If your truck is that old, I would start with the easy stuff. Replace all of the tie rod ends and make sure that your wheel bearings are tight. I did this and it tightened my truck up from about 4" of dead zone to about 1.5 inches. When I was in there I found a loose wheel bearing and all the...
Also, if you were overheating that badly once you get it running again and back to civilization you should look at replacing the fan clutch, flushing the system and throwing in a new radiator.
So you definitely ordered canvas-cordura, right? Their website shows the material as having weird vertical creases...
I'm getting ready to order:
Toyota Land Cruiser (1997) (Front)
Canvas-Cordura - Tan (Tailor Made)