Definitely install the pivot ball....before you install your clutch disc and pressure plate. Add a little chassis grease to the spring area of the fork so you won't have any squeaks when you push in the clutch. It takes a little finagling to guide the fork into place (up from the bottom) once you've got the spring inserted into the fork. You're going to have to fish around, holding the fork from the outside to get it into the groove in the throwout bearing. Once you get this lined up you just pull to the back of the truck to snap it onto the pivot ball. With the spring snapped onto the pivot ball, the fork will stay in place and you can install your linkage and make your initial adjustments. Be sure to use a pilot to align your clutch disc...don't grease the pilot bushing and be sure to support the sm420....if it gets away from you you can damage the disc. It's a heavyweight so be careful.
I built a little 2x4 frame with a boat winch that straddled the opening in the cab...allowed me to raise and lower it from above by myself. Have some pics in my "Shoebox" album. Hope this helps.
Dave
