Where would I get a Front-end rebuild kit... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**COBALT** · 06-04-2002, 05:32 PM

My front-end is getting worse and worse. It's time for me to do some serious maintenance, and I'd like to rebuild the whole thing vs. just doing one side, or farting around with trying to reuse parts.

Where can I get a good all-around rebuild kit that will satisfy just keeping the truck in good shape? I don't need anything fancy, but I do want quality for a stock rebuild. No lowering or super fancy stuff.

BTW: It's a 3/4 'ton '69 C20 truck with 8 lug pattern and coils and drums.

Spoof · 06-04-2002, 08:16 PM

I know seattle is not exactly next door to Victoria, BC but if your interested I have a FREE power brake/power steering set up on my GMC 2500 8 lug. All you have to do is take the whole damn frame and bed and 307 with you when you go. Also It has a Dana 60 rear end.
When I took it off the road it drove a tight as a new vehicle, but I want the half ton ride so I'm passing on this. This offer is open to anyone on the board BTW.

**68SWB4x4** · 06-04-2002, 08:22 PM

try from the local kragan or whatever, they sell MOOG and TRD parts, and it is actually cheaper than classic performance products alot of the time

Mike C · 06-04-2002, 10:09 PM

Since the local places seem to have to order anything I need, I just skip the middle man and have the parts sent to my door.

www.northernautoparts.com

**COBALT** · 06-05-2002, 02:16 PM

Thanks for the info, but I need to know if there are actual kits out there for doing a complete rebuild on a front-end, so I can make selecting parts easy. If not then what would be a good parts list to go by? Where would be a good place to get high quality replacement parts vs. some of the crap you sometimes see out there. Since I don't have much experience in front-end work I'm forced to rely on the people who've already gone through this to give me some pointers...

Anyone?

busterwivell · 06-05-2002, 02:45 PM

I've done a few and I agree with you, fix it and be done with it. I've done the poly busings on my 2 cars, but you don't have to. I call Performance Suspension Components in Phoenix (don't know their toll-free #, but they advertise in lots of the mags)602-272-4085. They will talk you right through the whole deal. When the kit arrives in the big,brown truck, just start taking everything apart. I take the upper and lower control arms to my allignment shop and have them press out the bushings (and I take them home for sandblasting and powdercoating, but you don't have to)and have the new ones pressed in. Reassemble everything with the new stuff, and drive to the alignment rack. The first one was intimidating, I admit. It will be a lot easier the second time.

JVictor75 · 06-05-2002, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by new69owner
Thanks for the info, but I need to know if there are actual kits out there for doing a complete rebuild on a front-end, so I can make selecting parts easy. If not then what would be a good parts list to go by? Where would be a good place to get high quality replacement parts vs. some of the crap you sometimes see out there. Since I don't have much experience in front-end work I'm forced to rely on the people who've already gone through this to give me some pointers...

Anyone?

I went thru the horror of this about three months ago...

There are several places that will sell you a complete front end rebuild kit. Do you subscribe to Hot Rod, Truckin', Car Craft, or Super Chevy?

All except Truckin' magazine usually have on either the back cover or the inside of same an advert for different front end kit sellers/ manufacturers. I think the quoted price was something like $250 - $300. There is also the option of using AutoZone, Kragen, Napa, or any other parts store, but they're usually expensive.

Energy suspension also has complete bushing kits in poly instead of rubber. You can even get different colors.

**COBALT** · 06-05-2002, 03:44 PM

Thanks again. Yes, I have been looking through the mags to see what kind of advertisements there are out there, but I feel so damn overwhelmed to call any of them and start looking. I'll pick up a Super Chevy or a Classic Truck every once in a while, and you're right they do have some pretty nice adds from fabricators that specialize in this type of thing. I guess I'm after a stock rebuild kit with a little "new and improved" thrown in.

The Poly idea sounds good. Rubber just isn't cutting it with all the moisture and grease. I'll check out some of these names you guys have mentioned and see where I end up.

Hutch · 06-05-2002, 03:49 PM

This is the page for the company that is on the cover of many magazines.
They will send you a catalog for free.
They really don't specialize in our trucks but do offer kits for them.

No affiliation or knowledge of this company just passing on some information

http://www.p-s-t.com/

**68SWB4x4** · 06-05-2002, 04:00 PM

www.classicperform.com

tom hand · 06-05-2002, 04:49 PM

The only thing I would watch for is quaility. A lot of the kits contain no-name crappy parts. I would simpley go to NAPA or another parts store you trust, tell them what you are doing and have them whip out the parts book. Your shopping list should look something like this. Upper and lower balljoints[both sides] Inner and outer tierod ends[both sides] Upper and lower A-frame bushings[both sides] On the A - frame bushings, you can buy just the bushings or a kit with the bushings and the shaft. If you don't have time to tear it down before hand, to inspect the shafts to see if they are worn, bite the bullit and buy new ones. An idler arm, and a pitman are should finish your list unless you have a front swaybar and then you will need 4 rubber bushings for it. If you have changed the front to disc from a doner truck, be sure to order parts for the year truck you got the parts off of. Now here is the fun part, if you live in a part of the country that does NOT use road salt, this is an easy weekend job for the do it your selfer. I have never even had to press to get the lower balljoints out in this part of the world. If you live in a part of the country that DOES use road salt and the truck has lived it's life there don't even start till you borrow a torch and learn some new cuss words. HAVE FUN!

red71cheyenne · 06-05-2002, 05:13 PM

When I rebuilt the front end on the 71, I got all the parts from JC Whitney. They had kits, but I just went with all the parts separately cause it was cheaper. The only thing they didn't have was the center link brand new. Jeff.

06-04-2002, 05:32 PM	#1
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Where would I get a Front-end rebuild kit... My front-end is getting worse and worse. It's time for me to do some serious maintenance, and I'd like to rebuild the whole thing vs. just doing one side, or farting around with trying to reuse parts. Where can I get a good all-around rebuild kit that will satisfy just keeping the truck in good shape? I don't need anything fancy, but I do want quality for a stock rebuild. No lowering or super fancy stuff. BTW: It's a 3/4 'ton '69 C20 truck with 8 lug pattern and coils and drums. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

06-04-2002, 08:16 PM	#2
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	I know seattle is not exactly next door to Victoria, BC but if your interested I have a FREE power brake/power steering set up on my GMC 2500 8 lug. All you have to do is take the whole damn frame and bed and 307 with you when you go. Also It has a Dana 60 rear end. When I took it off the road it drove a tight as a new vehicle, but I want the half ton ride so I'm passing on this. This offer is open to anyone on the board BTW. __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

06-04-2002, 08:22 PM	#3
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	try from the local kragan or whatever, they sell MOOG and TRD parts, and it is actually cheaper than classic performance products alot of the time __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

06-04-2002, 10:09 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	Since the local places seem to have to order anything I need, I just skip the middle man and have the parts sent to my door. www.northernautoparts.com __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-05-2002, 02:16 PM	#5
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Thanks for the info, but I need to know if there are actual kits out there for doing a complete rebuild on a front-end, so I can make selecting parts easy. If not then what would be a good parts list to go by? Where would be a good place to get high quality replacement parts vs. some of the crap you sometimes see out there. Since I don't have much experience in front-end work I'm forced to rely on the people who've already gone through this to give me some pointers... Anyone? __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

06-05-2002, 02:45 PM	#6
busterwivell Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sahuarita, AZ USA Posts: 2,033	I've done a few and I agree with you, fix it and be done with it. I've done the poly busings on my 2 cars, but you don't have to. I call Performance Suspension Components in Phoenix (don't know their toll-free #, but they advertise in lots of the mags)602-272-4085. They will talk you right through the whole deal. When the kit arrives in the big,brown truck, just start taking everything apart. I take the upper and lower control arms to my allignment shop and have them press out the bushings (and I take them home for sandblasting and powdercoating, but you don't have to)and have the new ones pressed in. Reassemble everything with the new stuff, and drive to the alignment rack. The first one was intimidating, I admit. It will be a lot easier the second time. __________________ Bill - Tucson, AZ 47 Chevrolet 2 dr sedan 56 Chevrolet 210 2 dr sedan 66 Chevrolet Malibu 2 dr 4 speed 71 Chevrolet C30 Longhorn 86 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sold) 01 Chevrolet Tahoe IM - BUSTERWIVE@aol.com

06-05-2002, 03:44 PM	#8
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Thanks again. Yes, I have been looking through the mags to see what kind of advertisements there are out there, but I feel so damn overwhelmed to call any of them and start looking. I'll pick up a Super Chevy or a Classic Truck every once in a while, and you're right they do have some pretty nice adds from fabricators that specialize in this type of thing. I guess I'm after a stock rebuild kit with a little "new and improved" thrown in. The Poly idea sounds good. Rubber just isn't cutting it with all the moisture and grease. I'll check out some of these names you guys have mentioned and see where I end up. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

06-05-2002, 03:49 PM	#9
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	This is the page for the company that is on the cover of many magazines. They will send you a catalog for free. They really don't specialize in our trucks but do offer kits for them. No affiliation or knowledge of this company just passing on some information http://www.p-s-t.com/ __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

06-05-2002, 04:00 PM	#10
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	www.classicperform.com __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

06-05-2002, 04:49 PM	#11
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	The only thing I would watch for is quaility. A lot of the kits contain no-name crappy parts. I would simpley go to NAPA or another parts store you trust, tell them what you are doing and have them whip out the parts book. Your shopping list should look something like this. Upper and lower balljoints[both sides] Inner and outer tierod ends[both sides] Upper and lower A-frame bushings[both sides] On the A - frame bushings, you can buy just the bushings or a kit with the bushings and the shaft. If you don't have time to tear it down before hand, to inspect the shafts to see if they are worn, bite the bullit and buy new ones. An idler arm, and a pitman are should finish your list unless you have a front swaybar and then you will need 4 rubber bushings for it. If you have changed the front to disc from a doner truck, be sure to order parts for the year truck you got the parts off of. Now here is the fun part, if you live in a part of the country that does NOT use road salt, this is an easy weekend job for the do it your selfer. I have never even had to press to get the lower balljoints out in this part of the world. If you live in a part of the country that DOES use road salt and the truck has lived it's life there don't even start till you borrow a torch and learn some new cuss words. HAVE FUN! __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

06-05-2002, 05:13 PM	#12
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	When I rebuilt the front end on the 71, I got all the parts from JC Whitney. They had kits, but I just went with all the parts separately cause it was cheaper. The only thing they didn't have was the center link brand new. Jeff. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.