Just a small update. Built a front diff cover out of some steel I had. Cut it to make it bend easy around the housing.


Used cardboard to mock up little pieces.


Tacked together


I took it off and jigged it so I could weld the cuts and it wouldn't warp. Cut a little notch so water would drain out then put it back on the housing. Now I was building it to be a shield and not actualy touch the housing (just welded at top and bottom) but I looked online and saw that some people weld theirs to the thin steel of the housing. Not sure what is the best way to do it.


I cleaned and painted the housing, and replaced teh kingpin bearings & races. The seals aren't fastened yet because I have to get a fish scale to check the preload.

Everything is tacked together the way it will end up, and this is the last mockup to make sure nothing binds up in the steering. Should be good to go...




Let me know if you see anything that might not work as I'm going to weld everything up this week. Pitman arm is directly above draglink on droop but it gives a few inches of clearance at full turn when compressed. I can't rotate the box forward as I am at the absolute max interference of where I have to rebuild the front body mount or any semblance of one. I think with the steering box moved so far forward I shouldnt have pitman arm interference.