My only "update" is that the rear end has been ordered from Kugel -- and the appropriate deposit sent to SAR... so work should be cranking up here shortly if not started already.
I was reading the threads on the "full floater" rear ends - ala Matt and Gonzo... and I was chuckling to myself. I'm not sure what those bad boys run - and I'm certain they're expensive - but a fully chromed out "show" rear end like the one I just ordered is an OMG! Worse - it won't improve handling one dang bit!
Oh well.... it's "hot rodding" right?!