The last few days I've been able to get the panhard bracketry figured out and made, as well as the bar itself.
Frame side. This will get more welding and gusseting after the steering box comes off again.
Axle side was a bit trickier. I was able to get the panhard straight, but the bracket had to stick out pretty far forward, as well as above the axle tube. (and still leave room to get a wrench in behind, to tighten the nut)
For the track bar, I used 80 series bushings, machined tube to press them in, and some 7/8-14 B7 allthread.
Same thing on the other end, but not adjustable.
Angles match pretty well between the drag link and track bar. This is approximately ride height.
Full Left steering lock, the tie rod comes close to the bracket.
Full compression, panhard comes close to the frame. Less than 1/4" of clearance...but the bumpstop would be metal-to-metal, as if the rubber were completely removed.
Full compression on the steering box side, at full lock. This is where I was initially worried about the oil filter--turns out it's a non-issue.
Full compression, panhard gets close to the oil filter tubing, the oil pan, the passenger side frame...everything is tight. But fits!
I made some axle-side shock mounts that turned out pretty nice...but these will go in the scrap bin.
I had to made new ones that drop down 1" to clear the radius arm bolt.
The new ones installed. Upper shock mounts will wait until I'm done with the steering stuff.
Steering shaft is cute. Combined parts of the 80 intermediate shaft with parts from the 100, and a little chunk of 1" tube.
Installed. I need to add a bearing to the firewall....it's on order.
And resting on it's own suspension for the first time. Using stock 80 coils. It's a bit lower than my target, which is fine--lift springs are easy to source.
The front end is only about 3/4" taller than when I drove it in.
