So it turns out the front axle disconnect is, in fact, borked. There are a few(?) bearings growling, the passenger CV shaft has excessive play, and the fork doesn't engage all the time. The actuator is working as it should but will be replaced anyway because the new one comes with it. So a new disconnect is in Snailblazer 2.0's immediate future. I plan on buying a complete unit and *just* swapping it in there when time and weather permits. Remember that time that it's -40 with the wind? I do and it sucks hard.
Also in the cards for Snails is a set of longer end links from SuspensionMaxx, front and back, due to the less-than-ideal angles produced by the lift on stock links. The rear sway bar will smack the diff when getting on the gas from a full stop.
Then, as I was pondering the complexities of the universe, an idea smacked me straight in the cerebral cortex: thanks to a comment left by HARDTRAILZ, I started searching for used Jeep bumpers and stumbled across this little gem that will find its way into the mix:
It's Canadian, it's either a kit that has to be welded or can be purchased whole with paint...and wait for it...it's 250 dollars (for the weld together kit)! The fact that it's something I can have put together on the truck is alluring because I can fit it on there as close as possible and control the angles and gaps and whatnot. I foresee this mod in the spring, possibly after tax time. Thanks Kyle!!!!
If anybody is interested I can ask the fabricator I used to build the adaptor brackets if he can make up a bunch, I hate the idea of stealing any business from MDBFab but for some of us up north that option isn't viable. For the brackets and bumper, unassembled, would be ~$450-500 CAD and the options for JKs are fucking ridiculous.