I got the front lighting look I wanted using front combination lights from a Suzuki Samurai. The lens is beveled and I thought the lights looked best with the bevel at the top so I have the lights flipped vertically and swapped to opposite sides. I’ll use LED bulbs for better output. I ordered another set of Hella 7″ reflector housings to install at the inboard headlight locations.

I installed a new quick ratio power steering rack. The ‘refurbished’ rack I got from eBay for mockup was sprayed black (including the used tie rod boots) but there was little evidence that anything else was replaced and the inner tie rods felt worn. On the side of caution since I was installing a new steering pump, I bought a new steering rack to avoid the risk that there was contamination in the rack. I installed the electric power steering pump and made a pressure line using Russell Powerflex braided hose and stainless ends. I covered the line in heavy duty heat shrink so that the stainless braid wouldn’t wear through anything if it was rubbing. For the low pressure return I used a barbed fitting I had lying around from another project.

I tested the steering pump using alligator clips to the battery and it works and is easily able to turn the wide R-compound tires. I’ll finish the wiring once I have a circuit breaker of the correct rating.

I installed a new brake master cylinder with a larger 1.25″ bore which should be the correct size for the pedal ratio and front caliper piston area. The pedal feels firmer and hopefully I have better brake feedback on the road.

I had new Toyo R888R tires installed and they are holding air, unlike the cracking old tires. Before installing the power steering pump, I tried turning the steering with the new stickier tires and steering effort was very high so I’m happy with my decision to prioritize the power steering.

One of the bulkhead fuel fittings on the tank is loose so I need to remove the filler and fuel pump hanger assembly to tighten the nut before I take the car out again. I’ll use a fuel proof thread locker on the fitting so it doesn’t work loose again.

I want to drive the car a little bit more this year before I strip a lot of it apart this fall to paint the front and rear frames. When I reassemble the car I’ll install a new wire harness because the current wiring is a little haphazard and troubleshooting would be difficult.