Ok, picture time.
Once I got the onboard air sorted out and installed I was able to move onto my steering. I went with the Dirtbound Offroad heim steering over the CavFab only because it was about $40-60 cheaper shipped. I've been happy with the few things I've received from Dirtbound thus far, although their communication and shipping expediency could be improved.
Painting the steering links
I did manage to break my 5/8 drill bit on pitman arm, so that sucked. Otherwise it was a pretty straight forward install.
Jump ahead and here it is on the Jeep.
Once that was done I mounted the front wheels/tires and then moved onto finishing up the re-gear on the 8.25 out back. Ron's Machining Service promptly shipped my new gears to me and once the incorrectly ordered ones got to them they called me right up and sent me a refund. I'm very happy dealing with them.
You have to grind the teeth down on 4.56 and numerically higher gears with the 8.25 or you won't be able to get the cross shaft in or out, as its a c-clip axle that is a problem. One thing I like about the factory limited slip is that it has a smaller cross shaft, so there is a little less grinding. Still, this grinding of the ring gear and that its a c-clip axle is why I personally refuse to run a locker in the 8.25 when running 35's. I've also always had good luck with the factory trac-lok limited slips, plus they're easy to rebuild.
And in the axle.
I didn't take a picture apparently, but I also installed a Solid brand differential cover onto the 8.25 rear.
I got it finished up on Saturday, the day before the Spring Creek run with the chapter. I decided to test drive it and make sure it was good to go by running over to Trent's house to pick up my spare 35 and some spare 8.25 shafts. I then drove to another buddy's house in Firestone and bs'd with him for a bit about his Early Bronco project, and finally drove it down to Thornton to meet up with a friend and catch the Carnage on Larimer car show.
Spare tire "fits" in the back.
Jeep in front of my friend's house in Firestone and ready to go to Spring Creek.
Because I wasn't sure if I was going to need to trim more up front I removed my windshield washer bottle from under the front fender before Spring Creek. My trimming and bumpstopping turned out to be just right however and I was able to put it back in. I also decided that I like the spare tire sitting where it is so I'm going to make another cross bar/hi-lift mount for behind the back seat that will also have a support for the tire. I'll add better tie-downs and use my 3-point tire strap too.
After I got back from Spring Creek I decided to finally add some front tie-downs to my friend's trailer. I sold it to him a few years ago for pretty cheap with the understanding that I can use it pretty much as needed. I also try to do maintenance on it when I have it to help him out.