More parts for the pile....

As I hinted at in my last post, I have collected some more parts for my pile of parts. As some people might know, I've searched the vast interweb for years looking for an affordable 78-79 Ford HP D60 for a long time. I've found some and every time I've had the deals fall through or some one would beat me to it. Frustration set in and I decided to compromise. I told myself that if I could find a 78-79 Ford HP D44, then I'd go that route as well and just settle for being 3/4 ton instead of 1 ton. To my dismay, those axles are also hard to come by and go quickly. They are quite a bit more cheap though. I hit craigslist and found a F250 that was being parted out. Not just any F250, but a 79. I immediately called the guy and told him that I would take the front and rear axles (even though I already had a read 60 in the pile). I got them for a pretty reasonable price and with some help, I got them home to the pile.

I can now scratch off axles from my parts list. How ever relieving this may sound, I can now add more stuff to my list. I plan on ordering a TnT Customs truss and brackets for the front axle to get it bolted into the Jeep. Any old TJ brackets will work for the rear for the time being. Locker are a must. I don't think that I can go back to open diffs after being locked front and rear. I've toyed around with the idea of throwing a set of Spartan lockers in the axles to hold me over until I can afford some selectable lockers. It wouldn't be any worse that the two Lock Rights that I have right now. I have disc brake brackets for the rear to weld on so that I can run rear discs. I'd love cutting brakes while I was at it. I couldn't really use them right now as I don't have the ability to twin stick my t-case, but why not get them out of the way while I have to redo my brakes? Better to do it once than twice, I think... I need to regear them as well. I'm up in the air about the ratio right now. All I know is that I lack the tools and know how to do a proper install. I need to find some one to educate and help me with that one. I think I am set on a Jana 54 kit. Yup, 50 R&P in a D44. Why? Because I'd hate for the R&P to be the weak point after I decide to splurge a my next tax return on a set of RCV shafts. Well, that's if my wife lets me.

Any way, I'm really excited that at least two more things are crossed off my big list. This is going to be a really slow build, but at least its moving. One step closer to one of my major life goals. Build a decent Jeep and wheel it on the Rubicon... It feels good.