Reed 78 FJ40 Rebuild

[reaper71]

Pic #1. Here is the rear mount for the new transfer case,The customer felt this was a bit to close for comfort if the trans and case needed to come out at a later date,so it would be removed.

Pic #2. After it was removed giving me the needed room for easy removal.

Pic #3. The scab plate welded to the frame for more strength and ready for the mount.

Pic #4.Motor mounts and all the transfer case mounts in and final.
Ready for exhaust.

Pic #5. This is the first shot of the exhaust mock up. I'm using block hugger headers from speedway and the tubing is 2 1/4 kit from speedway it comes with 4 u bends,4 45's,4 90's and 4 straight pipes for $140.00.

Still need to do my final weld on the front sections and then will start on the back section after the mufflers.
More to come.


Mark...

[RockinKees]

Yes, that is really nice!!
It's a shame you don't see it anymore once it's ready

[reaper71]

Thank's Kees...
I agree and I'm probably going overboard on the looks of the exhaust while building it,but just can't let it be Ugly!


Mark...

[Advanced Design]

Everything is looking really good Mark. Will the exhaust be coated or left bare?

[reaper71]

Will be shot with ceramic paint to help protect it some.

Mark...

[reaper71]

Pic #1. Starting to get the rear section mocked up.
this is a cross flow muffler.

Pic #2. Another shot showing the flanges tacked in place so it can be removed.
The 2 front mufflers have flanges in front of them and can be taken off separately. as well as the rear muffler and tail pipes.

Pic #3. 1st pic with the rear all done.

Pic #4. Here I am showing the front mounts just in front of the mufflers.

Pic #5. Here it shows the rear mounts, they are a rigid mount from 1/4" strap steel the large section of the clamp is welded to the strap and the U section holds it all together. This makes a super rigid setup and will not bounce around.

Mark...

[Advanced Design]

Nice fitting work Mark. Exhaust should be muffled with three of them!

[reaper71]

Yes, it should keep it pretty mild for the little one's riding in the back!

Mark...

[reaper71]

Pic #1. the exhaust all painted and installed.

Pic #2-5 The Body finally was finished and picked up in Texas from the guys doing the coating. It feels like the deck of a skate board! Pretty cool...

Mark...

[RockinKees]

Deck of a skateboard?
You mean like the skin of a shark...like sandpaper??

One question tho: Why the last muffler? It has to be that quite?

Prettty good looking exhaust I must say!

[Advanced Design]

Nice! Do you have any idea how much the coating cost? Just curious about an alternative body coating process.

[reaper71]

Yes Kees, like sandpaper...it's not real thick material but super durable.
The 3rd muffler was a request by the owner because he has 2 5yr olds and the truck will be ran primarily without the top on (going to Florida) and wanted it fairly quiet.
It is solid mounted so it will NOT move at all under harsh conditions!

Mark...

[reaper71]

Doug, As far as the cost of the coating goes I never asked but is is pricey!
I do know that a vehicle that is assembled is around 6-8 thousand to coat do to the labor involved.
This one was all apart (which they loved ) so the cost was less and since it was on a cart it was alot easier for them to move around etc.
(I was told they really wanted him to leave the cart!! )

Mark...

[RockinKees]

Ah, okay, that explains it
Will it be painted or just the coating?

[reaper71]

Just coated. they have 200 different colors to choose from.

Mark...

[reaper71]

Pic #1. A close up of the coating.

Pic #2. Was able to get the body and chassis back to the shop any ready to set the body on.

Pic #3. Using the chain hoist's It was pretty painless to get it set in place.

Pic #4. Body on and ready to start on the steering.

Mark...

[dug224]

Beautiful build! Signed up....dug

[reaper71]

Thank's Dug..

[reaper71]

In this post I am showing the mock up of the new steering column (Ididit)

Pic #1. Using 2 1/4 exhaust tubing and welding a large washer on the end and opening up the hole to fit the shaft from new column. (The column will fit into the tube) It is also showing the modified stock mount.

Pic #2. This was the O.E. lower mount that comes through the firewall.
It will be cut on the orange line to allow the tube to go through.

Pic #3. Here is the new modified upper mount, new column and the lower mount set in place.

Pic #4. In this pic it shows tube extending through the lower mount.
The reason for this is so you can slide the tube in or out to adjust the depth of your column to the dash, once you have it set weld it in solid and your new mount is done..
Myself and Dad (Oldman3) have used this kind of setup on 8 different builds and keeps things very clean looking and really strong.

Mark...

[Advanced Design]

That is a clean lower mount, Mark. I remember that from your orange truck build. The chain hoists on the I beam has got to be really handy. Wow, your shop looks really busy!

[phillip123hastings]

Everything looks good for now. Keep up the work!

[reaper71]

Thank's again Doug!
Yes the hoist makes it really easy to lift body's,bed's Etc. off with ease and is alot safer for one person.
The shop has got a bit busy lately with these two in here and a 70 corvette in the basement and A 38 chevy coupe just came in Friday night!
My nephew was supposed to be here from Michigan to help out but has had A minor setback, so for now it's just me.

Mark...

[reaper71]

Thanks Phillip

[reaper71]

Quick update...

Pic #1. The mount all welded in and final.

Pic #2. We felt the orange was a bit much for this rig...

Pic #3. After some wrinkle black and masking.

Pic #4. The final product.
What you Guy's think?

Mark...

[RockinKees]

Beautiful work on the columnmount! Hadn't seen it yet

The wrinkle black is nice, but I liked the Chevy orange also.