that worked great! thanks a ton. I was able to get the steering column off, the front axle, and I got the springs off! I took tons of pictures of everything - of how the spacer was facing on the springs, how the shock absorber plates were on, everything. Now time to work on the rear end and remove all the little stuff like emergency brake cable, brake lines, etc... I found a shop about 60 miles away that a friend used that said they would give it a full blast (with something ceramic - they said that way it wouldn't look blasted), an acid bath and a full powder coat of black, 60% gloss. For $225, I can afford to truck it down there and back. thanks guys
