My parents no longer need their 98 Jimmy, and gave it to me to drive in the winter (I currently drive an S2000, which pretty much hates being driven in less than 50 degree temps). But, it's got 226k miles and need a lot of TLC. It's the 4 door, 4WD SLT model.

AFAIK, nothing has ever been done with the suspension. I think it probably has the original shocks on it. They did say that the front sway bar on the passenger side pretty much has no bushing at all (I guess it was too worn?). I keep reading posts about complete front end suspension overhaul being necessary for some of you guys. I'm guessing I'll probably need to do that, too, considering when I enter a corner at even a modest speed, there's more body roll than Oprah on a bender. What's the cost for that kind of thing?

I never go off-roading, and have no plans to do so. I don't haul a lot of cargo, either. I'm mainly concerned with making it handle the best that it can on dry pavement, so if you can point me in the right direction as far as that goes, I'm all ears.

 

Just parts or parts & labor? Are you going to be doing the work yourself?

Have you checked out the various bushings/links/etc in the suspension to know what you would need to change or do you just want to change everything?

 

swart is right....like always that mad man of the s-series, My 2cents are you can replace both side sway bar links and bushings for around 10 to 15 bucks for the poly ones you get everything you need new links bushings bolts everything for that problem, but the rest is gonna be various prices depending on what else you need. but the sway bar links & bushing are very inexpensive

 

I probably need to just change everything, considering nothing has ever been done, and even if it's not urgently needed now, it probably will be in the next 2-3 years.

I might do some of it myself, but I'm lacking in space to work on it right now until I move in to my new house. I'll probably end up paying a mechanic friend to do it for me, which isn't the best option, but is probably the most realistic thing right now.

Is there a kit for all of the front end pieces that I'd need?

 

You might be able to find 'kits' on eBay, but I've never looked.

That is kind of an expensive assumption that everything would need to be replaced. I guess it comes down to the kind of maintenance that the vehicle underwent throughout its life, but I would still recommend inspection first.