OK, it's been too long since I have updated this, sorry. We did end up making cab mounts for the stacks. It was the least invasive looking. I think we might have to do a muffler, hoping I can eventually talk Brian into it - I think he is kinda leaning that way too though. He was a little bummed about how loud it is inside - but we don't have all the sound deadener in and no carpet/padding yet, so those things should help.
For the cab mount, we made brackets that bolt to the cab (with a big backer plate that has nuts welded to it, and it is tacked to the inside of the cab). Then there is a piece of conveyor belting bolted between the cab bracket and the stack bracket.
The exhaust is 'done' though - and we can move onto other things.
We also got the fender supports done, which meant we could install headlights!
Headlights make it look like a totally different rig!
Here is a short video of Brian driving it - he put a few miles on it driving it around and around the block. Click on the pic of the new log truck and it will take you to the video. Doesn't the DT look TINY next to the log truck?!!!
It needs regeared before it goes highway speeds. At 2000rpm, it is only 48mph and he doesn't want to run it more than 2000rpm.
Mini car show at our house! Haha. Brian's friend dropped by with his little what-used-to-be-a-fastback VW.
The 1'' body lift blocks gave us pretty much enough tire clearance. We have a TINY bit of rubbing on the back half of the right wheel - only when turning to the left sharply. We might be able to flatten the inside of the fender roll enough to completely take care of that though - it has like a 1'' fender roll, very thick. Otherwise, it drives straight and true and there is zero wobble in the steering (up to 48mph anyhow, that is as fast as we have taken it).
We need to get some more sound deadener before I can finish upholstering the back 'wall'. So, on our list to get done before insurance/renew registration is:
1)regear rear end - we have another carrier we got from a guy who works at Randy's Ring & Pinion for the 3.73 gears, we just need the gears and install kit. We are unsure if we should try this ourselves - it is a ''corporate'' 14-bolt and it has 5.13 gears now. Should we try it ourselves?
2)mudflaps - we will probably go with something very simple because they will be temporary. Brian wants to do a fender ''pod'' on the back - the rear of the frame will end up getting cut shorter at some point in time. He wants swooping fenders similar to the fronts. I want aluminum semi-truck fenders. It is a give-and-take on this project though, haha.
3)front blinkers (we have temporary brake/turn lights installed/working in rear). We just have to come to a decision on WHAT to get for lights there.
on our wish list is a park brake for air brakes somehow. I think Brian has it in his head how he wants to do it, but hasn't conveyed to me how he wants to do it (well enough for me to look for parts anyhow!)
Oh, and a Jake brake. Gotta have one of those. So expensive though.
20180602_082310 by Karin Vail, on Flickr
20180916_094218 by Karin Vail, on Flickr
20180916_094236 by Karin Vail, on Flickr
20180916_100026 by Karin Vail, on Flickr
20180916_180824 by Karin Vail, on Flickr
20180916_180834 by Karin Vail, on Flickr
