I have a 02 with 190k on the odometer and am planning to replace and refresh the factory suspension with a 2-3" lift, nothing fancy. While I have been putting that decision off, a grinding noise has started in the front end when accelerating from a stop. Now I am going to finalize my decision on the lift but want to know what else I should replace while I am in there (front and rear).

I assume u-joints, ball joints, any bearings, and TREs. What am I missing? Any recommended manufactures or brands to avoid? DO I need to replace the upper and lower control arm or just clean them up and paint them? I'm in the PA rust belt but they don't look worse than anything else under the truck.

This truck is 95% pavement and 5% two track hunting and camping, nothing extreme at all. I don't want to invest too much in this but I do plan on keeping the truck several more years and only want to do the job once.

I would inspect the u-joints on front/rear driveshafts, inner/outer tie rod ends, and upper ball joints for play. If you haven't replaced the lower ball joints in the last 80k miles or the boots are cracking/torn. If you decide to replace the lower ball joints I recommend replacing the lower ball joint bolts (there's 8 total).

If it were me I would try to determine what the grinding noise is before putting a lift on it.

Thanks Bad Luck

OEM ONLY for lower ball joints. OEM recommended for most other parts too, but it is imperative for the lower ball joints.

Tons of choices for lifting the suspension. If you keep it around 2" lift, alignment will be easy. It is much harder as you approach 3" lift.

-Charlie

Grinding noise in the front could be the driveshaft or the front differential bearings or wheel bearings. When you let off the gas and coast to a stop (no brakes) is the sound more pronounced? Any difference in sound when you shift to 4WD?