While the tubs were being welded and I had a free hand, I was able to put together the rear wheel assembly. Installed new Nolathane bushings on the leaf springs, front/rear and leaf spring shackles. I reused the existing shackle pins and front eye pins but replaced the 4x bolts at the front eye mounting with new high tensile 8.8 bolts. I should also replace the U-bolts and nuts in the future as they seemed a bit quirky putting together. I have a feeling they came from another car or were meant for lowering blocks as the thread is really long.

All painted nice shiny gloss black.

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Any easy way to confirm I have a H145 diff? I would rather have the H165...vroom vroom.

Trim the sharp edges from those trailer guards but use seam sealer or sicaflex on the seams/joins. Its paintable.

Looks ok and gal ok for salt roads but pita to weld. Mild steel much easier.

Pictures of repainted engine crossmember installed, wiper motor, and the engine bay. The engine by was already painted by the previous owner. However, you can see the Raptor liner on the front rails and in the transmission tunnel.

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Any issues with re-using engine mounts?

Nup not if they are in good condition

Well they were a bit dirty, what do you look for in condition?

Cracks play inthe top plate etc
Dirty won't matter

I didn't check rubber mounts for play but I might do next time.

The next part of the build I pulled off the 5 speed gearbox from The General and prepared the A14 and the gearbox to go into the shell. The A14 was already complete clutch, flywheel, alternator, oil pump, etc. etc. All I had to do was realign the clutch (cause I took it off for a look) and bolt the 5 speed on. With the help of a borrowed engine hoist a friend of mine also came over to give a hand putting the motor and gearbox in. It was the first time I had ever done this on my own.

The motor and gearbox went it fairly easily. I was quite surprised how easy it is to put the two in together as one unit. (Should have done this to reinstall my spare gearbox in The General) The tricky part was getting the 60a gearbox (which I believe is a bit larger) to clear the top of the transmission tunnel. It did scrape a bit of paint off but I put a towel behind the motor to try to avoid any further scratching. Then it was a matter of lowering the engine and jacking up the end of the gearbox at the same time to try and get the motor level.

Once I figured out that the gearbox needed to be jacked up a bit, as the motor was lowered, it made the install much easier. I reused the rubber engine mounts but replaced the nuts with new flanged nuts. I even thought of using lock nuts instead. I have been re-using a fair bit of the bolts and nuts. I hope that's okay to do.

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