I'm going to redo the front end on my '66 4-4-2 this fall. Any recommendations on a kit? Saw this one on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-end-ki...dVvW63&vxp=mtr

 

A/C Delco inner tie rod ends are the only ones I have found that has the zerk fitting in the end instead of the back. With the fitting in the back,it hits the frame when turned.

 

I would not buy a kit with Chinesium components. I'd buy the individual parts from Moog.

 

I agree with Joe. There have been a lot of posts over the years where folks bought a kit that had lower quality parts vs. what could be bought individually.

If you buy from someplace such as Rock Auto you may be able to match or beat the kit price. Remember that you can use a 5% discount code when buying from RA.

 

Moog parts are made in 16 countries, including China, but agree on sticking with Moog.

 

I think the ad is written a little sketchy. You don't want to eff around with front end parts. He says he deals with all the good companies (maybe not Rebuilder's Choice?) but doesn't say that is what is in this kit. I 2nd getting name brand parts from a retailer like Rock or a local guy.


My component suppliers include, but are not limited to:
MOOG
PST
TRW
Elgin
Energy Suspension
Rebuilder's Choice

 

Why does that not surprise me...

Like when I paid extra at NAPA for the premium rear drums for my dually, only to find they were still Chinesium (AND out of round... )

 

http://www.detroitspeed.com/

Costly but good stuff

 

F85 4-4-2: I have two (2) complete set of front suspension kits, includes inner/outer tie rods both sides, adj. sleeves, center link, frt. upper and lower control arm bushings, rear upper and lower control arm bushings. Fits 66-78' Olds A body. These are USA made by Moog and even have the correct mold # s in the rubber and the correct gray phosphate finish on the metal shells! They are in original Moog/TRW (TRW bought Moog in 1998) boxes and always been stored in my warehouse.

In 1999 I got a deal through the TRW/Moog factory rep for Florida and ordered 4 large pallets of suspension parts and some front and rear springs. I believe I have two suspension sets left and a few sets of springs (application specific).

If interested it will take a few days to give you a price (shipping extra). I will be at the OCA Nats next week and if I do not sell before that, then I will be taking those parts with me to sell there.

 

Dave, those sound good. When you can, shoot me a PM with a price. I expect to be at the Nats, but not 100% sure.

 

I may be able to get to it, not sure. I am spending 8-10 hour days, early morning and late evening trying to get loaded to go. I pretty much have a schedule and it has been 97-100* and high 90 s % humidity in the afternoons which is slowing me down! It has been a killer last week and this week for our heat index. I am going to try and dig the TRW/Moog boxes out tomorrow, as my buddy is coming late evening to help me. So I'll try then, but no promise.

Expect to see "sticker shock" (a 50-75 % increase) in price over your local jobber or some place like Rock Auto. These USA made suspension parts are just like original GM and are very hard to find. If you are not doing a frame off, complete show quality restoration, I suggest you past on these parts and spend your $$$ at Rock Auto. Just saying......................

BTW: Moog and Thompson were the main suppliers to GM

 

97-100F & 90%RH. No thanks. Can you say O-H-I-O?

 

F-85 4-4-2: LOL lol lol. Yep. supposed to get to 100* + tomorrow. Usually I am gone from here late June and do not come back to Florida until first of November! Also I travel in my motor home in northern Ohio, Mich., and south Wisc. When it hits 80* you guys are complaining how hot it is! I just laugh..............Didn't go this year because I wanted to bring "the mother load of parts" to the Nat. I am 71 yrs old and the last few years the heat has been getting to me..............Time to hit the sack as I am wore out.

Goognight

 

The National Weather Service says the high temp was 94º with RH of 50% from 1 to 3 pm. That's hot and humid but not quite 100º and 90+% humidity. I spent nearly 40 years on the Gulf Coast so I know how that feels, but temp and RH are inversely proportional so the highest temp = the lowest RH and vice versa.

 

Fun71. Don't know were you were but I am due south of Tallahassee about 8 mile from the gulf. I am in a zone that is 120 miles wide east /west and 60 miles north/ south and we are the second hottest/ highest humidity area in Florida besides Ft Myers which is the hottest. I live in Crawfordville and we are always 4-6 * degrees hotter than Tallahassee during the summers hottest months (July through mid Oct.). The opposite is reversed during the winter as we are colder than Tallahassee.

This hot/cold bubble was explained to me by our local weather man years ago on a flight from Tallahassee to Miami on why. It has got a lot to do with wind current from the southwest from Mexico and the amount of time the wind is over the southwest region of the Gulf of Mexico were it picks up a lot of heat. If you live west about 30 miles of Tallahassee you would not have experience this condition.

I have an expensive accurate weather station and it said at the Solar part of the day (2:00 PM to 4:00 PM) it was 98* and after it rained at 5:00 PM we went to 100% humidity and temp. dropped to 87*.