Well coming up soon, I'll finally have time to do some work to the truck over break, and the first thing on my list is to replace some of the worn out front end components. The trucks sitting around 64k now with everything factory besides the upper ball joints and shocks. I have no doubt that the lift and 35's have probably worn everything else out by now. And I figure while I have the front end apart to install my 1.5" leveling kit I might as well replace those things too.

Here's what I have so far on the list:

1. Lower ball joints
2. Inner/outer tie rod ends
3. sway bar bushings
4. Rear shocks
5. New alignment

That's what I have so far, all parts will probably be moog, and the rear shocks I'm open for ideas. I'm considering bilstein 5100s like I have in the front but I'm just not sure I can justify the price of them right now. Any ideas/suggestions of things to add or take off the list would be greatly appreciated!

 

I have Pro Comp ES3000 Rear shocks on my truck right now and I love them, the ride is so smooth,

and 4wheel parts has a set of 4 at a good price
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...ShockingES3000

 

Yea I saw those on their website, I only need rear shocks though because I replaced the fronts like two months ago ha. But after pricing them out the 3000's were like 38 a piece and the 9000's were 40 haha so I figured if I go with procomp I might as well spend the extra 4 bucks and get the higher series ones.

So I just got on rockauto looking for parts, and the sway bar bushings come in sizes from 25mm to 35mm, is there anyway to check to see what size I need or am I gonna have to take a tape measure to the sway bar? haha

 

Don't forget to check your idler and pitman arms.

 

How would I go about checking those? That way I can just order all the parts at once and do it all at the same time.

Nevermind, just googled it looks like I'll be replacing those too haha.

 

You might as well. If all the other stuff is worn out, then odds are that they are due as well.

 

good call... on them pitman arms tho get a pitman arm puller. cuz hot dog they are a bitch

 

yea im going to jump up to 4000s when i lift mine again, and you may just have to take a tape measure to it i think its a 25mm last time i looked for mine

 

Man truthfully unless any of it checks out bad when you shake the front end down then I wouldn't touch it. The shocks are a good idea. But if the ball joints, tie rod ends, and pitman arm check out good don't touch them. At 258,xxx only one ball joint and my pitman rod have had to be replaced. Now given the truck is still stock

 

just because the outside looks "Pretty" dont mean the inside looks just as good, it like women they look good on the out side but some of em on the are ugly. haha no offense to any body

 

I know the ball joints are bad, as well as I have a popping noise when I turn which either again points back at ball joints or idler/pitman arm. As well as the steering is starting to get sloppy.

 

All of that could be just the ball joints. I'm not saying its a bad idea to do everything I would just save your money if some of it isn't actually bad. Do you know how to shake the front down and check what's bad?

 

Yea I looked up how to check ball joints, idler, and pitman arm. Tie rod ends I'm not sure how to really check, I was hoping my Haynes manual would be able to point me in the right direction. I do know the bushings around them and on the front swaybar are starting to look really dry and cracked though.

 

You can check them the same you check a pitman depending on how it said to do it. You need two people really. Jack the front end up so the wheels are off the ground. Grab the tire at 9 & 3. Then lightly shake it back and forth(you're not trying to turn the wheel here). If you feel play then while you're shaking it get another person to check what is loose and causing the play

 

Yea that's how I saw to check it, I'll just get my mom or sister to watch it to see what's loose because I know something is definitely not in good shape anymore, judging by the symptoms of those parts going bad I found online. Because I have the sloppy steering now, and when the steering wheel is straight the tires are pointing to the right some. As well as I have to turn the steering farther than I used too to get the tires to turn also.