Builds 1978 FJ55 BATPIG (6 Viewers)

[gonzopancho]

1”x2" .120“ wall tubing to span across the floor for bracing. Roughly splits the difference fore and after of the stock brace.
Mark it now. When body comes off they will go full span. Fixed forever after that.

 

[gonzopancho]

Starting the exhaust. Installed the Remflex 7009A gasket. As anticipated this pushed the header a bit toward the DS frame rail and steering box.

Going to have to dimple the header (fortunately: before ceramic coat).

 

[gonzopancho]

The good news is that there is good clearance for the O2 sensor.

 

[gonzopancho]

Isolation is key to preventing rattles. relocating the heat shield to under the driver's floor pan. Where it was seems kinda useless. Will fit a new, stock-looking heat shield under the rest of the exhaust where it runs under the first and second row. Will add some insulation as well.

 

[trainbufftony]

Nice! You've got a nice 6 cylinder tractor engine there, oink oink
Carry on.

 

[gonzopancho]

First section tacked.

 

[PabloCruise]

Cleaned up a few decades of ****ery

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What in the name of all that is holy...

 

[PabloCruise]

Working the dented rear floor back into place.

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I really like the way these guys work!

 

[PabloCruise]

Floor is back in place … 95%. Was crushed down 1/2" in areas, now 3/16" roughly. Still very flimsy in the main area. It will bend again if I crawl into the back. Mr. T did a small brace where they needed a big cross sill.

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The PO definitely used the cargo area of that Pig...

 

[gonzopancho]

Welding starts tomorrow. If all goes well should have majority of the exhaust done this week.

Then start the gas pedal and tunnel mod. Then heat shields.

Sleeve for inside the resonators and mufflers, so if ever they need changed, it’s simple to cut apart and swap.

 

[gonzopancho]

The PO definitely used the cargo area of that Pig...

Big girls need love too, @PabloCruise.

 

[gonzopancho]

First welds with the new (to Mark) Miller Aerowave.

Color can change with more post flow. .035 wire.

 

[gonzopancho]

Dialing in a bit more color.

 

[gonzopancho]

Outside welds lapped over, no purge welding required, but butt welded sections get purge welded.

 

[gonzopancho]

Apply Scotch-Brite and it’s clean & purdy.

 

[gonzopancho]

Nice! You've got a nice 6 cylinder tractor engine there, oink oink
Carry on.

it's pretty nice. 10:1 compression, Carillo rods and pistons (over 1lb/cylinder saved), 4.4L displacement, Sniper EFI and Hyperspark electronic ignition, so "timing control" (no mechanical or vacuum advance) is enabled. @FJ60Cam's secret regrind on the cam, a nice three angle valve job, a bit of port matching, and the best (IMO, grin) exhaust header available.

 

[clrussell]

Apply Scotch-Brite and it’s clean & purdy.

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Man I love stainless welding.

 

[gonzopancho]

Man I love stainless welding.

To quote my brother (RIP), "(stainless) welds like butter."

 

[PabloCruise]

Big girls need love too, @PabloCruise.

These guys know what's up...

 

[bobm]

Dialing in a bit more color.

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Just a suggestion! If your seams are tight, just Fuse weld them without filler rod! You'll be amazed with the results