Another week has flown by. All front suspension and steering parts have been replaced or rebuilt after inspection and put back together. New u-joints over the entire truck and all drive shafts back in. We also aligned the front tires. I was only 3.5° off on the toe by eyeballing it.
Brakes got filled and bled on Monday with DOT 5/BFS. Yesterday and today had us putting the front fenders and inner fenders on. It almost looks like a complete vehicle again. With the inner fenders on, I can start securing some of the wires that have just been draped over the master cylinder out of the way. Then we can put the battery trays in and make the Banks air filter installation secure instead of just hanging my the hoses.
Which leads me to a dilemma. I want to put the grill, headlight surrounds, bumper and grill guard on. Yet, I won't do that until I have run the engine with coolant in it up to temperature and let the transmission get up to temperature as well. Lots easier to check for and fix any leaks with all that stuff out of the way. I plan to pick up coolant, gear oil and transmission fluid after I get paid this weekend.
I currently have the torque converter not bolted to the flex plate since the transmission is empty. I can't afford the transmission controller until we find out if Colton is getting any college academic scholarships for next fall. We will know all of that by mid May. Does anyone know if a 4L80E can be powered with fluid in it and no electronics hooked up? If so, can it be used to move a vehicle without electronics connected?
Research has shown me the default for a 4L80E is 2nd and reverse. Lots of people have written on truck and LS engine forums about driving home with just second and reverse when bad things have happened to their vehicle. But, there is almost an equal number of people out there that claim just starting the engine without a controller attached with kill the transmission. Anybody with knowledge of these transmissions have advice or input?
No matter the answer to the above, I will proceed at first without the transmission hooked up. I plan to add coolant next week and let it get up to temperature. That will let me check the engine, power steering pump, hydroboost steering fluid side and brake boost side, vacuum pump, alternator and cooling fan operation. Along with any odd noises or vibrations I am sure will be present.
If I feel comfortable with any answers here or that I find researching. I will then put power to the transmission and check all of those hoses for leaks. Getting to back it out of my class, drive 20 feet and put it in a bay without a lift would be great if it will do no harm.
Now that the fenders are installed, I can't reach into the engine bay from the ground without standing on a stool. I need it off the lift after all the fluids have been added and systems tested.
Thanks.