Front-end "hooking"

I have never understood the hatred of tie rods out in the front. As long as everything is set up correctly, and made to look nice and tidy, it just doesn't matter in my opinion. It sounds like the O/P has evrything under control and is on his way to getting his car back on the road.
As far as your spindles go, the spindles you have will work just as well as '37-'48s, provided they are in good shape. The main advantage in going with the later spindles is that the brake backing plate pattern is the same as early Ford hydraulics. That is something that if you ever wanted to fit front brakes could be quickly solved by filling and redrilling the backing plates.
I prefer excellent quality heim joints from an apperance stand point, but I'm like you and consider myself a maintance freak too. Seb Fontana up the way mentioned a product called "seals-it"... Get these! They are a steel washer laminated with a rubber seal the covers the heim joint and keeps out dust and dirt. Speed way and others sell them, and they are inexpensive.

 

Sure ridgerunner, glad to do it.

I personally like the tie rod out front look as it's how the car was built in the mid-60's.
I found out from looking at other cars last weekend that I have a Model A front end. I might swap my spindles for those 37-48's some day when I have enough cash. I like the idea of front brakes; especially since I have a pair of Airheart calipers with the brake pads ready to go, just no mounts (I'd have to make them, like everything else). They came with my car. Either way though, my next step is fixing my driveshaft angle (which will also include going from 10" drums to 11" discs in the rear).

 

Almost impossible to get the Ackerman correct, to start with.

The outer Tie Rod ends would have to be further apart
than the king pins. Not easy, especially if you run brakes.

 

True, it was a bit of work to get that angle right, but in my case, it was better than buying/making new arms to go under my blower drive... The discs in front that I have; have 3 inches of clearance before they get close to my steering arm. That clearance would vary by vehicle though of course. Either way I guess.