I know this doesn't seem to show much, but actually, it's a big step
it means the pinion is in permanently and I can measure for driveshafts and axles (ordered the axles on Friday, will order the driveshafts on Monday)
so the rear springs from a rubicon are a bit soft, but the front springs seem to be pretty close
you'll note my multi-colored zip ties which hold the shocks in place
so this picture is more for the driveshaft folks, but the driveshaft is 19 1/2" long, it has a 23* angle (max 33*) but the pinion and the output are 8* opposite each other which brings the actually degree difference to a reasonable 16* (for a short wheelbase 4x4, that's doing pretty good).
I'll pull the rear differential out in the next day or two and paint it.... gotta be pretty too
front hp 44.... the fronts are 1310 u-joints... I figure that's the cheap fuse in the system - I may have to scallop the cross member for clearance - if I do, I'll add a mid-hoop just so bad things don't happen if the u-joint breaks
twin stick too
now we're getting somewhere
no picture of the first of the brackets welded in place - but it is and I have to fab a couple inner brackets then paint the weld away
on to the bare metal - spray with phosphoric acid
then rinse
same with the hood
I also got onto removing the cowl vent... I figure I'll get that done, ground down, then cut the dash and dowse it all with epoxy primer... maybe tomorrow after work I'll get the rear differential painted and the hood too. The side panels need to be cut and I'm putting different markers in them so there's a bit of fab before they get primered, the tailgate is going to be a one-piece that hinges at the bottom with a ladder attached to it that will double as a molle panel