76 C10 bushing kit recommendations (and suspension upgrades)?

[Funstuie]

Hey all

I’m looking to buy a bushing kit as all the rubber is either decayed of cracked and weathered on my truck. It all needs replacing. Is there a good option for a kit?

Also I would like to replace the shocks and I’m looking for comfortable ride over style. Any recommendations?

It looks like nothing has been replaced since the 90’s (if at all) on this truck, so I would like to give a little perk me up.

76 c10 stepside.

[Justins76]

Stay away from polyurethane. Rubber is just fine and gives a better ride for a daily driver. I got a cab bushing kit from LMC Truck and the suspension bushings are all from Moog.

[billlopez]

I rode in my friends with Bilstein shocks. Really firm ride if thats what you like.

[LT7A]

Well, they say everybody has their own opinion. I have replaced rubber bushings with polyurethane on a handful of cars and noticed a subtle improvement in handling if I was looking for it but never thought of it as an increase in harshness. More durable as well.

Bilstein usually has comfort and heavy duty shocks available for each application. The comfort configuration has been the single biggest improvement I've noticed in suspension rebuilds.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Personally I am a big fan of PST poly graphite pieces. Personally I have never had one of the several sets I used squeek.

If your looking for better handling out of your truck. Move the lower A arm forward 1 inch, and I believe lower the upper 1/2 inch. Then toss on the usual suspects, and it really wakes up the truck in that department.

[69heavychevy]

I used PST polygraphite bushings because I kept hearing how good and squeek free they were. Well after a few thousand miles they are squeeking. It's not terrible but it's noticeable. Yes I did use plenty of grease when I installed them, and yes I torqued them down with the suspension loaded. Funny thing is on my leaf springs I used the regular red energy suspenion polys and those are squeek free.
If I had to do it again I'd just use moog rubber bushings and call it a day. I didn't really notice any difference in handling characteristics from rubber vs polyurethane on my truck.

[MikeB]

I installed Energy Suspension poly control arm bushings on my 82 C10 last year and love them. In fact, whenever I replace any kind of suspension bushing on an old car or truck I use Energy Suspension. They are easier to install, don't deflect as much as rubber (which means better handling), and will probably never crack. And I've never had them "creak" in past installations. Of course I always follow their instructions and use their silicon grease.

If the ride is more harsh, I haven't noticed it. And it's a pickup for cryin' out loud, not a Cadillac!

BTW, I used Moog ball joints, tie rod ends, Pitman arm, and idler arm. It's the only way to go, IMO, and not too expensive at RockAuto.com. Most of the "kits" use crappy parts.

[Pontiac1976]

For me rubber or Energy Suspension. The new one now have changed for the better over the 20 years.
But if you are lazy do not do yearly maintenance of cleaning/lubing or if you do lot driving or the roads push the body lot and your in a hot area you may have to lube every 6 months or more if they are working. the less they work the longer they lube last.
I like the feel in my Pontiac that I did late 80's I had to replace a few As in the early years I did not clean lube enough because I worked them a lot in a 4200LB car it can harsh. Oh rust will eat at them they do some movement bare metal start rust like sand paper. Did my truck with Energy Suspension. My truck is harsh with 9Leafs spring so it Truck like stand in a bus and ridding in it hold on and love it. lol

[jkk]

Go MOOG and be done

[RedBed]

I just bought all the parts you are talking about, including KYB shocks and coil springs. Priced it all at RockAuto and the prices were good, but shipping was high. I ended up getting everything (all MOOG) on Amazon (Prime).