71' (gonna be) a one of a kind custom

[71' Custom]

The shop is now up and will soon be ready for business



The plan is to get it wired and insulated next

[swamp rat]

Sweet!

[71' Custom]

Update! I have finally been able to order a couple of parts. Got the alternator and compressor ordered and will hopefully have them here by the end of next week. I had to switch from using Summit to Jeg's. Summit has built a warehouse in Arlington, TX so everything I order from them is now taxed. With Jeg's, the prices are about the same and still free shipping but it seems like they carry nothing in stock. Everything is drop shipped from the manufacturer.

[71' Custom]

Update time!
Alternator and compressor are installed.

[71' Custom]

On the previous page I talked about a customers CJ Jeep. This thing is so clean I just have to share it. I put the FITech on it, new cam, new springs and seals, and we rewired the entire Jeep with a painless kit.

[71' Custom]

I also, after these pictures, installed a new set of fender exit headers and totally fabricated an exhaust system for it. It sounds killer!

[71' Custom]

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

4L80E with whole shot lock-up converter and a 2000 stall!

[71' Custom]

This is going to look sexy as hell on there

[71' Custom]

So I have been doing a lot of work in the shop this weekend. (My weekends are now Sunday and Monday) I got the electricity hooked up in the shop now. Finishing up all the wall plugs and running the 220 plugs along with the lights. Then it is on to the insulation and interior walls. Somewhere in there will be a lift too, lol. But anyhow, I did manage to get some work done on the truck too. The transmission is all installed and the torque converter bolted up and the transmission pan installed. Still have some work to do with the transmission cross member though. All in all, for me, it was a pretty productive weekend.

[71' Custom]

On another thought, I have started to ponder the idea of running a single driveshaft. Consider this, the original transmission was a TH400. The 4L80E is quite longer. And the engine itself is sitting 3" back as well. I positioned up the front driveshaft I was using with the 700R4 that I had in there and after I shorten it again, it will barely be over a foot and a half long. Along with the fact that it has been lowered. It seems like there would be enough room in the loop for suspension travel. What do you guys think?

[BossHogg69]

It's more about the total length of the driveshaft than anything. As you increase the length, the diameter of the d.s. needs to be bigger to maintain the strength - 3.5" or 4" is probably what you're looking at for a one piece for a lwb. What's the measurement from output shaft of the trans to the pinion on your rearend? Some shops won't build driveshafts over a certain length.

When you factor in the increased diameter, I don't know how that all fits in the stock x-member, as I don't have one to measure. I'm running a PB Fab x-member with a 3.5" driveshaft and it all fits okay, lowered 5/7, but mine is swb. I'm sure you could run a string from the trans to the rear, take out the rear springs and cycle the suspension to see what will or won't work.

[71' Custom]

Yeah, after measuring from the tail shaft to the diff, it would be almost 5 feet long. I think I would be better off sticking with the 2-piece shaft. In other news, I have built a dolly for my cab so I can easily move it around in the shop. And I have scored a 4 ton A/C unit for $500! My shop will have central A/C and heat!

[knomadd]

I just installed a one-piece 3.5" aluminum shaft in my SWB. It fits fine, but I have a POL crossmember, so there's less clearance for the shaft down low on the crossmember, but otherwise it fits fine. There was no way a 4" shaft would fit in the factory crossmember, and not likely to fit in the aftermarket ones like the factory style. Ignore the air management hanging above it. I hadn't finished mounting everything yet.

[71' Custom]

Got out to the shop this holiday weekend, got a few small part for her. Got the transmission cooler lines, the trans yoke, and some brake line parts. But the big news, I got the engine started back up for the first time since we moved. I didn't get to run her for very long though, need to hook the radiator back up. I also realized I have no idea what happened to my oxygen sensor when I moved too. Had to order a new one. I will try and post up a video next week if I can get the radiator back in by then.
I had been hooking up lights in the shop when I took advantage of having a ladder above the truck so I decided to snap a shot.

[71' Custom]

This here is what is left of the first gauge panel that I made for the truck a long time ago.

I cut it in two to use the two pieces as a template.

This is going to be the gauge panel that I originally wanted to make.

And this will be the inlay for it.

[71' Custom]

Hey guys! Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. Life has been really crazy. My wife and I both quit our jobs at the dealership at the end of the year in 2018. We decided to open our own shop. We decided to use the shop we had built here at the house. We were rolling along, had some struggles, but hanging in there. But then back in January of this year I ended up in the hospital with really bad stomach pain. Turned out that I was diagnosed with colon cancer. So this year was especially tough. I am doing much better now though. With everything though I had to get rid of my daily driver. But that prompted me to get my 71 together. The big update is that the engine I built is no longer going in the truck. My wife found me a 2nd gen Camaro for really cheap and I plan to put the engine in that along with a Muncie 4-speed that I have acquired. That project is on the back burner for now though. I wanted to put an engine in the truck that would be ideal for pulling my trailer for my business. I found a guy with a big block 396 he was wanting to sell. I bought this engine for $300! It is pretty much stock and later down the road I will do some upgrades but for now it'll do the job.
https://m.facebook.com/JKCustomshop/...pe=3&source=54

[71' Custom]

I forgot how to post pictures on here (it has been a while, lol) there are more pictures and even a video of me starting the engine for the first time on my business Facebook page. If you couldn't tell, it's under JK Customs.

[dnd1978]

Nice build.

How do you like your new shop? Why did you go with the galvanized? Are you happy with it just now? I really need to build one but I’m stuck between poll barn and galvanized.

[71' Custom]

Originally Posted by dnd1978

Nice build.

How do you like your new shop? Why did you go with the galvanized? Are you happy with it just now? I really need to build one but I’m stuck between poll barn and galvanized.

I love the shop, I do wish I had gone bigger now though. And would like more doors. I went galvanized because here in Texas, it will last 100x longer than wood.