OEM vs Aftermarket Kingpin bushings for DD

[MTBLAZER89]

Starting to develop some wobble in my 89 V3500 and I imagine the kingpin parts are stock and prolly have squished springs and broken bushings. I noticed while looking at the bronze bushings there was a statement warning against using them on a street driven rig.

I have 33x14.50 SSRs on 12" wide Welds so there is some added stress.

What say ye just get an OEM rebuild kit, or upgrade to the bronze bushings?

 

[combatmatt]

I've been wondering about the "not for street vehicles" statement as well. Theres quite a few places to source them and the only one (that I've seen anyway) that says not for street vehicles is WFO concepts. Reid Racing, cutthroat 4x4, and the rest dont say anything about it. From reading previous threads on the topic I wouldnt be too worried about street use but then again there might be a substantial reason out there somewhere......

As for if I'd upgrade, hell yeah.

 

[sweetk30]

thay do go in MUCH better and fit snug over the stock crappy plastic units.

if you grease them reg i dont see a problem. thay run them in k.o.t.h trucks/buggys and dont break like stock do so why no street time

 

[big pappa b]

Anyone seen or used the new Crane D60 spring eliminator kit?

http://shop.cranehiclearance.com/product.sc?productId=61

$50 for the basic and $60 for the premium kit (has shims). Saw some talk about it on Pirate

 

[Avery4jc]

Maybe I'm different but I've been gathering parts to get my '79 Ford 60 together and I really don't see the need for these aftermarket bushings, especially on a fairly stock rig. The stock bushings last years so why "upgrade"?
If you were blowing through stock bushings all the time I could see the need but most aren't.

 

[sweetk30]

hard off road and bad roads these days break the bushings or wear them out faster.

i would rather replace it 1x and never look back .

and its

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Ok well it seems the consensus is that they will be fine!

 

[miniwally]

I have some pretty good race miles on mine and they are just now looking like they are "wearing in" Took a while for them to even show wear.

I say they should be fine for street use with proper greasing, You may have to play with preload for the first thousand or so miles till they wear in and find their happy place.

 

[owenst7]

I would imagine that the majority of the "not for street use" statements, specifically with steering components, are related to companies avoiding having to deal with DOT and all those related headaches.

 

[MNorby]

I have a set in my front too but haven't had appart since installing them last year. Most every heavy truck has a bronze bushing kingpin though. IMO grease is your friend no matter what setup.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Ok well I am sold with a possible Cummins swap down the road and having wide heavy tires I doubt it can hurt. My wheeler is definitely getting them.