Looking to redo the front suspension and steering components on the deuce. I think ive decided to go with bilstein 5100 shocks front and rear- these will allow me to do the levelling kit without shocks over extending as im going to 37's or 38' s.-input please. The tie rods which are like tooth picks need to go. I really like the Rare parts ones but they are $1368 on Amazon. Which is just a ridiculous amount of $$.

Lojac i see in bower powers post that you went with the moog HD's. How much thicker are they than OEM? How long have they been on? Did you replace your centre link etc?

What have other people used?

Anyone try the kryptonite sleeves that go over oem tie rods?

steering damper?

Other critical parts that should be replaced at the same time?
Also want do the control arms and ball joints- input please
Thanks for everyones input.

 

I used Moog HD parts throughout all the steering components. The parts were all substantially larger than the stock parts so I felt confident in using them. The idler bracket is nice because it includes a short grease hose which connects to the bracket as a remove oiler. I used a bolt from the sway bar bracket so now I can grease that easily.

I did not replace my center link.

Tie rods I went with were from DMaxStore.com, their XD heavy duty tie rods. The pics don't do the things justice, they are absolutely massive! I have some comparison pics in my build thread if you want to sift through there lol. Post 34 starts the tie rods and post 47 starts the Moog parts I installed.

Here's the link https://dmaxstore.com/products/?rout...roduct_id=2594

 

Thanks for the advice. Those Dmaxs are just what i was looking for and the price is decent as well. Just went through your build thread. Mistake, now i want to spend all kinds of$$$. Lol.

Youre happy with your Bilsteins shocks?
No issue with Bilstein damper? Ive seen mixed reviews.

 

I can't speak for the dampener but I can speak for bilstein shocks! I was in the market for shocks for my 93 full size blazer. I was doing a bunch of research on the cheaper brands. Even though they all have lifetime warranties it was unanimous that the bilsteins lasted longer and road as good if not better. I went ahead and spent $70 a shock for bilsteins. Everyone at work thought I was crazy for spending that much but they have been GREAT! Even with the body lift and big A/T tires it rides as good as my accord. Cut down on body lean and away from the lift. WHEN I get an H2 you better believe as soon as I can, it will get bilstein shocks no doubt!

 

I also have the same ones from the Dmax store.
I believe I needed a 1" or 1.25" wrench just to install them. It's been a LONG time. I believe it was the 1.25" wrench. As LoJac said, they are monsters. I can't see them failing.

 

LOL thanks, that old lady has been a long time in the making.

The Bilsteins are awesome, performance is amazing flying over the AZ desert and look extremely good! The damper is very hard/tough, not sure the descriptive word for that. It will return to center but very slowly, I am assuming it just needs some miles on it but I do maybe 50 miles a month if I'm lucky. Some complained the damper pushes the steering wheel to turn right but this was not the case for me. I read hundreds of reviews and took the chance. I still have not done the rears with the Bilsteins but they will be on there way soon.

Check your bump stops while you are in there as well, great time to replace them with the "Z71" bump stops.

You can't go wrong with those tie rods. Beefy as hell, they sell new boots for them, and the price can't be beat.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I definately will be going with the dmax rods and bilstein shocks. Not sure about the damper and what control arms im going with yet. I replaced my bumpstops with oem a couple of years ago but will inspect them for deterioration. Just have to wait til may 1st to see if im on strike or not, befor pulling the trigger.

 

I am in the same boat, If I replaced the control arms the entire suspension would be new and up to date. I just haven't found a set I am willing to buy. Some of them are so outrageously priced it is amazing. Let me know what you're looking at. Maybe putting our heads together we can find the best bang for our money.

 

I assume you mean upper control arms. I know there are a few tubular designs that they are asking too much for. I was looking on rock auto, and a few on there are completely boxed in on the bottom side, which I would imagine is stronger than the ones that are not. Would that be a dent upgrade or is tubular the way to go?

 

The major difference is the more expensive ones come with a uniball (I think its called) compared to the standard upper ball joint. I don't know much about them though.

Here's what I found:

Kryptonite (I don't believe require pressing in the bushings): Boxed
Zone Offroad: Boxed
Cognito: Boxed or Tubular
Freedom Offroad (cheapest I've found): Tubular

That's a start and I think the main popular ones minus Freedom Offroad, I think those are more of a universal fit for other vehicles as well.