If you were interested I poached this from a discussion... You would have a fair amount of cutting and welding to make this fit in your truck, but it would be a great mod.
What's different between a kingpin knuckle and a balljoint knuckle?
Kingpin or balljoint refers to the pivoting parts between the inner and outer knuckles--kingpin knuckles rotate on machined bushings and bearings, while balljoint knuckles rotate on a ball-and-socket joint.
Why would I want kingpin knuckles?
Kingpin knuckles are generally stronger, easier to maintain, and more durable than balljoint knuckles. Also, if you break an axle, the broken chunks can pop out the ball joints in a balljoint knuckle--kingpins can't be popped out like that.
Kingpin knuckles also use a conventional spindle, wheel bearing, and hub assembly. Most balljoint knuckles are designed to use an expensive dealer-only "Unit Bearing" wheel hub assembly that isn't maintainable separately--you just wait till it wears out, throw it away, and buy a new one.
If kingpins are so good, why did Ford and Dodge change to balljoints?
Balljoint knuckles have fewer machined surfaces, and use less material. For an application where the knuckles are being loaded properly (small tires, minimal offset, street use) and not side loaded, ball joints are strong enough. Being that they cost less to manufacture, the OEM's switched to save money--$5 a knuckle is a lot of money if you build a million trucks a year.
Since OEM light trucks don't use large tires, and they're not intended to go rockcrawling, they don't have to worry about the side loads that 38" and bigger tires put on the front axle.
simple bullet proof design.
