I did some front end work on the LJ over the last week and a half. Parts installed were
- Black Magic Brakes / VANCO Big Brakes for 15" rims
- Synergy ball joints
- Goodridge extended length front brake lines
- Crown Automotive Heavy Duty Steering linkage
- Rancho RS5000 steering stabilizer
I did not really plan to replace the ball joints. But once the old knuckles were out I noticed a lot of vertical play in the lower ball joints. Vertical play may be normal, but it freaked me out and I ordered the Synergy joints.
Here is the driver side assembly.
Here is the entire front axle showing the new knuckles, rotors, and steering linkage. The linkage was still unadjusted at that point.
And here is the front axle with the wheels back on!
I adjusted the toe-in roughly and it drove pretty well for the break-in procedure of the new pads and rotors. Now I need to take it in for an alignment. Plus I think the Pitman arm is clocked wrong. I adjusted the drag link so that the Pitman arm was where I thought it ought to be (pointing straight backwards when the wheels point forward). But in that position the steering wheel is rotated ninety degrees from center. I'll take it to my regular 4wd / auto shop
http://simmonsautorepair.com/ as they'll know what to do with it.