Need Complete Front End Kit...

I recently hit a pothole doing about 25mph and busted up my front end.

Lower and upper ball joint, wheel bearings, and lower control arm on drivers side. So I am just going to suck it up and buy a complete front end kit with my tax return in about two weeks.


I would like to get a complete kit that will support a V8 302 w/ C4 tranny. I also would like to drop it a inch or two to give it the higher back in look. I dont have 3 grand to spend on a kit, but I have more like $200-400 to spend.

I would like to get everything, Springs, Struts, Upper and lower control arms, bearings, bushings, tie rods, everything!!!

Can anyone help point me in the right direction or suggest a front end kit by providing me a link? I'd like to buy online to save money, but open to local stuff too. We Have... Napa, O`Reilly Auto, Autozone in my area.

Anyways post away.


*Bonus* Front end kit, and rear suspension for no more than $400 would be suhhhhweet too.


Thank you,
Levi


P.S. What cars/trucks can I pull a 5 lug disc brake set from (FOR FRONT BRAKES)? Local junk yard has everything anyone could need, just need to know what I need to have.

 

They have a kit on ebay minus the wheel bearings for around $449.... Its under maverick parts....

 

Could you provide a link please?

 

I used the PST kit, and although I've hardly put any miles on it yet, everything seems great. Came recommended by quite a few guys on here. $219 for-
* 2 Upper Ball Joints
* 2 Lower Ball Joints
* 4 Upper Inner Control Arm Bushings
* 2 or 4 Lower Inner Control Arm Bushings
* 2 Strut Rod Bushings
* 2 Outer Tie Rod Ends
* 2 Stabilizer Links
* 2 Sway Bar Bushings (for most models)
* Control Arm Bumpers (for most models)
p-s-t.com
I also replaced the springs with a set of "platinum series springs" from Laurel Mountain Mustangs for about $80 shipped. All that plus various parts store stuff came out to under $350. Did the disc brake swap as well while it was all torn apart. Total was around $600-$700 dollars to rebuild the entire front end to better than new suspension and disc brakes with new master cylinder and drilled and slotted zinc coated rotors.

 

Sweet, good to know and sounds perfect as far as price range.

Since I will be tearing the front end out I wanted to do the disc brakes while I was at it as well... I was curious what cars, trucks, vans can I take front disc brake setups from - from the local junk yard - and what sizes should I go with -- 9'' - 10'' - 11''? -- And what all would I need to take to do the front disc brake switch.

I work at a Machine shop and have hundreds of lathes so I dont mind refurbishing old disc brakes. I can even have them slotted if I'd like. (We make the machines that press/shape/form metal roofs/siding/doors/etc).

How much did the The platinum series springs lower or raise the car?

Also what struts would you recommend for performance (Hwy, Drag, City also shes my DD)


Annnndddd last -- The company I work for gets AMAZING (damn near 30-50% off (depends on what it is) discounts through NAPA -- Can Napa get PST, or is there a kit I should pick up through them ??


*edit*

You're here in Spokane (fairchild)?? Im in the valley -- should meet up

 

Not a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!
Why would you want to take the rear brakes out? You will never be able to stop the car. The rear brakes are a necessary part of the entire braking system. Think about your and everybody else's safety before you consider this drastic step. PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ah -- Didnt realize the severity of the rear brakes. Good to know!

(Im a newb - be easy )

 

Pretty close to what I did and same recomendations years ago with barely any miles on mine either.

PST front end, with control arms, front springs, and new rear lowering springs, shackles, and bushings all from PST. I think back in the day my total was about 750ish from them. Then new shocks I was close to a 1k total for complete new suspension. Probably another 200 in steering refresh it should drive pretty good now.

I already had front disks on mine, and I got a setup from explorer to install in the rear too just have not got that far yet.

My car was down right scary to drive with all the old stuff and even worse still no real after drive report.

 

Yeah, my car is scary to drive too. If I am driving on the freeway its extremely scary and nerve racking.

If I barely turn in either direction it jerks extremely hard, it shakes, rattles, rumbles, and very unstable. If there is wind, its even more scary.




For the explorer what year, make, and model did you get them from? I could probably grab the entire rear end for fair cheap. And front disc setup too.

 

Its been so long I do not remember, ther is a right up in the tech articles area that has the info.

Don't forget a good alignment with shelby specs when your all finished up installing the new parts

 

Any Explorer 1995-2001 for the rear

 

So I can just take the entire rear axel, and is it a straight bolt up to my mav, or is there welding/fabing to be done?

 

I haven't personally tried it. I run just the brakes bolted to the stock 8" Maverick axle. You have to slot the holes in the bracket slightly and it's best if you fabricate a spacer for the bearing retainer to lock the axle bearing in place. The Explorer axle is a nice unit tho. 31 splined axles and most are locking diffs, not all of them. You probably would have to have it narrowed which would require custom axles. Just doing the brakes is probably the way to go if cost is an issue. I'm using a 75 Maverick manual disc brake master cyl, front disc brakes and an adjustable proportioning valve.(could probably do without the prop valve if necessary) You will have to move the perches as the Explorer has a different offset.

 

Alright, So far I am going to go with the PST front end kit, and platinum series springs. Is it recommended that I replace the upper and lower control arms? I know the lower control arm on the driver side is bad, is that something I could rebuild?

Next thing I need to get is Struts/Shocks (would like front and back), but dont want to spend more than 50-60$ for front and back. (side note -- need to be able to support a v8 weight, and would like to lower 1-2'' *front*. Would like to keep the rear how it is now no drop or lift needed.

And still trying to gather information on how I would go about doing the front disc brakes... What make model, and year would I need? What parts do I need to pull? What parts should be replaced brand new? I would like a detailed list of stuff I need. Im not super savy when it comes to this subject so any help will help.

Budget is roughly 400$ maybe 500$ for everything at this point... More can be done in the future (currently selling my 89 Ranger truck so will use every dime towards the Mav)




(was kind of hoping more people would reply with information, and their 2 cents)

 

Get what you pay for honestly... I put a cheap kit on my car and the ball joints wore out in 30,000 miles.