I actually hadn't installed the upper shackle bushings on the front end, so I set about that this morning. Had spent some time looking around online for any example I could find of how it's done, since I don't know what I don't know and that's a good way to find out. No luck, so here's my experience. First, set up some kind of heat deflector above the driver's side upper, because torching it could catch your wiring harness on fire if you don't. Other than that, I just heated the center sleeve, twisted it out, cut off one side of the rubber, and knocked it through from the outside with a screwdriver. There was no outer sleeve, which was a relief, because I had set up my reciprocating saw and discovered it was not going to fit before I got started.
So that one's in place. Stopped there, since my favorite neighbor came out to let me know what he thought of the sound of bushings being tapped with a hammer. Figured since I was rolling around in the dirt anyway, I'd get a pic of the transmission mounts I did a couple days ago.
My undercarriage is beautifully seasoned, like an heirloom skillet. I had wanted this thing for awhile and finally decided I was willing to buy once and cry once. I'm happy with it. Good purchase.
Yeah, I know, plywood or something. Haven't got any. The truck can't push this jack frame through the sand. My house is built on it. It's fine. Anyway, I found some kind of sprung push retainer on the driver's side floorboard yesterday and I don't know what it is. It could have fallen out of the steering column when I was tapping the lower column onto it. That's my only theory. Does anyone recognize this thing? Thanks in advance if you do.