Why do my lower A-Arms look so weird? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TIMSPEED · 04-16-2003, 05:06 PM

Since my DJM 3/5 drop and my new wheels, my lower control arms are REALLY noticeable. It's like the spring is bigger (longer) and therefore the controls hang down farther. (I'll get a pic after work to show you what I"m talking about) Aren't the Lower A-arms supposed to tuck up after a drop? (Like, aren't the inner portion [part that connects to the frame] supposed to be lower than the outer portions?[part that connects to the balljoints/spindle]?)

*1FaastC10* · 04-16-2003, 05:11 PM

they should tuck up some, but you just installed spindles too, correct? that will bring them "down" a little bit.

Tom · 04-16-2003, 05:21 PM

I have 3" spindles and 2" springs on BOTH my trucks. The control arms on the 79 hang lower then those on the 78.

TIMSPEED · 04-16-2003, 05:24 PM

Yeah, I'm a spindle-only drop. Hmm..so drop springs would make my arms tuck, but spindles keep them the same huh?

Low87 · 04-16-2003, 05:32 PM

Mine show even with a 6" drop, that's why I keep an air dam on there to "clean it up".

**swervin ervin** · 04-16-2003, 07:15 PM

Yep, spindles only move the wheel center up. Control arms stay put.

low 84 · 04-16-2003, 08:59 PM

heres mine at 5/7

heres matts at 6/8

when you spring drop it the whole truck along with the inside cross shaft part of the control arm comes down, it doesn't tuck up, and where you lca attaches to your ball joint stays the same height. in other words the angle betwwen you control arm and the ground becomse alot smaller and the lcas are almost level with the ground.

TIMSPEED · 04-16-2003, 09:16 PM

and here's mine with a 3/5. Hmm..maybe the trucks around here are boddydropped? LOL, I dunno, maybe I'm just really anal and need it to look CLEAN!

bigblock73 · 04-16-2003, 10:26 PM

looks like a normal 73-87 to me.

-Jeff

bigd65 · 04-17-2003, 09:23 AM

just put the air dam back on it. i think it looks sweet. besides , i was under the impression that these trucks had to have the air dam for cooling purposes. oh well i like the looks of the air dam even if they have no real purpose

gchemist · 04-17-2003, 10:31 AM

Add an air dam. I had a stock one but replaced it with one from a K10 truck. Made a big difference in hiding the A-arms. Increased the drag too until I put 245/60R15 tires on the front. Ride is really nice now. I just have to look out more for parking lot bumps and steep drive ways. Now it just looks meaner coming down the road.

Low87 · 04-17-2003, 11:40 AM

It does clean it up quite a bit.

TIMSPEED · 04-17-2003, 11:56 AM

Where do I get an Airdam and also how would it mount? I don't see how it'd be a FUNCTIONAL piece, as my radiator has no opening on the bottom...

Low87 · 04-17-2003, 12:13 PM

$30 at the GM parts counter. I have to buy a new one every year or so, so I don't bother with the custom stuff.

Slonaker · 04-17-2003, 12:26 PM

Did the early model trucks come with the air dam? I was under the impression that they did not.

The air dam just bolts to the bottom of the bumper. If the early model trucks did not have them, the holes might not be there.

Slonaker

04-16-2003, 05:06 PM	#1
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Why do my lower A-Arms look so weird? Since my DJM 3/5 drop and my new wheels, my lower control arms are REALLY noticeable. It's like the spring is bigger (longer) and therefore the controls hang down farther. (I'll get a pic after work to show you what I"m talking about) Aren't the Lower A-arms supposed to tuck up after a drop? (Like, aren't the inner portion [part that connects to the frame] supposed to be lower than the outer portions?[part that connects to the balljoints/spindle]?) __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

04-16-2003, 05:21 PM	#3
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	I have 3" spindles and 2" springs on BOTH my trucks. The control arms on the 79 hang lower then those on the 78. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

04-16-2003, 05:24 PM	#4
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Yeah, I'm a spindle-only drop. Hmm..so drop springs would make my arms tuck, but spindles keep them the same huh? __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

04-16-2003, 05:32 PM	#5
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	Mine show even with a 6" drop, that's why I keep an air dam on there to "clean it up". __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

04-16-2003, 07:15 PM	#6
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Yep, spindles only move the wheel center up. Control arms stay put. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

04-16-2003, 05:11 PM	#2
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	they should tuck up some, but you just installed spindles too, correct? that will bring them "down" a little bit.

04-16-2003, 08:59 PM	#7
low 84 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,144	heres mine at 5/7 heres matts at 6/8 when you spring drop it the whole truck along with the inside cross shaft part of the control arm comes down, it doesn't tuck up, and where you lca attaches to your ball joint stays the same height. in other words the angle betwwen you control arm and the ground becomse alot smaller and the lcas are almost level with the ground. __________________ '51 F100, backhalf with a narrowed 9 and coil overs, 18.5" mickeys, monte front clip, +400" sbc in the works '05 1500 Crew Cab RIP '84 swb 5/7 drop, solid cammed 408 w/ fully ported dart heads, th350 w/ 10 inch hughes, 12 bolt w/ 3.73 richmonds and a locker '80 swb 4x4 in progress: 7" lift, 350 th350/np205, d44 and 1.5" ORD tie rod, 14BFF w/discs , armored diff covers, 40" MTR's

04-16-2003, 09:16 PM	#8
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	and here's mine with a 3/5. Hmm..maybe the trucks around here are boddydropped? LOL, I dunno, maybe I'm just really anal and need it to look CLEAN! Attached Images __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

04-16-2003, 10:26 PM	#9
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	looks like a normal 73-87 to me. -Jeff

04-17-2003, 09:23 AM	#10
bigd65 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Clute, TX. Posts: 1,935	just put the air dam back on it. i think it looks sweet. besides , i was under the impression that these trucks had to have the air dam for cooling purposes. oh well i like the looks of the air dam even if they have no real purpose __________________ 2004 Silverado Crewcab 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo 2017 Chevy Tahoe

04-17-2003, 10:31 AM	#11
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Add an air dam. I had a stock one but replaced it with one from a K10 truck. Made a big difference in hiding the A-arms. Increased the drag too until I put 245/60R15 tires on the front. Ride is really nice now. I just have to look out more for parking lot bumps and steep drive ways. Now it just looks meaner coming down the road. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

04-17-2003, 11:40 AM	#12
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	It does clean it up quite a bit. Attached Images __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

04-17-2003, 11:56 AM	#13
TIMSPEED Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,321	Where do I get an Airdam and also how would it mount? I don't see how it'd be a FUNCTIONAL piece, as my radiator has no opening on the bottom... __________________ I have a few cars... See Them Here

04-17-2003, 12:13 PM	#14
Low87 been here longer than Liz Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 2,437	$30 at the GM parts counter. I have to buy a new one every year or so, so I don't bother with the custom stuff. __________________ ~Greg~ Mac's Garage '87 SWB 6/8 drop "Piso" '08 CCSB Silverado DD the departed '89 GMC K5 Jimmy 4x4 "Rusty Nuts" '77 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd '83 Chevy stepside "You get what you pay for" - Mike 'swervin ervin' Ervin

04-17-2003, 12:26 PM	#15
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Did the early model trucks come with the air dam? I was under the impression that they did not. The air dam just bolts to the bottom of the bumper. If the early model trucks did not have them, the holes might not be there. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado



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