Please: need help with 1966 lower control arm questions.

[COCONUTS]

I’m in the process of gathering new parts to rebuild my suspension front and rear on my 66 c10 and need a couple questions answered. I have new stock coils and shocks on there way. I have new tie rods and the connecting links in hand from Moog.

I know the truck has gone over something rough like a big rock or curb prior to me owning it as I’ve already replaced damaged parts like the rearend cover and drivers side exhaust. I started spraying every nut and bolt with PB Blaster and noticed that the driver side lower A arm is bent worse than I originally thought seeing in from the front. The truck drives straight now, but the suspension is tired.

My questions are:

Is this in fact a 1966 A arm? the a bunch of stuff is from a 1971 c10 like the 12 bolt rear end, tilt column, power steering.....and I want to get the correct part.

Where can I find a stock one used or new to replace it?

My budget is tight and I can’t afford or want the new tubular type available.

Any help would be appreciated greatly.

Greg

[Clyde65]

My suggestion is to use some 73-82 upper and lower a-arms, they are much stronger, cheaper parts and completely rebuildable. Also much more heavy duty. Also upgrade to the larger a-arm bushing u-bolts.

63-70
71/72
73-82

These are all different sizes, small to larger.

The only way to tell the difference is by the size of the ball joint I believe

[jdl71]

I've got one you can have. I'm only about a half hour away.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Dose that truck have disc brakes? That control arm might be a later model if so, or someone put later model spindles on it.

[COCONUTS]

[QUOTE=jdl71;8352796]I've got one you can have. I'm only about a half hour away.[/QUOTE


Than you,

I’ll take you up on that offer. I need a drivers side lower.

Awfully nice to offer.

Greg

[Captainfab]

The '63-'72 C10 control arms are all the same.

[COCONUTS]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

Dose that truck have disc brakes? That control arm might be a later model if so, or someone put later model spindles on it.

The truck does have the disc brake conversion done in the front.

The rear end is a 12 bolt 3:73 from a 71. I know the engine and trans and tilt steering column are also from the same 1971 c10.

That is why I took a photo of the lower control arm hoping someone could verify it is an original 1966 control arm. I was under the impression he control arms were the same until 1972.

I appreciate any input I get.

[COCONUTS]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

My suggestion is to use some 73-82 upper and lower a-arms, they are much stronger, cheaper parts and completely rebuildable. Also much more heavy duty. Also upgrade to the larger a-arm bushing u-bolts.

63-70
71/72
73-82

These are all different sizes, small to larger.

The only way to tell the difference is by the size of the ball joint I believe

Thanks,

The 73-82 sure look the same to me and are priced cheap.

Question...can I pick up the 73-82 lowers and use them with my original uppers?
Or can (if needed) install new uppers and lowers from 73-82 and still use the coils and shocks I purchased from CPP that will be here by Tuesday?

Also, I am waiting on delivery of the set of coil springs and shocks from CPP now. I saw the dent in my LH lower when I purchased the truck, but didn't notice how bad it was until yesterday when I crawled under to pre-soak all the bolts and nuts with PB Blaster. The truck has all new tie rods, idler arms, ball joints and pitman arm already installed. I have an offer for a LH lower from a generous member who lives 2 towns away and hope that pans out. But I do need to have a backup plan as I'm not going to install new coils and shocks and ignore the damaged LH lower I found.

Thanks for any knowledge you share.

Greg

[Chevy Fleetside]

I think the control arms are a bit longer on the later model trucks. If you use them you have to use both upper and lower. I did this on one of my trucks and on the other truck I just used the later model spindles. The later model ball joints fit into the early control arms but the tapered shaft is bigger in diameter.
Like Capt said up there. All of the 63 to 72 lower control arms are the same but the ball joints might be different.

I have a feeling I just made more questions from this post.

[Clyde65]

I agree with Fleetside ^, you can get some from a 73-82 pretty cheap, you will need the spindle also. I would replace the bushings and ball joints while I’m there.

Since you have discs currently, you mentioned all may be from a 71/72. That’s the model I would search for first.

The ball joint taper is different like Fleetside said, I mentioned the years of similar. Taper only maters in the spindle tho

If you go with the 73-82 arms, you might be able to use your current ball joints but I am not 100%

Good luck!!

[COCONUTS]

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

I think the control arms are a bit longer on the later model trucks. If you use them you have to use both upper and lower. I did this on one of my trucks and on the other truck I just used the later model spindles. The later model ball joints fit into the early control arms but the tapered shaft is bigger in diameter.
Like Capt said up there. All of the 63 to 72 lower control arms are the same but the ball joints might be different.

I have a feeling I just made more questions from this post.

Thanks for the information.

I think I'll wait for a message from the gentleman who offered me the part. Until I see what it looks like I won't know one way or the other what will work. I can't see what ripping everything out of the front of my truck and installing 73-82 parts is going to accomplish when I only need 1 part. It's never going to be a show truck and my budget is tightly limited. It steers good now. It runs good and does what I bought it for....to be a work truck I can move stuff too large for our other vehicle.

[jdl71]

Greg,

I replied to your pm before I read all this. Mine are stock 64 arms. I’ll get one out tomorrow and text you a pic to compare.

David

[COCONUTS]

Originally Posted by jdl71

Greg,

I replied to your pm before I read all this. Mine are stock 64 arms. I’ll get one out tomorrow and text you a pic to compare.

David

David,

I can’t thank you enough for your generosity and it was a pleasure meeting you today.

Love your 64!

Hopefully I can pay it forward to someone else in the future.

God Bless you and yours.

And I appreciate the replies from everyone.

Greg

[jdl71]

Greg,

I'm glad to help another member if I can. Enjoyed meeting you as well, don't hesitate to ask if you need something else in the future.

David