Tie Rods and Front End: How difficult?

[j1970GMC]

Hi Guys,

When I grab my steering bar (where the outer tie rod ends screw into) I can rotate it about a quarter of an inch. I assume this means that I need new tie rod ends? I'm not sure about play left to right since I don't have a jack or stands right now. The truck is a 1970 GMC 4x4 with a Dana 44.

How difficult is it to replace the tie rod ends, ball joints, and drag links? I'm thinking about buying some tools to do it all at once as this truck has me going broke sending it to the shop, and I don't want to keep dealing with these parts going out one at a time.

I am going to buy a lift and some jack stands. What special tools do I need? Do I need air tools? This truck has been one thing after another, but I'm trying to keep my faith alive....

Any help and suggestions are greatly appreciated as well as thoughts on the difficulty of the tasks mentioned.