Ok so it's been a while since I was last on here. I'm putting my engine back together after a simple head job turned into 5 years and a full rebuild. I'm really wanting to drive this thing cross country but I fear the lack of readly available suspension brakes and steering parts. Has anyone on here swapped the entire suspension and steering over to something that is still supported by the aftermarket like an Impala or something? I'm a pretty good fabricator so welding doesn't scare me, I'm just trying to figure out what has been done so I'm not, hopefully, "reinventing the wheel".

 

Why do you need to convert anything ? Just find the proper parts to refresh the brakes, suspension and steering. The car should be capable of cross country trips many times. You wouldn't need to do anything for tens of thousands of miles.

 

Agree 1000%. These cars were driven all over the country back in the day. No reason they can't be driven all over the country now if in good shape.

If you want to drive something with an Impala steering and suspension, go buy an Impala and drive that. Don't ruin a perfectly nice Oldsmobile trying to fix something that ain't broken while giving yourself a hundred headaches along the way.

 

There are no kits to do this, so unless you are expert at setting up suspension and steering geometry and/or splicing a front clip, this is a really bad idea. And exactly what parts can't you get? I replaced everything in the front suspension and steering on my 67 Delta (65-70 Olds full size are pretty much all the same). Yes, some parts can only be had at great expense from Rare Parts. That is still infinitely less expensive than what you are considering.

 

You should be able to get a "white box" steering and suspension parts kit for your car from Kanter.

The only parts that would be difficult to find would be front disc brake parts. There are plenty of threads on our site about overcoming that problem.

 

Kanter has been showing some parts as unavailable lately, unfortunately. I would also be skeptical of the imported "fits both sides" upper ball joints. The OEM ones are specific RH/LH. I'll also note that I have a handful of Ebay search strings and you'd be surprised at the NOS parts that come up for sale. I snagged a new, long-out-of-production Moog center link not too long ago.

 

Thanks everyone, eBay NOS parts are not an option when your 1000 miles from home broke down on the side of the rode.

 

I have no idea what that means. I ASSUME one would completely rebuild the front suspension and steering BEFORE setting out on a trip. And if you are worried about finding any repair parts on the road, stop worrying because it's a certainty that you will not find them. Either carry critial spares with you or get a new car. I've done Power Tour four times now with cars that have limited to no spare parts support. Carry spares and be prepared to fix what you must by yourself.

 

I'd think parts like a water pump, alternator, power steering pump, etc. would be more valuable to carry with you on a cross country trip vs. parts like ball joints, bearings and u-joints. What parts have you carried with you in the past Joe?

If a"white box" kit is out of the question I think name brand suspension parts are still available for the B/C body Oldsmobiles. Fusick lists upper and lower ball joints for your car.

https://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/

 

You're right about the pump. Given how difficult it can be to get correct Olds pumps (particularly for the 5.1" pumps), I carry one, which was fortunate last year when the pump did go out on me. When I did Power Tour in 2019, the U-joints were the things I didn't have, and naturally that's what I needed. Amazingly I was able to get them by the next morning. Now I carry belts, hoses, water pump, u-joints, alternator parts, regulator, points, cap and rotor, and a couple of plug wires. I did carry starter parts but this year I rebuilt the starter just before the trip, so I wasn't worried and didn't pack them. Same with the alternator this year. Fortunately I did have belts with me this year!

 

Obviously you had predetermined opinion you were expecting and we didn't support that. Sounds like you don't think the Oldsmobile would make it to the Indiana state line before breaking down. Oh, incidentally, road is spelled R O A D not "rode". .

 

I've replaced the shocks in my 71 98 but I haven't done control arm bushings, ball joints and tie rods yet. I drive my Oldsmobile in town but would hesitate to take it cross-country. As I've said before on our site, I put a "white box" kit into my 64 98. It was better than the OE suspension with 90k+ miles.