Hi Im rebuilding my front end on my 89 W100 4x4. First time rebuilding a 4x4 front end.

For my Mopar cars with factory front ends and suspension, I typically I use Moog for tie rods, center links, pitman and idler arms, ball joints etc. I know Moog is not the same quality they use to be, but I havent found anything better for factory replacement front end parts. BTW, the newest mopar car Ive replaced parts on was a 71, and Moog was my only good option. Control arm bushings I typically use a mix of energy suspension poly (for upper) and moog rubber (for lower.

So, this vehicle being a truck, plus 4 wheel drive and a 1989 the newest mopar ive ever owned, I have a couple questions.

1. Is moog still a good option for front end parts on these ram trucks? If not, what brand do you feel is better than Moog that makes all the parts I will need?

2. Is there any simple upgrades I can achieve by using parts made for other 4x4 rams from different years or heavier rated suspensions? For example, when I did the tie rods on my 71 charger, I bought and used tie rods for a 71 New Yorker, because they were more heavy duty but still had the same length dimension so they fit perfectly. It was a simple upgrade that was easy, factory, and I think they were the exact same price.

My opinion:
Drag link- raybestos ac delco premium/professional from rockauto. Tough to find a NOS one from 81 up trucks
Tie rod ends- mopar nos or ac delco pro
Ball joints- spicer (were OEM). Have no zerk fittings
U joints- spicer for the axle u joints on the 44. (FYI, Unfortunately, their version of a lifetime 7260 doesn't fit the yokes on a stock rear driveshaft)
Bearings and seals- Timken only, though I have had luck with Napa SKF seals. I HATE the National brand.
Grease- mopar wheel bearing or any number of synthetics. I'm using amsoil MP for the bearings and valvoline synpower for the tie rod ends now. John Deere HD lithium in the U joints.

I have 3 of these trucks currently and this is my preference, but I'm crazy. I have to plan ahead to replace this stuff and surf ebay every night running part numbers, but I've had success this way. Its also cheaper than the best aftermarket stuff 90% of the time. BUT I'm also seeing more and more cheap junk in Mopar boxes falsely labeled as NOS so you have to know what to look for too.

and do the Borgeson steering shaft.

The steering coupler is always a trouble-maker on these trucks. Last time I did one you could buy just the guts from Mopar and save a few bucks.

Drill and thread in a grease zerk on the housing and it will last longer for you.

X2!! - also put on one of our steering braces or custom fab something similar if you do not already have on. m.dodgeconnection.com/catalog/item/2901766/4541374.htm

In the past the ac delco professional line was mostly reboxed raybestos professional which was essentially Dana/Spicer from the 'old days'.

When Affinia group started cutting up and selling themselves off a few years ago the chassis brand when to Federal... Unless it is NORS (new old retail stock) from more than 2-3 years ago by now anything from ac delco is either some imported mystery junk or reboxed moog garbage.

"imported mystery junk"

I love this line. Mind if I steal it?

So basically there is no quality aftermarket tie rods drag links or ball joints?

Napa chassis might be ok, no idea who makes it anymore. Expensive as hell though!

As said Ebay is your friend here. When I redid the B-van in 2012 (RIP May 2016) I got everything as NOS or NORS via ebay for less than $200 . New from the store would have been over a grand easily.