Rebuilding stock suspension

[seafish]

I regret buying the front end suspension kit and read UCA for my 2005 from 1AAuto Parts when I was short on $$ during Covid.

Given the amount of work involved, I even KNEW thay I would likely regret buying more affordable (read CHEAP) parts, but I couldnt really FIND, let alone afford better suspension parts at the time.

I am now already due for another rear UCA, as well as lower ball joints again up front.
TLDR— even if the castings and forgings are good, the balljoints and rubber components suck.
From what I have read on other truck forums, the quality of the Detroit Axle suspension parts is just like those from 1A Auto, just with better marketing.

The problem IS sorting through whats available and finding something actually built well.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that even Moog components are NOT what it is used to be, but their pro line MIGHT be a little better.

Of course, if youre OK with buying and replacing parts every few years, then just get the cheapest.

Just my .02

 

[eric1514]

I'm starting to learn more about components as I do some research and I agree with you as it pertains to cheap parts. At first Detroit Axle looked attractive because it was one stop shopping and cheap, but I learned they don't actually make anything. They just gather together no-name, white box parts. But as you say, what should I buy instead? The number of choices on Rock Auto is overwhelming to a noob like me.

I think I've settled on the Delphi brand. It's not the cheapest or the most expensive. I don't want to do this work more than once.

 

[slingworks]

I regret buying the front end suspension kit and read UCA for my 2005 from 1AAuto Parts when I was short on $$ during Covid.

Given the amount of work involved, I even KNEW thay I would likely regret buying more affordable (read CHEAP) parts, but I couldnt really FIND, let alone afford better suspension parts at the time.

I am now already due for another rear UCA, as well as lower ball joints again up front.
TLDR— even if the castings and forgings are good, the balljoints and rubber components suck.
From what I have read on other truck forums, the quality of the Detroit Axle suspension parts is just like those from 1A Auto, just with better marketing.

The problem IS sorting through whats available and finding something actually built well.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that even Moog components are NOT what it is used to be, but their pro line MIGHT be a little better.

Of course, if youre OK with buying and replacing parts every few years, then just get the cheapest.

Just my .02

I'm starting to learn more about components as I do some research and I agree with you as it pertains to cheap parts. At first Detroit Axle looked attractive because it was one stop shopping and cheap, but I learned they don't actually make anything. They just gather together no-name, white box parts. But as you say, what should I buy instead? The number of choices on Rock Auto is overwhelming to a noob like me.

I think I've settled on the Delphi brand. It's not the cheapest or the most expensive. I don't want to do this work more than once.

In all honesty, even if you buy the cheap Chineseum white box parts, you'll probably not have to do it again anyway. You're talking about a 20 year old Jeep that may only see a couple/few years of usefulness left. If you're putting less than 20k a year on it for those years, you won't be replacing much of anything other than brake pads.

The one part I'd make sure I bought with quality in mind are the lower ball joints. Something good and preferably with zerks.

 

[eric1514]

In all honesty, even if you buy the cheap Chineseum white box parts, you'll probably not have to do it again anyway. You're talking about a 20 year old Jeep that may only see a couple/few years of usefulness left. If you're putting less than 20k a year on it for those years, you won't be replacing much of anything other than brake pads.

The one part I'd make sure I bought with quality in mind are the lower ball joints. Something good and preferably with zerks.

That’s a very good point. I will probably put less than 5k a year on this truck.

 

[u2slow]

Awesome. I thought about putting one of mine together also, One of the bad Monroes with an isolator from a 10 year old junk one. I didn't do it though, My spring compressors wouldn't fit on the coils, they're wound too tightly so I gave up Why would you want diesel coils? Are they stiffer or softer?

Slightly stiffer. Needed something better than stock that might not sag out as badly.

I also didnt have luck with a spring compressor, so I built a wooden jig to carefully support it in my 30ton press.