Day 7: Git-'er-done! or ("This is Going to Really Hurt Tomorrow!")
Today was all about tightening your guts out while laying on your back, up & down exercises and crap in your eyes. While I had just a little bit of fabricating to do, alternator bracket spacer, welding the steering shaft, etc., the bulk of the day was spent tightening, bleeding & lubing.
How to position & mount the Idler arm:
First, center the center link between the frame rails while securing the idler arm to the frame using a welding clamp.
Measure the driver's side inner tie rod end out from the cross-member and down from the frame.
Then transfer that measurement to the passenger side by moving the idler arm around on the frame until the two sides are equal.
Mark the holes and drill. Use grade-8 3/8" bolts, nuts & washers to fasten it permanently.
There it is - wheels on & down from the stands. For the first time in 3 years this front-end has the full weight of a truck on it. Cool!!