How cold is it supposed to get?
Have you been doing all these repairs in a heated space? I've been tinkering with my new-to-me winter beater Echo for the last couple of weeks, sitting/laying on cold concrete. Fun!
Today was the last big push - it was a couple of degrees above freezing at the end of the day, so I went for it. Still had to come in and warm the fingers a couple of times.
PS: I love your sliding license plate grille block. James Bond-ish ecomodding.