FXing things up: the build thread

Exhaust:

Since I live in California, I fall victim to smog laws. So for me that means no long tubes or cat deletes. So I picked up a set of JBA Cat4ward headers which are Cali legal. This has been one of my favorite upgrades. Here's pics from the install.


























Before
2004 Roush Supercharged F150 Stock exhaust w/ 3in…: http://youtu.be/hL4E8TC4pJs

After
2004 Roush Supercharged F150 w/ JBA Cat4ward head…: http://youtu.be/_5hP-NijkgE

I still need to get this thing over to JBA to put it on a dyno and dial things in. It'll sound better once I do.

 

It's been a learning experience haha. There's definitely been some points during this project where I was convinced I was in over my head.

 

Looks and sounds great.

 

that header install went pretty smoothly? I just know if i did it i'd snap studs or strip things and it'd turn into a 2 week project and it wouldn't be worth it in the end I also just hate how no matter what the 5.4 3v is such a quiet motor while idling. my old 4.6 with a flowmaster could be heard from inside the house over the tv haha

 

nice!!

 

It was a PITA doing it in a driveway. If you have access to a lift things are 100x easier. I took my time knowing it would be a pain and it still took me 4 days about 6 hours each day (it was about 95 every day I was working on it too so I was working slowww). I was expecting that I would snap at least a couple studs, but for once I had good luck (which is surprising cause I'm king of breaking s**t) It also helped that I sprayed everything with PB blaster the day before to get everything nice and loose. IMO, this isn't worth the time if you're putting them on a stock engine. Long tubes would be a more worthwhile buy for an N/A engine, and if I didn't smog my truck then that what I would've gotten.

You're totally right too. I hear more chain slap and injector tick than exhaust noise at idle. My 97 with shorties and Flowmaster would rattle windows at idle.

 

Stereo/ interior:

So I've decided to take a little break from any engine or suspension work while I pay off my credit card and get some cash so I can get it on a dyno (JBA wants. So in the mean time I've started a new project. Its a work in progress, so input and advice is appreciated.

Like I said before, the person I bought this truck from though he was going to build an awesome Baja trophy truck, before he realized it was out of his abilities. When I bought the truck it was missing the jump seat, and has a bunch of random holes everywhere for switches and what not. Eventually I will replace all the molested body panels and make everything look stock again. Here are some pics of what I did to the truck within the first couple months of buying it.






Now I've got other ideas. I've been thinking about a flow through center console with a sub between the seats, cup holders in the middle, boost gauge, AEM, SCT livewire and switch panel mounted in the front (kinda where the 3 gauge kit is now), and a cig lighter on the back for the back seats. Here are some pics of the project so far. Obviously things will start looking more natural once I start fiberglassing everything.





I'll be posting more pics on this once there's something worth showing

 

Looking great.
Suggestions:
Wrap that in synthetic leather.
Rear DVD/separate audio unit w/ wireless
or plug in headphones for back seat
passengers, secret compartment,
LED lighting.

 

Looks like a fun project. LED lightning would really accent the console and make it the center piece. Especially if you plan on adding a livewire into the mix.