Some updates before she can leave this shop and head to the town shop for final testing, setup and polish we needed to finish a few major things
First she was pushed outside and washed again
The rear bumper and hitch install not easy
The Kartek shackle flip brackets live directly where the hitch used to mount. They are also right where the factory bumper brackets reside.
Much thought and then some cardboard templating and I have them fitting
The hitch will actually be welded to both Kartek brackets so basically the rear spring hangers are also the hitch. The hitch acting link a rear crossmember keeping things tight and straight.
The bumper brackets had to be “windowed” to clear everything, now factory bumper can bolt in and out. These pics from mock up all parts cleaned, prepped welded painted and then re installed
At this point the rear king shocks were final
Installed as well as the driveshafts
Brakes are plumbed, air line for the arb locker went in, the e brake cables are being fabricated and more
You can see the exhaust tail pipe also being mocked up. A $30 aftermarket ranger tailpipe was used as a guide
Fog lights final mounted tight, drivers broken mirror glass replaced, winch final wired, lots and lots of little things happening