Reply to "Rear Suspension Rebuild"

My experience with lowered Alden shocks and new 17s with wide tires is that you definately need the adjustable upper a-arms. I got mine from Precision Performance. They were the same arms as another dealer sells...for a lot less.
I did my own bushings. George is right, the poly bushings are harsh riding, but I'm stuck with them for now. Replacing them is a pain. You need a body grinder to remove a small lip around the outside edge of each bushing cup, without grinding into the edge of the bushing "barrel". Then you need an acetyline torch to fry the origninal bushings enough to drive the center bolt sleave out (along with the smoking remainder of the bushing). Then you need a 1/2 inch drive socket that is big enough to drive out the metal cup (that you just ground one edge off) but small enough to slide through the bushing barrel. Then you need to drill for the new grease zirk (which requires a special tap). Installing the new bushings is simple.
I was cautioned by a couple of experts not to try and press any of this out. The a-arms are pretty fragile and can be bent easily.
I have a lot of odd tools around, so I had everything I needed, but this could be a problem for someone with a limited tool selection.
If you get the adjustable upper a-arms, they come with new bushings, so half the job is done. You can deduct half the cost of bushing removal and apply it to the a-arm cost.
Later, Mooso.