A little more progress lately, and overdue on pictures for sure.
The solid axle has come out and the IFS crossmember went in and bolted up better than suspected. Mom got me some belltech 3" drop spindles for Christmas and the 12 Valve Cummins has been installed. It's a very tight fit in the factory frame. The engine fired up and runs beautifully. The A518 trans is also in, but I still have to remove a sheared bolt in the rear case and fab up a new trans crossmember. The old stock dually rearend and leaves / hangers are also out and I rolled the Dana 80 into place. Highway speeds won't be an issue now. I believe the old gears were about 5.38, and the new ones are a 3.50 Wheelbase will shorten up about 16", and about the same will come off the hoist frame / bed. I'll be left with a 10' deck, which for at least the first while will be a flatdeck. Purchased some nice clear, tight grain rough cut Douglas Fir 2" x 10" from a local sawmill to build the deck with. Will be nice to get suspension all bolted in and drop the cab back down on it.
