Well I've been driving the jeep for a few weeks now with no real issues. First day the front calipers locked up on me, no big issue an hour later I was able to install new ones. But while I was down there I discovered both front axle u joints were bad. Not blown up bad, but knocking around a bit. I tried repairing one side but after about an hour of heat/lube/hammer to the front hubs with no success due to the amount of corrosion and rust I said f*** it, I'm buying a new axle. So I've been driving the jeep every day to the beach and around town just waiting for the joints to finally go boom. In the meantime I've decided to try and locate a set of 44s out of a rubi. Not easy, but I don't want to go through the hassle of a 8.8 swap then another dana 30 swap up front and gearing and welding and brakes and so on. After all the welding I've done to the frame I'm feeling a bit lazy.
So while I'm waiting on the deal of a lifetime I'm going to louver the hood and try to get rid of some heat. And if anyone knows a set of axles laying around in the central Florida are let me know.
More to come soon!