Pictures and progress reports:  Updated 04/06/02

    8/11/01 - Finally found an axle!  Three days and six Pick 'N' Pulls later...

    Axle ID chart borrowed from www.wilsons4x4.com.

    Cleaned up and ready to be rebuilt.

    8/14/01 - Cut off the old shock mounts.  I think my neighbors hate my grinder.  Called Parts Mike today and ordered my flat top knuckles, hi-steer arms, D44 rebuild kit, U-Joints, etc.  Mike is a really nice guy to do business with.

    8/15/01 - Got new brake parts.  Removed old wheel bearings and cleaned up the hubs/rotors.  Painted the hubs and the axle housing.  Waiting for new bearings seals, etc.

    8/20/01 - Replaced the u-joints.  I used the socket and BFH method.  I also had a grease gun incident and made a huge mess of the garage.  F%#^% Mondays...  Here's a really great writeup on replacing u-joints.  http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/ujoint_install/

    09/08/01 - Made the rear shackles.

    10/02/01 - Made the crossmember for the inboarded rear shocks.

    10/03/01 - Made the weld-on shock mounts for the rear axle.

    10/04/01 - Installed crossmember for rear shocks.

    10/19/01 - Made the front shackle hangers.

        10/20/01 - Made the front crossmember for support when the IFS crossmembers are removed.

            10/21/01 - Fabbed and installed the front spring hanger.

    11/10/01 - Made the front shackles.

            12/01/01 - Finally figured out the correct shackle placement, driveline angle, and amount to have knuckles rotated.

    12/03/01 - With 6 degrees of caster, and a pinion angle to point at the transfer case output (dual case setup) the knuckles need to be rotated about 14 degrees.

    12/18/01 - Cleaned up the Chevy springs to swap in the rear.

    12/18/01 - Got the front axle re-geared

        12/21/01 - Re-built the axle, new bearings, seals, u-joints, brakes, etc.

            12/22/01 - Made the front shackle hanger frame plates.

    12/28/01 - Installed the Chevy tapered pitman insert.

        12/29/01 - Welded up the rear spring hangers.  Put them 7.5" forward of the stock ones.

                12/30/01 - Installed 63" Chevy springs in the back.

            01/05/02 - Why does it always rain when I need to work on my truck???  Made the frame plates to mount the IFS box.

    01/06/02 - Made the front shock mounts.

        Finished the frame plates and sleeves for the steering box.

    01/17/02 - Finished the front shackle hangers.

        01/18/02 - Started removing the IFS components and TM lift.

        01/18/02 - Lifted the rear 3" and installed front leaf springs.

        01/18/02  - Fabbed a crossmember where the swaybar used to be.

        01/18/02 - Disassembled the factory CV type joint and made the steering shaft into a single joint shaft.  This is hard, and really sucks.  If I had it to do over again I would just buy a shaft somewhere.

01/20/02 - Axle swap day, wahoo!!!

            01/22/02 - Installed front shock hoops.

    01/22/02 - Reinforced the spring hanger and relocated steering lines.

    01/22/02 - Painted all exposed metal and tightened all bolts.

            02/09/02 - Notched the transmission crossmember to fit the front driveshaft.

                02/10/02 - Extended the differential breathers and painted the tie rod and drag link.

        02/26/02 - Fabbed some adjustable front shock mounts.

            Tranny crossmember version 2.0

    03/01/02 - Extended front shock mounts.

        04/06/02 - Installed steering stabilizer.

[ mike@toy4x4.net ]