If you go with the Borgeson setup and a brake kit from CSRP you'd likely come in between $1K-ish for basic and $2K-ish if you replace all tie rod ends, ball joints, etc. and you could likely do it in a weekend. While it's apart is the perfect time to rebuild/upgrade ALL front
suspension and steering parts. Most upgraded replacement parts only cost a little more than stock type stuff. You can spend a pile of $$$$ on upgrades, if you want, or you can simply put better than OEM replacements on. One definite upgrade is rollerized spring perches, you can either buy them for about $180 or rollerize your old ones (if you can weld or have a buddy who can) for about $60:
http://dazed.home.bresnan.net/test
The sky is the limit when it comes to
suspension, but NOW is the time to plan and do it all at once so that all the parts play well together. I personally like this setup (New Kit #
6770TCA-ULK-S) for the
suspension:
http://www.classicperform.com/NewProducts/2006/NewFiles/NovaSubFrame.htm
add a pair of roller perches and you're golden.
To sum up what I think would be a good plan:
1> Borgeson box with your existing pump with manual steering center link and pitman arm $800-ish. Have your hoses made locally.
2> All new tie rod ends and idler arm $150-ish
3> Roller spring perches $60-$190
4> CPP setup $689
5> CSRP Brake swap kit #2511 or #1411 $524
This puts you in the $2300-$2500 ballpark (depending on shipping) and leaves you with EVERYTHING in the front end new and upgraded, except for the springs and shocks AND disc brakes. You would likely not have to touch anything up front for many years and 50K + miles, except brake pads! If you opt not to use the CPP
suspension kit, you could knock MAYBE $300 of the overall price, as you would still likely need to do upper &
lower control arms or bushings, shafts and ball joints, strut rod bushings, etc. to have it all new. The problem with the OEM style stuff is that most replacement pieces are JUNK! For example, I spent the extra $$$ for supposedly better
upper control arms with shafts and ball joints and after only 11K miles the shafts are getting loose already!
Sorry For The Long Post,
Gene