15-Jun-2014
Head pipe coated and installed
I had my head pipe ceramic coated just as I had my headers coated. I installed some header flange gaskets that are "supposed" to not leak.
15-Jun-2014
Top view of head pipe
Here's a top view from the driver's side of the head pipe installed. A new bung was welded on to accommodate a new three wire O2 sensor. The head pipe collector hugs the frame nicely as it opens up into a big 3" exit.
15-Jun-2014
3" collector back to the muffler
I had a piece of 3" aluminized expanded to slide over the 3" collector and a nice wide stainless steel clamp will keep it tied together.
15-Jun-2014
3" tube back to my muffler
The 3" tube is about 40" long and it hugs the frame rail nice and tight all the way back to the muffler.
15-Jun-2014
Another view of the 3"
Here's a view from the back showing how the 3" tube hugs the frame rail all the way back.
15-Jun-2014
Muffler hanger
I used some rod and rubber style mounts to hang the bumper because this is a strong type of hanger and should last pretty good. I used two mounts to hold the muffler in place and welded them to a 1/4" piece of flat bar bent to the contour of the frame cross member then bolted in place.
15-Jun-2014
Pretty tight in the back
The muffler is slightly turned to get it up high and to clear the rear driveshaft.
22-JUN-2014
Battery box
Since I am going to run two batteries, I picked up a battery box from Ballistic that should suit my needs well.
22-JUN-2014
Support brackets
I needed to make some supports to support the weight of two batteries. I tied into the backing brackets for the new heater that I made when I made the new brackets for the heater.
22-JUN-2014
Battery box installed
After installing the battery box and then installing the batteries in the box, I found that more support was needed to prevent the battery box moving excessively while on the trail and eventually cracking.
If the Jeep were to only be driven on the street then the mount would be fine but any bouncing off the beaten trail would stress the mount so a design to strengthen the mount is a must.
22-JUN-2014
Upper support brackets
Adding a support bar on the side of the box that bolts to the body made the box not move at all. I went one step further and added a support bracket that comes off of the lid of the battery box.
22-JUN-2014
Battery box ready for powdercoating
After a test fit with both batteries the box is rock solid. Unfortunately the box is too large to fit into my powdercoat oven so I will contact a friend that has a powdercoat shop and have it coated there.