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05-01-2013, 02:50 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Mars Hill, NC
Posts: 1,994
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Control Arm Question
Ok....recently I've been think about adding the tubular upper and lower control arms to my truck....I was wondering why are they so expensive compared to the same thing for other vehicles. I put them on my tri-five and they cost 1/3 new what they do for trucks....want to add but am having a hard time justifying there expense. They would really help with my trucks stance and the fact that I'm running 15 inch original steelies on my truck. Do they charge that much more just because they can? Or is there a reason for it
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05-01-2013, 03:04 PM
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#2 |
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I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,992
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Re: Control Arm Question
It's a concept called "economy of scale".The more they sell or can sell the lower total tooling cost becomes for each set.The Tri five is very popular and had not so great stuff from the factory,so it get replaced almost on every one built.The tooling(probably Jigs in this case) has been around long enough to pay for itself so the parts can be made cheaper.The truck stuff is a little less likely to get the control arms replaced.By the same token,Mustangs are probably even cheaper since there are so many of them.
Basically the cost of parts goes down in relation to how many are made.
__________________
The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
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05-01-2013, 07:02 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Lebanon Ohio
Posts: 187
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Re: Control Arm Question
I have been thinking of this too.
Is there any real advantage ? Posted via Mobile Device
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1971 Chevrolet C10 Inflation Fighter  1994 C3500 Crew Cab Dually 454
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05-01-2013, 11:09 PM
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#4 |
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Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Honolulu Hawaii
Posts: 313
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Re: Control Arm Question
From what I understand, the tubular arms are stronger than cast/stamped arms.
They also have added benefits of more clearance in regards to both ground and spindle/steering/brake components. Posted via Mobile Device |
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05-02-2013, 02:35 AM
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#5 |
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Moderator
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,031
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Re: Control Arm Question
They do have more clearance than the factory LCA's do. But I think it is irrelevant since the lowest point is your factory cross member. They are a better design, and They do allow for more adjustability when doing an alignment...but I had no problems aligning my truck with a 5" drop. The shop only had to add one shim per stud (4 total) in addition to what was put there from the factory. The truck drives straight down the road and handles like its on rails. The front tires also sit pretty evenly spaced front to back in the wheel well (probably not perfect, but not dramatically off). Camber, caster, and toe were dialed in. All suspension components are new...if you are not going to replace them, adding tubular control arms is pointless. If you plan on bagging your truck, or going Porterbuilt, they are a must. For a static drop, I do not think the cost is warranted. If they were less, i would probably buy a set. I agree with Paneldeland...have you noticed the cost of bucket seat foam has come down recently for our trucks?!
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul |
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05-03-2013, 11:38 PM
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#6 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Lebanon Ohio
Posts: 187
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Re: Control Arm Question
Quote:
Very interesting! Thanks for the info.... Posted via Mobile Device
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1971 Chevrolet C10 Inflation Fighter 1994 C3500 Crew Cab Dually 454
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05-02-2013, 07:48 AM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: formerly NY currentlyNC
Posts: 390
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Re: Control Arm Question
tubular arms originated from oval track racing cause chevy steering geometry was terrible , you needed an opening in the middle of the upper for the weight jack bolt,straight tubing didnt bend as easily,and lighter=faster.they're still being used in classes that require stock chassis...throw in crashes and those guys have been buying or fabricating ten sets a season per car for the last 40 years...which is a few more than we're putting on our trucks...
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