Getting the suspension shored up - '94 Dodge 2500

Ashton

Newbie
I've been playing with borrowed time, so far as my suspension is concerned, and this recent weekend out with the lady and our pooch reminded me how badly I need to replace a bunch of parts underneath the truck. I'm standing by for an email quote for Moog products, with part numbers so i can put together a package for my model year, since i couldn't find something specific on their website (http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/). The metal underneath looks solid, no pitting or rusting, and appears sturdy enough to continue service. The truck has 124K miles on it, so i'm not concerned with replacement of metal parts. The bushings and joints all looks worn out, greasy, crumbling and the creeks from underneath continue to worsen. I'm not worrying about hubs and wheel bearings yet, so I can focus on quality parts for this refresh, though if I can save some money and find a set of Centramatics, I'll be snagging a set. I'll get to posting pictures when all this gets here and we go to put it in.

I'm going to need tie rod ends - inner and outter, sway bar end links, control arm bushings and the pitman and idler arm ball joints - if not the fresh metal themselves. Tie rod adjustment sleeves most likely too. I'd love to know if anyone has a MOOG parts list for this exact job that I can reference. I can see whats busted down there and I compare it to diagrams to see what I need to order, but direct information is always preferred.

I'm ordering 5100 series Bilsteins from Hell Bent Steel (https://www.hellbentsteel.com/products/dodge/shocks/). I'm tempted not to post this yet, so their stock isn't bought out quickly. They list a PAIR of rears, or fronts, for $179 and $169 respectively. At autozone, that shock would be $139 a piece. Finding this deal should help me convince the master of coin to let me do all four corners with 5100 series. We don't need remote reservoirs or anything like this, so I think 5100 series should be perfect for us. I will likely have to include the 2" front end spacer in my order. The rear of my truck sits at just about 40.25in and the front sits about 37.25 (oddly, my right and left rear ride height measure an inch difference - 40.25 and 39.25...). A 2in spacer up front will also allow me to purchase the front shocks from Hell Bent, as they don't sell OEM ride height front shocks, like they do for the rear.

My budget for the refresh was set around a grand. I told my better half what my intentions were (no cheapest parts as I don't want that in the back of our minds out on the trail, but not the most expensive since we aren't pro overlanders) and the benefits of shoring up the suspension with quality, re-buildable parts (long term money savings, confidence and part quality). If I can source the shocks for under 500, for all four corners, that leaves me $400-$500 to spend on MOOG gear.

Am I forgetting anything here?
 

huntsonora

Explorer
Have you considered the Thuren Overland shocks? A little less expensive and I've never heard a bad thing about them
 

Ashton

Newbie
I was editing the last post to include those. I sent an email asking if they can be applied to my stock set up. Do you know if they are rebuildable?
 

Ashton

Newbie
From what I gather, the Overland Shock is designed as part of a kit and the replacements for that kit can be had. They told me they don't sell a 2in spacer for the front, and I'm not interested in new coils for this refresh, as mine look fine and ride fine. I'm trying to go as much 'stock' as possible to retain the ease of wrenching on the truck. If I order from hell bent, I can get a 2in spacer for the front and use the proper bilsteins at all corners, and my truck will ride only an inch off from back to front, not three.

I'm open to other options. I'm pretty much set on MOOG bushings and ball joints. I'm checking out Luke's Links with my mechanic, haven't decided if I'm using those (they replace all the tie-rod ends). My only other real option is MOOG tie-rod ends, and that chunks my budget. I'll keep looking on here and other sites for advice.

Trying to keep this thing stock while beefing it up is proving hard. I seem to switch thoughts and product desires and set ups and gadgetry on a daily basis. Keeping it simple and stupidly reliable is not coming easily to me
 

Forum statistics

Threads
188,772
Messages
2,910,079
Members
231,075
Latest member
Mikenm
Top