Front end rebuild questions?

[epfatboy]

So I was thinking I was going to rebuild my existing UCA/LCA's. I did a little reading here and unless I'm going to road course the truck, which I'm not, there appears to be little value to tubular UCA/LCA's.

My other option is just buy the Moog replacements.

Any one have pro/con to rebuild vs new? Do the new Moog's offer any value?

The goal is 3 season driver. I have a 3/5 drop now and plan to add front and rear sway as well.

One thing to note is the rear drop is a axle over leaf kit, the front however is a "torch" drop spring. I plan on a spring/spindle drop for the front while I'm re-building as well.

I should also mention the rest of the front will be rebuilt as well, pitman, Idler, tie rods....

[Gdub310]

By the time you R&R the old bushings and ball joints with new and clean and paint the arms (if you plan to do that), the time, sweat, and skinned knuckle investment usually justifies just replacing them with new assembled arms if you have the $$ handy.

[bennylava]

I recently finished completely rebuilding the front suspension and steering on my 87. No moving part was overlooked, including the steering box. Feels like a new truck, I never knew these trucks could ride this nice.

It will be difficult for you to find quality lowers, and if you do they're too expensive imo. I couldn't find any when I went looking. All I found was cheap stuff that did not seem like something I would trust. I just got the moog bushings and ball joints, and had a local shop press them in. Saved me about $200 each, in my estimation.

For the uppers, they weren't too awful expensive for AC Delco Professional from Rockauto. So I went that route. Saved the stock ones to rebuild and swap out when the ones on the truck now are finally worn out someday.

[epfatboy]

Found lowers but way to pricey. Went with a bushing rebuild kit for the uppers and lowers and Moog ball joints. Also bought a duplicolor rattle can of flat black, that way I can "paint match" the rest of my under carriage every spring to clean her up!

One question I have is with the front spring, as previously mentioned the previous owner hit the spring and collapsed a coil to drop the front. I'd like to drop the front the right way but not sure if that is a drop spindle OR drop spindle/spring combo? any thoughts?

[epfatboy]

Holy crap.... 44 year old bushings do not like to come out of control arms! Got them out but man they did not want to go! Everything was seized up.

[68longhorn]

This thread got me looking... Holy crap! Why are LCAs so much money?

[epfatboy]

Crazy money for the LCAs. They must know bushing removal is dam near impossible! Mine may as well have been welded in. Honestly took 2 hours to remove the bushings from my passenger LCA

But it looks good when done!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Fy3mgSngB1fJ7r2I2
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[epfatboy]

Now I have to do the drivers side.....
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