Ok, got more time in the garage today. Other than needing to modify the I beams to not give me such negative camber, the b*tch is back together. I bought a set of axle flip brackets that fit my 9" rear end, and allow me to set my pinion angle, and now it is back together correctly with new matching shocks for the lowered height.
New brackets, right after I set the pinion angle, but hadnt tightened the U bolts.
Then everything all snug.
I had to cut everything off the front, as it was fused together from 1985...
With the new shocks and I beams bolted in.
I didnt take any pics of the fun I had installing new ball joints, but here was the fun of torching the sh*t out of my tie rod ends to get them loose and able to get my toe back in check. For now, they dont make noise so they arent being replaced.
Side project for giggles... I put in a 160* thermostat to get the temp to stay around 190* during summer driving. It still sits around 200*, so why not cut some heat extractor vents in the hood. (Hey
@madmike1157 , I finished this one this time) I might go back and rivet on some small pieces in front of the vents to create lift over them, but for now we will see it helps at all as is.
And my next project (after fixing the camber) is to cut the fenders open to the size of the F150 fender trim I bought, which will allow the truck to turn/handle at this height without rubbing issues. But here she sits as is, able to turn the steering wheel one turn in each direction before rubbing.
She is starting to look a little more like the hot rod I pictured when I bought it.