Update. Woot! not ideal but I'm back under full power.
Decided this morning, being again some good weather, to go ahead and install the front bushings. I obviously was anxious about it but must say they went in without a hitch. Thanks to some tips from this thread. I think the key was getting the rear wheels off the ground. Just some minor adjustments with the jack supporting the rear assembly and I was able to hand thread the front bolts back in.
After getting the front bushings in and torquing the three sections I decided to again take a stab at getting the cross threaded bolt loose. To my surprise it started backing out fine. Being I didn't have a new bolt or tap I just decided to see if I could drive it home even though cross threaded. It took some effort and time but I managed to get it in, and tight, without any further damage. Obviously not ideal but I'm going to run it as is. I will eventually take it back out and do the tap and new bolt but it will be in fairer weather.
I'm so happy!
