Gearbox is back from the shop. had a couple of hiccups trying to collect it... kept accepting shift swaps at work, and it didnt line up with repair shops opening times.
Front bumpstops/gaitor kit finally arrived from "Shop4Parts" which now means i can actually build my front end, now all i need is time.
first on the list after gearbox reinstall is timing belt, the only job im actually kinda daunted by, not sure if itd be easier with the box out... might see how much movement is in the front engine mount buuut im super wary of damaging it. at this point im not sure how far off i am of just removing the engine. didnt really wanna get into an "engine out" job.
Once all that is done, test fit the bigger wheels... welding the rear... rebushing, upgrading and rebuilding the rear... then onto diag of why i get a flashy injector light. after that its "just cosmetics" left to sort