May 21, 2020
- Member Number
- 977
- Messages
- 143
- Thread starter
- #149
Sean thanks for pointing out that thread.
I have an aversion to shipping my transmission off, part of it is even the well know shops can't seem to return emails, send shipping tags when trying to send them a unit to be rebuilt....
The is a shop ~2 hours north of me that has done transmissions for other teams in front range. The owner also teaches at a technical college and is willing to let be be there for the teardown, ask questions, discuss failure mechanisms and how to address them. I'll be taking the trans there later this month. Hopefully I learn something!
Also going to get a lower stall converter.
Plan is to to race Montana then strip the car to a bare chassis and do a full prep for Hammers 2027.
I have an aversion to shipping my transmission off, part of it is even the well know shops can't seem to return emails, send shipping tags when trying to send them a unit to be rebuilt....
The is a shop ~2 hours north of me that has done transmissions for other teams in front range. The owner also teaches at a technical college and is willing to let be be there for the teardown, ask questions, discuss failure mechanisms and how to address them. I'll be taking the trans there later this month. Hopefully I learn something!
Also going to get a lower stall converter.
Plan is to to race Montana then strip the car to a bare chassis and do a full prep for Hammers 2027.
Sean
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2023
- Member Number
- 6041
- Messages
- 1,902
I'm in a boat where I need whole transmissions....so I was just planning to pay core charges and have the units shipped. I haven't moved forward as I'm still rethinking LS/TH400/Hero 3 spds for the drivetrains considering that doesn't make much sense in 4WS portal cars for crawling other than being beef (and having the accompanying weight penalty) and not really having to worry about trans/tcase failures (oiling issues in the LSXs is another story).
