Well, finally got her buttoned back up today after months of doing other projects/taking trips, etc.
Re-assembling the xfer was not a big issue at all, just follow the FSM and use the torque specs. I do recommend that you take the crossmember and drop it about 2-3 inches to give you good room. Also, re-install the front driveshaft and lock the hubs so you have some resistance when you are torquing down the rear case bolts (first go around: 65 ft/lb, loosen, then tighten to 72 ft/lb). FIPG is kind of a mess doing it on my back underneath my rig. Keeping the thrust washer's in place was also a slight challenge (I used some grease and they held in place just fine). All of the bolts receive Locktite Blue (medium strength). All housing bolts were torqued to 27ft/lbs. Everything went together quite reasonably actually. No real issues, just lowering the stock cross member which is totally hacked up on my rig....go figure.
No pics because really disassembly is the fun part. The welded center diff rear case worked great so far of about 100 miles of testing at slow speeds/highway speeds all in 2WD. Then I did a few miles with the center diff locked/front hubs engaged in 4H and no issues there as well. I did put her into 4L and everything went well there, though I do want to do a local wheeling trip here soon (day trip) to really test out the strength of the case.
Overall, I am very happy and getting underneath the rig with it in 2H and spinning the front driveshaft was way cool.
I feel so old school now.
Anyway, that's about it for this thread I guess. I will add more thoughts about how it drives as a DD and in 4L situations after some more miles, but at this point I am very, very happy with this modification (some might argue a "step back" but I disagree) and look forward to hearing other's results as well since there were numerous people who did the group buy on Mark's kit.
In terms of cost, the break down was roughly this:
1. Birf Machining: $100
2. Used hubs/rebuild: $100
3. Gear oil: $5
4. FIPG (Toyota red stuff): $10
So for about $215 I was able to transform the rig into a PT case.
Now, the intangibles: my labor time (who cares--this is too fun); machining of a spacer out of "ultra high molecular density" plastic: Kris will have to address that as he took the lead on the design and machining process (thoroughly repeatable). Of course, the welding of the case: probably about $100 at a metal working shop, or do it yourself like Kris did.
Anyway, Kris will be doing his rig soon as well, so we'll have two rigs like this on the road from this episode running UHMW plastic spacer and welded diff.
Thanks for watching.
-onur