I knew from the start it would take countless hours, and decided up front not to even try to keep track of them...
So far I think I'm happy to reuse the corners of the original firewall dent, I expect I can make it pretty seamless and appear factory at least in style. I was not expecting to cut it out all the way down to the floor, but if I ever want to remove the transmission without lifting the cab I need to make the removable transmission cover run up the sloped part of the firewall about 2 inches. I too considered a large removable cover, but all I really need is a small access cover for the governor and the slightly stretched transmission cover.
There are a number of commercial made forklift boom attachments available, and I've been looking for a deal one one for some time now. In the meantime adapting the boom from the tractor will do.
