I'm a complete rookie when it comes to working on suspension. The ball joints on my 74 Dart are a mess. I need to stay low buck, which means I need to learn...soon! So, is it as fun a job as it looks...what other items should I think about replacing while I'm at it?

replace the ball joint with the A arm on the car,,,
much easier...

now remove the A arm from the car and replace the upper bushings.. loosen the 'NUT' end on the bolt. the excentric is welded to the bolt head end...

The inner lower control arm bushings may need to be replaced as well. On my 73 Dart they were practically falling out upon engine removal. Actually the passenger side was out allowing all kinds of lower control arm movement. mike

Thanks, guys! I'll take any help I can get, right now I have to get $$$ together for parts.
Oh, well, those are the joys of owning a well used 35 year old car!

Everyone likes to save money, and if you have some skills, you can do well here. The LOWER control arm bushing takes most of the load, so they are usually worn the worst. Leaky slant six engines will drip oil onto the right control arm and soften the bushing until it breaks up and squishes out. V8 engines with leaky power steering boxes do the same to the left side bushings. Replacement of these bushings can be done at home, but I have never tried it. For $20, I let the man do it. You can piece all the parts together at your leisure, but it is far cheaper to but a kit in the factory rubber app. The upper control arm bushings are easy enough to do at home with a quality vise to press them in. I have done several. Regarding alignment, write back when you get to that point. There are several ways to get you close enough to get to an alignment shop without chewing up your tires. I have even had cars that were within specs when they got them on the rack! Pure luck I guess, but I'm not complaining.