alright im going to be replacing all of the tie rod ends ect......(anything that has a joint) being this is going to be my first time doing this it would be helpful if u guys had any tips or sugestions, thanks

 

get a ball joint separator, Big hammer, case of beer!

 

haha got the first 2, but need sombody 21 for the beer lmao

 

To separate the various joints, where a stub pokes thru a hole, I use two hammers.... Hold one against one side of the part with the hole, and SMACK the other side HARD a time or two, and they jump right out.

 

Get all 98-99 2500 HD stuff. It costs about the same, is much stronger and bolts in, even to the 1/2 tons from what I have heard.
Here are some part numbers and info I have saved from other people.

--DS1459 Draglink
--DS1456 Right Hand Connecting Tie Rod End
--ES2012S Adjusting Sleeve
--ES3496 Left Hand Outer End
-ES3497 Tie Rod at Pitman Arm
--ES3498S Adjusting Sleeve

-MOOG Part #ES2012S (sleeve on the draglink)

-MOOG Part #DS1456 (Long end of Tie Rod, attaches to Pass knuckle, has hole for Drag Link)

-MOOG Part #DS1459 (Long end of Drag Link, attaches to Tie Rod)

-MOOG Part #ES3496 (Short end of Tie Rod, attaches to Driver's knuckle)

MOOG Part #ES3526 (Short end of the Drag Link, attaches to Pitman) this is the one that is different from all other lists ive found.

-MOOG Part #ES3498S (Tie Rod End Sleeve near driver knuckle)

 

I would also suggest doing the control arm bushings at the same time. These are pretty cheap compared to the cost of all the parts you will need to do the total job you are looking at. (Mine is a 2WD, but all the parts added up to about $480 including the bushings.)

On other cars on which I have done the complete front end, it made a difference since the bushings tend to get looser over time (i.e.- the rubber shrinks due to the loading over time). I have used urethane and nylatron bushings before; pic from the nylatron ones on my RX-7:



Prothane makes these for our trucks - has anyone used those or a different brand?

 

The Prothane part numbers are: 4-211 (4WD) or 4-210 (2WD). About $69 and 50, respectively.

Energy Suspension is another option, part numbers: 5.3120 (4WD 94 - 98), 5.3131 (4WD 99-01), 5.3124 (2WD).

Since Energy shows 2 different kits for different model years of the 2nd gen 4WD, please check the part numbers for either company (mine is a 2WD so I didn't dig too deeply on the 4WD).

They also make anti-sway bar bushing kits, which I will do at the same time.