Yesterday, I got the diff carrier bearing cups out of the casing halves. Well, my father-in-law did the required welding, I just pulled the cups out once cooled. The case is now ready for painting. The second of the steering knuckles got it's coat of etch this afternoon. I would have gone ahead with the painting today, but it was far too windy, or more to the point, wind direction was constantly changing. I only wanted to paint the truck parts, not our weekday car or the neighbour's, so no top-coat today.
Got further with one of the brake backing plates, which now has the full system installed, with one exception, I don't yet have two new banjo bolts to attach the new brake hose/s. I get those Monday afternoon. I need to buy one of the brass cams that are used for adjusting the lower end or brake shoes. Looks like the former owner wasn't good with keeping his parts in the one place! I did find the required brake retracting springs though. With a good cleanup, they were fine to paint & use.
This photo may be useful, if anybody wants to copy it. The new outer wheel-hub bearing and wheel hub seal have been installed, so I can confirm the part numbers shown in the photo
are correct. Just be aware that the seal is thiner profile than the original. That suits me fine, because the contact surface (there's two actually on the new style) will now sit on a slightly different part of the shaft, and won't be sitting in the small valley created from wear of abrasion against original seal.
During the week I will be looking into having new U bolts made for the rear axle. Mine were too long and need the threads turned down about another 75mm (3"). That was to be attempted by the engineering folks, but they haven't had the opportunity to do it.