Not much to update on the build. I pulled the engine to finish up welding the motor mounts and radiator support. I then decided to start rebuilding the front suspension so when I drop the engine back in I can get a feel for ride height. Im just about ready to reassemble the left side. Something I was taught back when I sixteen on doing drum brakes always do one side at a time so you can use the other for reference. This is how I've taken the approach here. I have the service manual and my 84 mighty max also, but it's much simpler to just glance at the other side of the truck if I'm questioning fitment.

All bushing, joints and tie rods are being replaced with Moog components, always had good luck with them. I wanted to stay with rubber bushings up front to keep decent ride quality, the rear will be energy suspension in hopes of controlling wheel hop amongst other things.

I am replacing the stock coil springs with Moog's heavy duty 2278s they have one more additional coil and the coil diameter is around 1/16 larger. Spring height and diameter look to be the exact same. My stock coils have had a 1/2 coil removed but, here's a picture for comparison, they arrived black and I added some blue paint.
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I will be changing thing up down the road with drop spindles and gen 2 brakes. Does anyone know if the upper control arms from gen 1 and 2 are interchangeable? I like the idea of having rubber bushing in the upper control arm. So, as things are now this is what it looks like.

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