I must be getting old

[CSTYLES]

I'm dying to hear how it all came together. Tom is a good teacher, I took loads of pictures at every step and I can't wait to tackle the job. When I get my truck back up and running, maybe we should do another off-road trip.

[tom4bren]

UPDATE:

I got so tired of seeing the Proton up on blocks in the driveway with no front end, I went out in the rain on Friday to put it all back together. OK - it was really wifey who was tired of seeing it & thumped my ears to prompt me to get'r done.

That CV outer race was really jammed against the A-arm on the passenger side. An air grinder with a cut off wheel trimmed that pesky A-arm just enough to clear the green cup. Everything went right into place after that. Driver's side is done but I still need to repack the inner CV on the passenger side & replace the LAST TORN CV BOOT I WILL EVER HAVE on the Proton.

The steering linkage was a pain in the arse to get back in place but it's done. BUT ... I messed up some threads on the passenger side stud where the smaller castle nut goes. Have you ever tried to find a M12x1.25 die? I couldn't find one so I'll be trying to fab a thread chaser out of a nut before the job is done.

OH, I almost forgot. I probed the drain & got a bunch more fluid out of the pumpkin. I prolly wasn't low at all.

My old brackets are at the welder now for the next set to be made.

The crossmember drop brackets came out very nice. I don't think I'll have any problem with it hanging down too low.

I painted the diff drop brackets and the crossmember Proton so as soon as it's all done (& cleaned up real pretty) I'll get some pix. The color contrast should be very helpful in seeing what needs to be done.

BTW - that steering linkage stud that has the threads dorked up - I tore the boot (dust cap???) as well. Guess what, you can't buy replacements. Do Not use a ball joint fork for that part, use a pitman arm puller. Luckly the guy at my local front end shop found an old spare that fits perfectly (just looks a little different). Since I got a replacement, I never called Merlin to see if he can get them.