What size sockets do I need for front suspension swap?

[AustinBelair]

I'm going to a salvage yard that is an hour away to get all the suspension off of an 80's pickup or Suburban and I already have probably 100 pounds of tools packed. is it all pretty standard sizes? I am removing:

A-Arms both sides top and bottom with spindles etc attached
All steering parts
Sway bar and brackets if any
Power brake booster and lines if needed
Possibly the steering column and other parts as possibly needed or wanted.

I don't have access to a truck to see or know the sizes I need.

Thanks guys!

[Captainfab]

If you take sockets from 7/16" thru 15/16" that will cover everything except for the balljoint nuts. I don't remember offhand what size those are, but you can usually get a crescent on them. I want to say that the lower nut takes a 1-1/8" wrench, but I could be wrong.

[AustinBelair]

Thanks, Captn! You reminded me to find my pickle fork!

[hd74]

what do have to get the rivets off of sway bar.i have used cordless drill with cobalt bits ,and hammer and chisel. Sometimes they can be a bear

[scottofksu]

How about some chain and a padlock to isolate the coil spring?
I recently spent way to much time in our local pick-and-pull trying to do this on a 79 Chevy. One thing I found is that you might want to take a cordless drill with a bit small enough to drill out the rusted cotter pins... I ended up getting the center and drag link, but I got stuck on the lower ball joints as I as my crescent wrench was rounding the lower ball joint castle nut. I ordered two sockets (a 15/16 and a 1") and neither fit and I couldn't find any information on the internet about what size socket I needed (thanks Captain, now I know!)... When I finally went back to get the spindles they had crushed the truck the day before...
Good luck! Be careful!

[suxtobu65]

Pitman arm is 1 5/16" socket, unless you plan on taking the steering gear box too... lol

[McCoyAZ]

Wouldn't it be easier to have them just cut the front end off and load it in your truck?

[AustinBelair]

Okay we're back and got a load today. I think we got a good deal. My brother and I got from an '84 or '85:

Front upper and lower A-Arms Left and right
Spindles
Springs
Calipers
Rotors
2 newer brake lines
All of the steering parts and components
Steering gear box
Power brake booster from a different vehicle

All for $110 and they pulled the parts.

[jonzcustomshop]

having them pull the parts was probably worth the $110!