I will tell you that venturing into your own mechanic work can be expensive but usually works out cheaper in the end. my best advice is to first quit worring about it so much, second buy a good service manual or two, some times a different manual will have a better write up or more info than another. start looking into tools if you need them. cheap tools wil work but watch teh real cheap tool packages they sell at places like walmart and kmart, look for a brand name you know and they should feel strong(you can tell the difference between a craftsmen and a made in indonesia peice of junk as soon as you pick it up. I would suggest at least mid grade tools. no need for MAC or any ridiculasly expensive tools. ask on here many people or reviews will tell you exactly what tools you will need. before you start a project look for information or discussions about it on here.
also make sure you have safe lifting equiptment, ramps are great but your stering work will probable require a good tall set of jack stands, and at least one or 2 floor jacks, or tall bottle jacks. don't use the spare tire jack to lift the car to work underneith also make sure to block teh tires. always keep safety in mind whenever you use a spray chemical (lubricant, rust breaker, ect.) wear some type of eye protection, and possibly respetory protection(simple painters mask wil help. given teh depth of some of teh work you are doing I would think about a air compressor and air tools. also make sure to get a torque wrench if for nothing else but to tighten yoour lug nuts(wheel nuts) over tightening you lug nuts can lead to many vibration problems and even cause your rotors to warp, neve let a mechanic crank away on them with a air ratchet either.
finally I don't know who you are going to for a mechanic but I suggest finding a small reliable mechaninc that has experience with fords,in other words avoid most dealers and chain shops. a small private mechanic who may only take cash will do work much cheaper and some will install your parts for you. this can be real helpful because he has tool that you don't and much more experience, make sure you can talk with him directly also. don't be afraid to say some thing and don't assume that he will always no more than you remember that a mechanic learns to work on all cars and specialty cars like ours some times require special knowledge. also if the mechanic tells you that he is gettin the parts make sure he knows that he can't just run down to teh local parts wholesaler and get parts. I have gotten more deals and good advice from talking with people and being a good knowledable customer than by sitting back trusting the guy to know every thing and being disapointed. if you buy parts regularly form the dealer get to know the parts guys name they can give you dicounts on parts. I have gotten them at a couple different dealships, and once when a small hose broke on me the guy gave the part for free. if you need help on a specific thing just ask here specific auto forums are were i have gotten the best information on both of my cars my old cherokee and now my SHO.
