When I say scout I'm referring to that type/style of box, to include fj60 and 80. I run scout because I have a lot of j**p friends who used it's axles and the steering boxes were given to me.
My 1st scout conversion was done because the po hacked in a sag conversion out frt and butchered the frt crossmember. I was continually repairing it. Finally it was beyond repair. I had to replace the crossmember and scab/strengthen the left frame rail, then adapt the scout box. I like the...
I adapted both my 40s with scout boxes. The problem with the scout and 60 boxes is they're getting pretty scarce, 80 boxes are easier to find. I've read many posts where folks have been using 80 boxes with good results. I think adapting these types of box is a better and cleaner setup.
That's a scout box. A 60 and 80 box set up is similar. Scouts are getting scarce, 60's are getting old. There's a ton of info using the search function.
I'd remove everything. The steering shaft is pretty hack. You might consider a fj60,80, scout box conversion. It probably won't interfere with the winch.