While the kingpins were out and I waited for new ones, the frame got cleaned and painted behind it. Same for the spindles and the axle ends. The front springs appear to be fine, so they are not getting replaced right now. The bushings are tight and when I greased them old grease came out immediately so they appear to have been lubed correctly. In this process we also checked all the steering parts and they appear to be tight and smooth.
I had debated whether to deal with rear shocks right away or not, but decided that I had some time while I waited on the kingpins that FedEx lost so I might as well put them in. The old ubolts came down from the top and clamped under the spring with the shock mount on them. Since I moved to spring plates above the axle, I had to go a different direction with the shock mounts.
I got a set of weld-on adjustable mounts and got them in. Once the kingpins showed up, I got them installed as well and got the front put back together and looking sharp.
The booster and master cylinder went in smoothly with the custom proportioning valve mount. At this point, I need to run new hard lines, bleed it all out, and it should be ready to go.
I got a couple spools of stainless hardline, but just plain cannot get it to flare without cracking. Given that winter is *rapidly* approaching, I broke down and ordered some cunifer to replace it.
My next plan is to finish the brakes, get them tested/solid, then probably move it to the side lot for the winter.
The next thing that really needs to happen is getting it all rewired. I found a great deal of harness damage that needs resolving. Depending on how long the snow holds off, that might or might not happen this fall. I plan to convert to HEI while rewiring it all.
