Very clean! Way to go. Give welding a try. It is pretty easy to mig weld and you will save a ton of money. Plus, no one sees your work so it doesn't matter as long as the welds are strong.

Are you going to use the diving board styled US-bumpers? If not, now would be the time to remove those heavy brackets welded on the frame rails.

Before welding the front permanently mount it with rivets or screws and test fit all the metal around it. So much easier to make adjustment if needed.

4 hours ago, Tommy said:

Are you going to use the diving board styled US-bumpers? If not, now would be the time to remove those heavy brackets welded on the frame rails.

 

Before welding the front permanently mount it with rivets or screws and test fit all the metal around it. So much easier to make adjustment if needed.

Yes I am in the process of removing those big brackets right now. Thank you for the info! 

Suggest you pay very close attention to the spot welds on the tops where the nose sits on the inner fenders.  Afficianados will be looking at that closely to detect a replacement nose.  I would try to replicate the appearance of a factory install exactly - number and locations of spot welds, etc.

Also, when I did this years ago we had trouble painting the inside of the nose.  Think about how to make the  best finish in there  you can.  Scuff all that nice black factory primer very thoroughly to make sure your new paint adheres and then possibly paint it now before you install it so you have the ability to twist and turn the nose for access.  You might even use a brush to get into some of the tight spots.

and if its a tii, remove the snorkel now.  

Good luck with it.

David