The holidays really slowed things down. Getting back to work now!
Tires
Ended up going with 295/75/16 BFG A/T's. I've had a couple sets in the past and will likely never get anything different.
The tire shop mounted them on my SCS F5's and scratched/chipped paint on all four wheels at the hub after i begged them to be extremely careful. Really really sucks adding that to the list of issues to solve. But all that aside, here they are.
PCK Install
Picked up a PCK from @eimkieth and welded it in on Christmas day. Came out pretty good and I'm excited to feel the ride difference once this thing is on the road.
Strut Reinforcement Plates
Also welded on some strut reinforcement plates that came from @eimkieth as well. I don't think I really needed them but can't hurt right?
Spindle Builds
I ordered the TC spindle gussets and welded them on before sandblast. Everything came back from sandblast/coating yesterday so I got right to more press work.
There are a few write ups on the forum on this job so I'll just keep what I did simple.
1) Press in new bearings:
*Use one of your old bearings as your press tool as to evenly distribute force over the inner and outer races.
2) Install new snap ring and outer dust shield:
*You can work the new snap ring in by hand, no need for and kind of pliers.
*use a small piece of 2x4 and tap the outer seal into place. Mine were
especially difficult to press down evenly.
3) Press in new hubs:
*Be sure to support the inner race of the wheel bearing from the bottom
when doing this.
4) Drop in ABS rotor
5) Gently press the spacer in with the bevel facing inboard. The spacer should be free to spin on the hub and independently of the ABS rotor.
6) Install inner dust shield
7) Check for and kind of binding or inconsistencies. These are big a** bearings. They should rotate smoothly with a light resistance when spinning by hand.
Enjoy some clean and proper knuckles!
As an aside, I generally opt against using any kind of grease on interference fit components. I made an exception here and use the slightest amount just to aid in assembly (hopefully won't need to aid in disassembly!)
Just waiting on a special tone ring tool for the rear axles and then I'll finish the press work on those. Lots of itsy bitsy busy work in the meantime.