Front axle is back under the TJ. I set the bump shock installed & lower control arms are tacked together. Started on the tie rod & brackets. Was waiting on the primer to dry so I cleaned up the knuckles, bored out & installed the tie rod flip inserts. Not sure if they're supposed to be welded in but I did it anyway. Went to take off the pitman arm but couldn't get it to budge so I'm just going to ream it out in place for the larger drag link end.
Also had a slight issue with the springs but was able to prevent any accidents.
Front control arms are TIG welded up, because TIG is my favorite. If anyone was to use MIG I would re recommend leaving a root gap. It was a pain trying to fit everything in the front. I may still need to modify the exhaust a little. I also got all the brackets welded in & finished up with the track bar. Next up will be getting the wheels back on so I can setup the steering. Then paint everything.
Control arms are painted & somewhat adjusted to at least get the angle correct. Got the skid plate installed as well. Had to make minor adjustments with the exhaust but I got everything to fit. I also got the insert welded to the pitman arm but setting up the steering has been delayed.
I attempted to get the ball joint delete kit installed but it doesn't look quite right. I'm no expert but I think I may have the wrong ones.
Front axle is coming together nicely. Got the ball joints, knuckles & axle shafts installed . I even managed to reuse all the little dust shields from the old axles. Next up will be brakes then figuring out the steering.
Brakes are installed with only 2 minor issues. I managed to trip the threads on the passenger knuckle. It wasn't my best repair job but it seems solid.
I removed the knuckle to work on it more easily but when I put it back on I managed to cross thread the lower ball joint. Thankfully only the nut was ruined. I was able to chase the threads with a die & throw on a new nut.
I had bought some extended brake lines from rough country which had a strange banjo bolt end. Instead of being round it was a square. It wasn't a huge issue, just needed a notch cut into it to clear the little lip at the connection. The old hard brake lines on the rear wouldn't work with the modifications so I bent some new ones. However, I ran out of time so I still need to bleed the breaks.
