Thanks for everything, ol"blue. I'll keep you and this thread updated next Tues when I begin the process. Was gonna do it today but damn tools and parts add up quick.

 

That's good.

 

UPDATE:

It's been a slow wait to get all the necessary tools and parts to replace the front suspension. Here's what I have:

13, 15, 18, & 38 MM sockets & torque wrench, ball joint press kit w/ fork, 6-ton Duralast bottlejack, four 6-ton Duralast jack stands, basic plastic Walmart wheel chocks, one set upper & lower ball joints and driveshaft univeral joints. Also got some mechanic's gloves today.

Total cost: ~$454 (+$100 refundable ball joint press kit deposit)

So, if anyone is looking to do this, this is what you're looking to pay. I bought a Craftsman tool kit on sale for about 130, as I mentioned earlier. If you don't have the tools, AutoZone will loan them to you for a deposit. So yeah, the total comes to half a thousand dollars. Compare that to the cost of hiring a professional shop to do it and you're looking at ~$1300 w/ labor and parts.

Anyway, off to begin. Hope I don't break anything or find out I need anything extra during the process, lol. Will keep this thread updated for anyone looking to learn how to do this. By the way, that YouTube video ol"blue posted is what I'm going from, and the instructions he's written here.

 

Don't forget to grease the new ball joints after installation using a grease gun, or have it done.