Front Suspension Questions

[edmonton72]

I am going to start to work on my front suspension soon. I want to replace everything that should be replaced since I have the truck all a part now. I was wonder what parts would need to be replaced abd how to do it. Thanks in advance.

[Billla]

Boy, that's a really broad question - the short answer is anything that needs to be replaced Part of the answer needs to be your budget and goals - are you doing a perfect restoration or a working truck? Have money to burn or want to spend the minimum to have a safe truck?

IMHO, if the stuff looks rough overall I would plan on keeping the spindles (if you're not lowering) and the a-arms and consider everything else junk (or another man's treasure). There are some pretty comprehensive front-end rebuild kits from CPP (http://www.classicperform.com/) and others that give a pretty good indication of what should be replaced.

Post pictures on the progress!

[edmonton72]

I plan on using the truck as a daily driver, so I want the suspension to work smoothly. The parts I am thinking of replacing are like the ball joints and tie-rods ends and stuff like that. Are these kind of parts availabe a parts store like NAPA because I can get a discount with them through my school.

I don't have to many pictures of the truck but my cousin does so I will try to get some from him to post.

[edmonton72]

Does anyone else have any advice for me. I want to get working on it soon.

[Tx Firefighter]

All of the parts are available locally. Moog is by far the best quality stuff. My local parts store stocks all the stuff right on the shelf everyday.

Complete would be upper and lower ball joints, upper and lower control arm bushings and shafts, all 4 tie rod ends, idler arm, and pitman arm. That would be 100 percent of the wear items replaced.

Usually, ball joints and idler arm are minimum for any truck with some miles on it. The tie rod ends and control arm bushings seem to last longer and often don't need replacing.