1971 K20- project just get driveable!!

[Vintage Windmills]

First off, I got the front axle in, so that's good. Nice to have lockouts and intact axle shafts!

I also had to grind the rivets off the one upper shock mount since they were loose. I replaced with 2 UNF 3/8" bolts.

Then I lost a couple battles this weekend.
The first is the driveshaft is too short to connect by about an inch when the axle is hanging down. I verified the springs were symmetric and they are. I am going to put a '72 front driveshaft on. They are about 2 inches longer for some reason! Here is a pic, the top yoke is off the ochre 71 and the one in the middle is off the 72 rusty parts truck. Not sure what the bottom was from. Notice how the front yoke portion is a longer on the 72. The main body is also longer than the 71. I wanted to just swap front portions but the 72 front is too tight on the 71 main body.



The axle looks like its where it should be, about halfway between front and rear of fender opening


Second battle I lost was with the shocks. The fronts have 9 inches of travel and only about 3.75" of that is usable between resting height and fully compressed. I'd like more like 5-6 inches of compressible travel. Similar situation on rear. I ordered these per Summit's website with a search filter of 2.5" lift. Guess I should have just ordered stock height. That would give me about 6" of compressible and 3" of extension which seems ideal.


Also thinking I should trim the U bolts down some. Speaking of them, I need to find a torque value for them: