Modified A-arms (what ya think)

[c20olive]

How about this instead of drop spindles

[chevy_mike]

That's the old school way of doing thing. Normally the end is cut all the way across and then a piece of plate will locate the height and then triangle gussets are done top and bottom. The way you have it done, you need to gusset both side and to the inside before I would trust it.

Remember, the lower arm takes all the weight and load while driving. Looking at the welds, I would recommend taking these to a certified welder as this is a huge safety thing that could injury or kill you or someone else. I understand trying to save a buck here and there but lower arms is not the place to cheap out. Do this right or buy arms already done.

That's my honest opinion.

Actually I found a couple pics of the ones I had.

[c20olive]

thanks for your opinion bud but these have been on many trucks around here for a long time never had one to fail

[Jon01]

That's pretty redneck.
Why put your life and everyone sharing the road's at risk to save a couple hundred bucks?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by c20olive

How about this instead of drop spindles

Been done similarly like that for years. The more recent methods like chevy_mike included are a little more robust w/the gussets so they're stronger.

As far as instead of drop spindles, you'd be limited on back spacing w/OE size wheels as it looks like the rim would be very close.... How much is the BJ actually raised?

[Jon01]

Just because it's been done doesn't make it right.
If you cause an accident with something like that on your truck a good lawyer will take everything you own.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Jon01

Just because it's been done doesn't make it right.
If you cause an accident with something like that on your truck a good lawyer will take everything you own.

Ok... But modifying a-arms has been done for years.

I would not modify them like the OP did. I have modified (narrowed the track width) on some w/o issue & others modify them like chev_mike posted the image of.

[Jon01]

People also used to think smoking was good for you...

[c20olive]

Wow....Jon01 you don't have to be a jerk about it man....I'm learning as I go! the arms aren't on the truck there laying in the floor even if the where on the truck every thing u said wasn't needed I posted this trying to find some help an input on the design of the arms an how well some of u guy thought they would hold up some one that's done it before this is my first set ......scoti an chevy mike thanks for the help

[Jon01]

Sorry, when it comes to people doing something unsafe you're going to get my direct opinion - especially when what you're doing puts others in danger.

[Tom]

His plate is sitting on and welded to the arm...the spindle pushes down, meaning all the force goes into the arm its sitting on....whats the safety issue here? And no, I don't build this stuff or weld, so I'm not being a smart ass.

[c20olive]

Thanks tom.... You said just what I was thinking

[dirtyjim]

the op's arm as it sits right now is unsafe and needs considerable gusseting. also I can see no reason for it to be done the way it is when its just as easy to it right like the other arms are done since it needs to be done anyway.

it might work for many years without failure or a police officer could be notifying your next of kin in two weeks.

the weight is actually pulling up on the lower a-arm through the spindle, the spring is pushing down.

[c20olive]

Thanks dirty Jim ........like I said this is my first set but after seeing those chevy mike have I do plan on doing it that way it not only looks stronger but looks much nicer an cleaner than mine I raised mine 2" and moved the ball joint in 1".... What's the spec's on or recommend spec doing it this way ? And when welding back up you would weld the ball joint slightly leaning not on a 90 deg. Correct

[c20olive]

Well after looking I can't cut them a redo them cause the way I notched mine out it would be way to skinny where the ball joint in inserted.... So would gussets on the top be sufficient cause I can't put any on the bottom there just no way the way there designed ill post a pic of the bottom

[c20olive]

See what I mean

[bdiamond]

You'll have to cut the tie rods to get the toe set after narrowing them that much.

[c20olive]

What about the gussets on the top would that make them strong enough

[mongoose]

i'd put a couple gussets o nthe top into the a arm then put a plate on the bottom tieing the the square stock with the lipped parts or the a arm.

and a couple on the bottom going in as well.

[c20olive]

Something like this ? If so should I put the gusset down on the lip of the arm or on top where the dots are and sorry about the messy drawing

[c20olive]

How is this

[tinydb84]

Here are my arms I did. The ball joint is moved in 7/8'' of an inch and forward to meet the front. I have ball joint cups welded in to the arm. They are welded to the original hole as well as braced to a plate that is welded to the arm. (It was mid paint over por15 so ignore the color).



If you gusseted yours it should hold. I would have bought spindles or cut the springs though.

[69chevytrucker]

i like it if you put the gussets were you drew them i think you would be fine should have sloped it out hole too strait up and down if you know what i mean as for strength ball joint pressed in on bottom bolted in on top a arm and as for ball joint itself pressed in a socket then lets talk spindle cast metal then all of that cushioned on rubber from tire plus shock and spring need i say more

[c20olive]

thanks for the input fellas ill put the gussets on next weekend and post a few pics

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by c20olive

Thanks dirty Jim ........like I said this is my first set but after seeing those chevy mike have I do plan on doing it that way it not only looks stronger but looks much nicer an cleaner than mine I raised mine 2" and moved the ball joint in 1".... What's the spec's on or recommend spec doing it this way ? And when welding back up you would weld the ball joint slightly leaning not on a 90 deg. Correct

I assume you are narrowing the upper a-arms as well?
Narrowing the lowers (only) by 1" will give you some camber issues without narrowing the upper a-arm.
For and extreme (5-6") drop,... you could narrow the lowers only about 1/2" to help retain the alignment.
My opinion,... 1" is going to be too much by itself.