Rebuild my entire k-member and front suspension or Replace

[Chlngrcrzy]

 :1zhelp:Anyone else price out a complete rebuild on theirs( and i mean complete) versus a aftermarket suspension/k-member? My k-member is going to have to have some welding work done also. The swivel point where the lower control arm pivots is completely shot and broke out, and the other side is in similar condition. Every peice of rubber is shot, all ball joints will have to be replaced. It is abig job. Then add powdercoating of parts to that. Is there any aftermarket stuff out there that is reasonably priced?

[challengermaniac]

Hey there,

When I had my 1974 Challenger with a ripped K member, my mechanic recommended a $75 used replacement (plus labor) and indicated he would not guarantee the job if I elected to repair/weld the original. 

Now I'm getting ready to rebuild the frontend suspension on my 1970 Challenger and I have about $400 into the parts plus another $157 for the Pitman arm!  You can do a search on here for the parts list & supplier, but don't forget to replace the wheel bearings while you are at it.

Charlie 70 Challenger
69 Camaro RS

[Chryco Psycho]

typically you will have around $800 in a rebuild of stock parts , which is still about 1/2 the cost of the cheapest tubular system , the ones i like are the Cap & Alterkation for street use . Control Freak looks good too as it includes the sway bar but I know less about them

[DMZ73]

800?
Are you serious?
I saw a decent K frame on CL of 225. The suspension rebuild kit ran me 340, plus the rear.
I spent 35 on the paint. It looks killer!
Maybe that's not too far off. The XV stuff is big money. The other option os the tubular K frame just recently featured in Mopar Muscle. Not bad, definitely nice.

Heres a pic of mine, refinished by yours truly.


Best,
Dan

[Chlngrcrzy]

 :wow:That looks awesome. I was pricing out lower and upper control arms last night at capautoproducts. Comes to $700 just for them. Doesn't include anything else. 

[HP2]

You can rebuild, refurbish, and upgrade the entire front AND back suspension for about half of what it would take to get just the basics for an aftermarket front suspension.

I seem to recall that I once priced out an AlterK once I had all the items i wanted, it came in around $3500. Now, that isn't to say that the AlterK is a bad piece, it isn't. It is an awesome set up. It is just overkill for what 95% of us will ever use it for. The cost per pound of weight reduction it provides can be found elsewere on the car for less $$. Coil overs are great if you are a racer and need to quickly and easily change spring rates, but otherwise torsion bars accomplish the same thing for a 1/4 ofthe cost.

[Chlngrcrzy]

I appreciate the info. I cannot afford to spend that kind of money. If i can get my k member welded up and straightened out a bit, that will save me a bundle. However my lower control arms are shot. Anyone know if the aftermarket stuff from Cap Auto products will fit on our K members?

[the_engineers]

I have a set of LCA's.  Not sure what a fair price is...make me an offer while I look around.

[brads70]

Just post what you need in the parts wanted section, I got a nice k-frame, rear gear pot,plus a bunch of other smaller items I needed. People are really great on here! Just ask! Can't hurt!

[Chlngrcrzy]

Groovy. I think i will try that before forking out a lot of dough on some aftermarket stuff.

[Chryco Psycho]

to my knowledge the Cap Control arm are designed to work on a stock K or the lightweight Cap tubular frame