Tubular control arms vs rebushing
I don't think anyone doubts the ability to achieve self-centering caster setting with stock parts...just that if you're looking to significantly improve cornering capability you can't have that caster and also enough negative camber at the same time.
I have to ask how much negative camber do you need? Other than the Moog K7103 offset bushings and the Firm Feel sway bar I added, my suspension is all stock (with rubber bushings) and I'm getting -.9 degrees of camber and nearly 5 degrees (4.90) of positive caster. The car turns like it's on rails.
I guess I'm just not understanding why some are saying the stock components won't do what he wants. Are the aftermarket goodies an improvement?,.... Absolutely,.... but for how the OP says he will be driving the car, the stock components can be made to work pretty darn good.
My advice is if everything is getting old, find a good rebuild kit of stock components from someone like Firm Feel or PST and replace it all. If some of the components like the ball joints, pitman and Idler seem to be ok, just replace the worn hard parts and put new bushings in. It will feel like a different car.
As for tools,.... I bought a pitman arm puller and pickle fork to fit my air chisel and was able to do everything but the LCA bushings. I took them to the local mechanic who knocked the old ones out and pressed in the new in less than an hour, I could have gotten them out, but it was just easier to have him do it all since I don't have my own press.
