well its not over yet.
I didnt get any time to work on the truck till today, my adopted son (not really, he is 23 and I would adopt him if he would let me though) got an 1800 dollar quote on some front end work on his daily, we did it in the driveway for $270 in parts!
but I did get a little done today. got the rest of the front end put together and back on the ground.
for anyone interested, I recommend these MOOG end links very highly. the method of assembly is superior to the stock type and even the energy suspension type, the bottom nut has a long thread and you assemble it from the top to the bottom. you can almost tighten it up with one wrench!
I had to stop "paying it forward" (stealing parts from the next donor in line) so today I hit a bunch of hardware stores to get the shock speed nuts and various bolts and nuts. then I pulled the gas tank and rear axle
the gas tank looks like complete trash and I bet the pump is plugged or ruined from sucking that trash through. luckily though, craigslist to the rescue! $30, recent pump replacement, totalled truck. woot!
I did a bunch of wire brushing on the frame, and cut off the axle u bolts as the last thing tonight.