The point was; that thread promotes the parts which are more expensive than the complete ones. Now people are going to see that thread and think it is the way to go but when they discover they need a press, a block of time, and paid too much, they will wish they never saw that thread. It's like hyping up all the parts to some jeans; great material, strong thread, good dye, great patterns, etc. but they cost more than just going and buying some, plus you need a sewing machine, so it's a no brainer to me. Like I said before, that was a great thread but it was barking up the wrong tree. I ever gave him a rep for the effort, (even though it was wasted.)

 

They will probably last longer than you have your truck and they surely will beat buying the parts and pressing them in (If you have a press).

 

I think the average FTE user is intelligent enough to read the thread, determine what the costs are vs their budget then decide if they have the equipment and skills to use the parts in said thread. Having multiple writes up gives users a "choice".

 

Another thing they won't realize is that the complete (cheaper) ones come with special made bolts already pressed in so where would you get those with the bushing kit? I can't see any way someone would be better off with the bushing kit. I paid $42 for both of mine with free shipping 2 years ago, they were in 1/2 hour after they arrived, and they have been as quiet as a church mouse. I was going to do a DIY thread with pics but it's as easy as changing a tire.

 

Nothing wrong with alternatives. Some guys just like the satisfaction they get from doing things themselves. And if you are like me you want each new part to be better than OEM if possible. Moogs are around $68/side and some guys don't want to buy $20 endlinks until they know they work, so your experience is perfect here.

I will be getting the Dormans end of the week. My new front RS7000MT's are awesome but there is still a clunk that I'm tired of hearing!! UGH!!

 

Edit: List of completely pre-assembled front sway bar end links added in post further below.

 

That clunk your hearing might be your slip joint needs greasing.

 

On the subject of having several options to choose from, I just now made an abbreviated list of completely pre-assembled full replacement front sway bar end links for 1999 - 2004 4WD F-250/350/450/550/Excursions. The list below is a redacted version of the yet to be posted Part B promised in my original post. In this now modified Part B, I deleted out all the pricing, places to purchase, and any quality/comparison/commentary on the constitution of the bushings and bolt that are pre pressed in... for the sake of brevity.


FORD MOTOR COMPANY:
1C3Z-5K483-BB - Driver Side Front Left
1C3Z-5K483-BA - Passenger Side Front Right
Revision Note: New design effective date June 21 2001.
Pre-Assembled Link Notes: Includes new upper eyelet bolts prepressed into OEM Sachs style bushings with new dished washer heatshield for the upper passenger side.
Application Notes: Not intended for use in early 1999 models as originally equipped, depending on whether Front Stabilizer retrofit is/was performed per earlier era Ford TSB, incorporating a raised sway bar mounting position, axle weldment, and revised end links. If unmodified, see next Ford link below.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY:
F81Z-5K483-BB - Driver Side Front Left
F81Z-5K483-BA - Passenger Side Front Right
Application Note: For 1999 Model year only, unless TSB was applied.


MOTORCRAFT:
MEF-205 - Driver Side Front Left
MEF-206 - Passenger Side Front Right


MOOG:
K80274 - Driver Side Front Left
K80273 - Passenger Side Front Right
Cautionary Note: Observe that these MOOG part numbers coincide with the endlinks that PickupmanX2 inquired about several posts above. As I mentioned earlier, I would not assume that the parts sold on that eBay link are actually MOOG, even though the numbers "match". This is due to some eBay sellers listing knock off parts by the numbers of better respected brands.


RAYBESTOS:
5451422 - Driver Side Front Left
5451423 - Passenger Side Front Right


ACDELCO
45G0422 - Driver Side Front Left
45G0423 - Passenger Side Front Right
Branding Note: These ACDelco are simply rebranded/repackaged, and not produced by ACDelco. They are in fact the same endlinks as the Raybestos immediately above.


MEVOTECH
MS40805 - Driver Side Front Left
MS40806 - Passenger Side Front Right

Application Note: Unable to confirm with reliable certainty the difference between the MEVOTECH MS40805/6 front swaybar end links that are 14" length with bend, versus the MEVOTECH MS40812/3 front swaybar endlinks listed immediately below that are also 14" length with bend. The MS40806 appears to include the bushing heatshield, whereas the MS40813 does not. Photographs online from merchants cannot be trusted, due to images being "similar to", but not precisely accurate for, the part numbers described. Pricing for the Mevotechs varies very widely, from as little as $13 to as high as $40, so not even cost is a clue of how the part numbers differ. The Mevotech website, a Canadian company, did not produce results when these part numbers were searched for there.

MEVOTECH
MS40812 - Driver Side Front Left
MS40813 - Passenger Side Front Right
Application Note: (see note immediately above)


DORMAN
905-302 - Driver Side Front Left
905-301 - Passenger Side Front Right
Note: MADE IN CHINA https://www.google.com/#q=dorman+905...n+china+amazon

 

All I can say is wow my friend , you truly love to do research..

 

I ended up with the Dormans. I put them on 1st or 2nd week of January and didn't realize they were China made until my son pointed out the sticker, lol!! Should have probably figured by the price alone.

However...WOW...what a difference!!! I also replaced the two mid sway bar bushings at the same time. Clunk = GONE!! Entire front end feels "tighter". I have 138k on the truck and the original endlinks so suffice to say - they were trashed a long time ago!!

 

I realize that this is an old thread, but does anyone have a part number or a link to the upper pillow blocks for an 01?

Sway bar link pillow block