Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Good morning everyone.

So I've had my 65 bagged for over 4 years now and have been running cupped lower arms and stock rebuilt upper arms the entire time. Very little issues but it's time for a change. I'm trying to get some feedback on control arms the air ride community are using or have suggestions.

The truck is still running stock spindles and drum brakes which will be upgraded along with this.

I'm currently looking at Porterbuilt, CPP, Choppin Block, and heard about MMW but I don't see anything for my year. I'm not looking to lay frame, as I'm currently almost lay the crossmember. So that level is perfect for me.

Drop the knowledge :)

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

The suspension stuff sold for a 67-72 will most likely work for your 65.

I've got no experience with air bag stuff though, so I'm no help there

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

The main things aftermarket arms help with are adding caster, centering the wheel in the fender opening, or narrowed arms more fender clearance. They don't do anything to change the geometry for better handling unless you get Hotchkis arms that drop the upper control arm pivot point for increased camber gain but I think those are coil spring only.

You can redrill the locating holes in the stock LCA shaft by 3/4" to gain caster on the stock arms.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

While this is possible, you also would need to relocate the upper mounting points for the bag to keep the bag alignment happy.


* Aftermarket arms w/Delrin bushings might be better but the OG sleeve set-up works pretty good for what it is. Poly bushings are not any better than the OE set-up & prone to creaking/squeaking.
* The ability to go w/narrowed arms can be a benefit. Narrowing the track width may allow for generic back-spacing numbers commonly used on off-the-shelf cast wheels if leaning toward new rollers.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Thanks for the response and information. I understand we don't get a large benefit out of the arms other then my personal piece of mind. With the cupped arms I at times carry the concern of the bags rubbing if the bags shift in any kind of way. Although I don't have any scaring on my new bags my previous bags which were a little larger had some minor scaring on them.

I was just looking for peoples experience with arms they have ran on these trucks. Again thank you and Scoti for the knowledge. Scoti always jumps in and has helped me out many times.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

I have installed CPP upper and lower Tubular arms for Air Bags. I have also installed CPP lowering spindles and a complete Rack and pinion. Not complete with whole truck, but so far the frame sits good and looks good. Fair warning though, it is not cheap adventure.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

I was following your build, if I'm not mistaken you are running Air Lift Dominator 2600 bags up front? Any issues with clearance?

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Any issues or complaints?

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

If I owned a 63-66 truck I would run the Porterbuilt control arms that move the wheel centerline forward 1”.
Most bagged 60-66!trucks look like the front wheels are too far rearward in the wheel opening.
Porterbuilt also offers a narrowed version.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Thank you lolife - do you have any experience with Porterbuilts? The choppinblock also offer either a 1" narrow or 1" forward or a combo of both. My plan was to purchase a 1" forward as I agree the centerline seems to be off on these trucks.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

I swapped to PB 1" Forward lowers for my dually. I noted the same concern as you after building some pocketed stock arms for it. There was >.500" clearance around the bag @ 30+ psi when I validated dimensions during their build phase. But once the weight of the all iron BBC & those chunky hubs were resting on things the bags (Firestones) had less than a yardstick clearance sitting still. That would yield a failure in the field @ some point so I ordered a pair of PB's arms & never looked back.

I wound up removing some RideTech arms (from the 1st batch they ever made) and getting PB's narrowed arms for my 64 as well. I wanted to pull the track width in a little more & his quality/customer service has always been excellent.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Are you running stock upper arms? I had nearly identical clearance with Firestone bags that you had so I went with a smaller SS7 bags (7" diameter). After seeing that minimal scaring I constantly have the fear of one rubbing.

I've read and heard nothing but great things from the PB arms. I also read on a thread with someone using ChoppinBlock arms that they had rubbing issues with Firestone 2600.

I'm leaning to going the same route. I know it's not cheap but my safety and peace of mind is worth it. HAHA

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Yes.... I have to. I can't run tubular uppers w/o adding complexity to my column-to-box steering shaft.

Tubular upper a-arms (& stock 73-87 OE arms) have large/larger bushing barrels where the arm shaft pivots which can interfere w/the OE placement straight steering shaft. With the 1.5" pancaked/raised x-member under the dually, the front driver side bushing barrel is 1.5" closer to the steering shaft & can make contact when the suspension cycles.

Others opt to run a multi u-joint/shaft set-up as the solution but I feel they add clutter where I was trying to reduce it. The fix for me was using the old style OE upper arm w/the smaller bushing footprint (HD arms have the same style bushings as 63-72 C10 arms) & notching it so there's clearance when air'd out.

Keep it stupid simple and Dummy Low.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Yes I have Porterbuilt 1” forward arms on my ‘69.
I’ve never dealt with Choppinblock.
I know PBfab will talk to you before building anything for your truck.
They want to make sure you are satisfied with their product and know all your options.
They have great customer service.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Thank you sir for always educating. I plan to bag my dually as well in the next couple of years.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

Thanks for the update. 15 years is beyond impressive!

Thank you for your input.

I just bought a 66 and I’m looking into this same topic. That being said, I bought and still own a complete 55-59 Choppin Block chassis. Solid product. Worst business practices I’ve ever dealt with. Buy Porterbuilt or GSI.
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Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

following.

Re: Air Ride - Control Arms
 

What did you end up going with?