New 4.2 Ute 'Hexie'

[Cuppa]

You are going well. Two thoughts.

Yes that heat shield is essential with a 3"pipe. It can take a long time for the damage to occur, but when it does, as in my situation you can lose your clutch at the most inopportune time.

Nice job with the sound deadening on the floor plan ,but I suggest you turf out that terrible felt stuff. When it gets wet - which it will at some point, it stays wet & stinks. Had it happen twice, once from a water leak in the rain, & once stalled in the middle of a creek. On both occasions the cab had to be stripped & the soggy stinky & now heavy felt had to be hung out to dry & each time took around 10 days! Replace it with something which doesnt soak up the water like blotting paper.