Help needed from Phoenix area members.

[JVictor75]

Hi!

I'm looking for a decent exhaust shop in or around the greater Phoenix area.

Most of the satellite communities are fine but the trip has to be worth it either in workmanship or price. I'd like to keep it in the east valley area as I'm currently living near 52nd street and McDowell road, although I am working on the truck out at Luke AFB so I guess a west valley shop would be ok.

Talk to me people! I'm looking to do a dual 2.5" from headers to a crossover or X-pipe and possibly cats on a LWB 71 C10 to straight out the back.

I haven't decided if I want the system "tucked" by having holes cut and running the pipes thru the trailing arm crossmember or not. I also haven't decided on whether I want to run full length headers, 3/4 length "Chevelle style" headers, or manifolds. I won't be dropping the truck any, but want a clean looking installation.

As an aside, the truck in question has a a stock exhaust system but no motor or trans. The donor truck has extremely cheap, full length, extremely rusty Dynomax headers.

What is everyone else running, where did you get it done, and how much did it cost you?

[JVictor75]

Anyone?

[brianthelion02]

Hi jvictor,there is a guy wayy out east here that does decent exhaust work,ill get you a # tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by brianthelion02

Hi jvictor,there is a guy wayy out east here that does decent exhaust work,ill get you a # tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

LOL How far out east? And thanks!

[whatnow123]

Let me know how it turns out, I'll be at that stage in a couple of months!

[Longhorn Man]

just out of morbid curiosity... why would you install cats?

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

just out of morbid curiosity... why would you install cats?

I'm not installing them yet, but if the need arises (yay Arizona emissions testing!!!)... Nawmean? (Thats Texas redneck for "Do you know what I mean?")

I'm 95% sure that it'll pass the sniffer fine, but I just want to price out how much it's gonna cost to install 'em in case I need/want them.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by whatnow123

Let me know how it turns out, I'll be at that stage in a couple of months!

Well, I'm rushing things for one, for two I'm going with a fairly basic "freshening" instead of a full-on rebuild. No Drop, No Bags, No Craziness. Just your basic, good running, classic truck.

On another note, who in this area is willing to teach me to weld? LOL

The stupid truck needs cab corners, rockers, outer D/S floorboard, and D/S toeboard/footwell replaced.

By the way, I'm up at 48th st and Roosevelt by Papago Park.

[Fastfun]

You do not need cats on your 71 in Arizona. They never came on trucks until 75.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by Fastfun

You do not need cats on your 71 in Arizona. They never came on trucks until 75.

Sweet, thanks.

[whatnow123]

On another note, who in this area is willing to teach me to weld? LOL

If you have a mig welder, I'll show you, it won't take long as it's pretty easy. If you don't have one, buy one. If you have rust and want to fix it, you have 2 choices, pay someone to do it or do it yourself, the latter being the most rewarding and will cost far less including the cost of the patch panels and the welder. I live pretty close and it's actually much easier than it looks however, since I did all this myself, I can tell you this is not a weekend job to cut everything out and weld in new patch metal.

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by whatnow123

On another note, who in this area is willing to teach me to weld? LOL

If you have a mig welder, I'll show you, it won't take long as it's pretty easy. If you don't have one, buy one. If you have rust and want to fix it, you have 2 choices, pay someone to do it or do it yourself, the latter being the most rewarding and will cost far less including the cost of the patch panels and the welder. I live pretty close and it's actually much easier than it looks however, since I did all this myself, I can tell you this is not a weekend job to cut everything out and weld in new patch metal.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks. For right now I'm probably going to just buy/trade for all the bolt-on stuff, buy the replacement sheetmetal from Brothers (yay %75 off sale!) and wait until I actually have a place to do the finishing work.

[brianthelion02]

Well dang ,if you need that much sheet metal,since you right in the oppitimy of the southwest,id be lookin for a good clean cab!!!!!!!!!!Probably be easier than doin all that metal work!!!!!

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by brianthelion02

Well dang ,if you need that much sheet metal,since you right in the oppitimy of the southwest,id be lookin for a good clean cab!!!!!!!!!!Probably be easier than doin all that metal work!!!!!

Oh, I know. But I want to have to do SOME welding at some point in my life, might as well learn to do it on this one!! LOL

Besides it really isn't that bad to tell the truth. Not worth the effort of changing the entire cab, IMHO. The cab corners aren't rusty, they're just a little beat up. Not sure I even need the doors I'm buying, although I do seem to remember the ones on the truck currently being a little bit rusty (and I mean VERY little) with bad window regulators.

What's funny is that by the time I get done with this, if it all continues to go this way, is that I'll end up having paid $450 for a good frame, a metal bedfloor, a good left rear fender well, an A/C cab with all the trimmings (the rusty rockers were free), and a recently rebuilt ear end.

[brianthelion02]

Sounds good!!!!!!!!Havin any luck findin work space?I got lucky and found a 40x60 building to rent,been there over a year now,sure makes a difference!!!!!!!!!

[JVictor75]

Originally Posted by brianthelion02

Sounds good!!!!!!!!Havin any luck findin work space?I got lucky and found a 40x60 building to rent,been there over a year now,sure makes a difference!!!!!!!!!

No luck other than driving all the way out to Luke AFB and only able to work on the weekend from 9am to 6pm when I don't have drill (National Guard).

Aaand I can only store the truck for 60 days at a time at the Luke Auto hobby shop, or else they tow it away.

[chevy72blu]

Lol, I was gonna say... If you have a welder, Ill help you out. Im just outside of Tempe near ASU and im missin my truck back home

[53burb]

I hear good things about Mesa Muffler. I know they have done street rods, sport trucks, classic trucks, etc....

[b&a72]

Originally Posted by 53burb

I hear good things about Mesa Muffler. I know they have done street rods, sport trucks, classic trucks, etc....

Mesa muffler is good but a little pricey try Apache muffler on Main and Extension. It is right down the street from Mesa muffler. Also I belive Scottsdale Muffler is down the street from you as well on 58th and Thomas if I remember correctly.

[Sandemonium]

Try Muffler Masters in Glendale, very nice work and fair price. They did my dual 2.5" exhaust on my '69.

Muffler Masters
(623) 939-5773 | 6822 N 55 Dr Glendale, AZ

[rodstored-72]

i used mesa muffler as well. they have been around a very long time. i would also check the place that fastfun recommended as well.

good luck!

[bdozeraz]

Mighty Muf'ler (602) 944-5210
10032 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85020

Been using them for years. They have reasonable prices and they specialize in custom and hot rod exhaust. They do regular type bends or for a slightly higher price they will do all mandrel bends. They use aluminized pipe on everything. I highly recomend them.

Brent

[Zonaman]

Mesa Muffler Inc 555 West Main Street, Mesa, Arizona 85201 Products & Services: Mufflers (480) 964-8532