Struts??

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Some day I'll have me a real nice truck. Just got it back from the frame unbender. They got the frame straight and the toe within spec. My caster and camber are still out. They said my struts and inner tie rods are bent. They meant shocks right? A 2001 doesnt have struts does it? I'm guessing go with billsteins? But if the "struts" are bent wouldn't that likely mean where they mount is bent too? What about inner tie rods, any suggesti8ns for a good replacement? Maybe goe with a whole new tie rod? Centerlink too? All these non-mods are really crushing the mod budget! This thing will be rebuilt before I get to mods. So far; new clutch, rear main seal, headers, secondary cats, downstream o2 sensors (still working to get one to stop throwing a code), and the frame unbent. Now struts and tie rods! Hopefully soon I'll be breaking things on the trail instead of the driveway. Recommendations on parts for this latest need are appreciated.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
Whoever told you "struts" was an idiot. The truck has 4 shocks. I would suggest a full rebuild of the front suspension. New control arms, new steering, new torsion bars. Maybe don't replace the steering box if it's not leaking, but the pitman arm, center link, idler arm, and tie rods. If you want to go crazy you can get the Total Chaos King Kong steering kit and you'll never have to replace anything again. If you don't, I'd buy Moog for everything. Buy Moog lowers and again, for uppers, you can do OEM spec or you can get lift uppers for future use.
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
The Total Chaos steering kit includes EVERYTHING but the steering box. And you'd never have to replace anything ever again. It uses johnny joints instead of balljoints for all the pivot points and is WAAAAAYYYY over engineered. But you're right, it's not cheap. Damn near $1400. http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18915698-complete-steering-system.html

On the other hand, if you go on Rock Auto, you can buy every part you need to completely rebuild the steering setup from the pitman arm to the outer tie rods all Moog, for under $250. You need a pitman arm, center link, idler arm, inner and outer tie rods for both sides and tie rod adjusters. While you're at it, go buy an idler arm brace: http://www.calmini.com/detail.php?b=1&m=1&t=10&p=435&n=

That setup should be fine for many years to come. That was the setup I had on my 1st gen on 33s and I wheeled it hard. Never let me down.

As you said, if your shocks are bent, your control arms probably aren't in great shape either.

Moog uppers (stock no lift) are $65 each on Rock Auto
Moog lowers are $105 each

You might need to cut the control arm bolts out in order to replace the control arms. The dealer is the best place to get the bolts. You can get a whole set for both sides for about $50.
 

Gen X

First Fill-Up (of many)
Supporting Member
Location
Ashburn, VA
Gonna have to go the rockauto route. Can I get bilstein 5100's without the lift? Do they fit with stock control arms?
 

Prime

Shut up Baby, I know it!
Admin
Location
Denver Adjacent
The 3" lift shocks fit at stock height just fine. Go ahead and get those so if you do the lift, you don't need to buy shocks again.
 
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