40 years 'o crud

With the engine out - I need to start prepping the bay but need to clean up suspension/K frame, etc while here. It's thick build-up of grime - like 1/4 inch in areas. Someone said I needed a "truck pressure wash", I'm thinking about using one of those sandblast/pressure washer attachments. Oven cleaners and degreasers with brushes will take forever and not penetrate. Some areas (ball joints, A arms, etc) are hardly recognizable, it's so thick. Any tips ?