I need to replace tie rod ends and king pins on my 1950 F1. How big of a job is this going to be? Should I just take it to a front end shop?

 

Tie rod ends should be fairly easy, but kingpins are a different story. Could be lots of swearing, hammering and mashed fingers involved, as well as a tool or two that will only be used for kingpin replacement. Do a search on here, there are several threads on what it takes to change them. That is the ONLY thing I have paid someone else to do on my truck.

 

Even if you take it to a shop, before you commit to them, grille them about their methods for reaming the new bushings. If they don't have the specific reamer or an adjustable reamer capable of doing both bushings at once, stay away!

 

If you haven't already done so, be sure to check the condition of the drag links. These have wear pieces that certainly affect steering performance.

 

I redid my front end myself also. :Like Tiredood said, the kingpin bushings are the only thing on the truck I didn't do myself. It can be hard to find a good shop that will do them. I ended up paying $45 to have it done. Also found out my axle was shot, so had to get another one also. I did all the spring bushings/pins, drag link, tie rod and added Toyota PS also.

 

I sent my front axle to Sid's to have it stretched for a 3" drop, had him do the kingpins while it was there. Parts & labor was $100.

 

Thanks for all the good advice. All the parts have been ordered and should arrive 4/23/14. The shop that I'm taking it to has all the needed equipment and does great work.

 

Don't forget to replace the spring eye bushings and add a GOOD set of shocks. Also I'd recommend adding a set of caster shims (1 set if stock height, 2 sets if dropped) for better high speed road manners.