Controls arms

[suttonca]

I have a 1984 chevrolet shortbox with a 5/6 drop. drop spindles in the front and c-notched in the rear. The problem I am finding is that the front control arms are just to low causing them to rub on pavement all the time. Is there someone that makes different control arms with more clearance or what is everyone doing to rectify this issue?

[siroadrnr]

aftermarket crossmembers and control arms. Researching which for my truck now.

[SCOTI]

Some lower arms have a 'slimmer' profile that possibly provide a bit more clearance but the pivot points where they attach to the x-member are still the lowest point. The only cure for that is raising the x-member in relation to the frame rail:

• Notched/pancaked OE x-member (up to 1.5")

• Cutting & raising the rails themselves (frame 'Z' 1-3")

• Swapping in an aftermarket x-member built specifically to correct this issue (3").

[tinydb84]

Taller tires might be an option too. If you are planning on new wheels just go with tires that are at least 2-4 inches taller overall.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Taller tires might be an option too. If you are planning on new wheels just go with tires that are at least 2-4 inches taller overall.

Going taller negates the installed drop as it raises the vehicle. What size are the current wheels tires?

[tinydb84]

The truck would still lowered but just sitting a bit higher due to the wheels.

If he is running 26'' wheels I dont think it would loose the lowered look by going to 28-29'' wheels. It may even look better by closing up some of the fender gap.

Do you have any pics?

[suttonca]

siroadrnr, let me know what u decide to go with!!

As for taller tires, I am only 2" from the top of tire to the inner fender, wouldnt want to get any closer!! I have 18" wheels and 225/45 tires

[suttonca]

SCOTI, who makes the aftermarket kit?

[tinydb84]

Nice truck. Yeah going to have to do something with that space.

Crossmembers: Porterbuilt or Scott's. They are a bit pricey.

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by suttonca

siroadrnr, let me know what u decide to go with!!

As for taller tires, I am only 2" from the top of tire to the inner fender, wouldnt want to get any closer!! I have 18" wheels and 225/45 tires

Looks like you have already hit a few things. Nice truck!

[suttonca]

So, I was thinking about ordering:
http://www.summitracing.com/int/part...olet/model/c10

Anybody tried them? the one review on line says the stock sway bar will not fit into them so he has to upgrade sway bar also. I realize that my cross member sits fairly low as mentioned in earlier post but I'm thinking with these at least my control arms wont be way lower than the cross member, I dont seem to hit the cross member to much but as u can see in the pictures I sure have hit my control arms!!

TIA!!

[N2TRUX]

There is nothing wrong with those control arms you linked, but dont expect much additional clearance. You say that you have a a 5/6 drop. How did you acquire that in the front? Your springs may be to soft causing you to scrape. Have you updated your shocks? Relocating the upper shock mount will allow you to run a longer shock and may prevent this as well.

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by n2trux

there is nothing wrong with those control arms you linked, but dont expect much additional clearance. You say that you have a a 5/6 drop. How did you acquire that in the front? Your springs may be to soft causing you to scrape. Have you updated your shocks? Relocating the upper shock mount will allow you to run a longer shock and may prevent this as well.

+1

[badchevy]

The roads in your area must be pretty bad. My truck is lowered a little more than yours and although I have scraped my control arms, I haven't beaten them up as you have. I'm running 245/60/15s on my truck. Here is a pic of my truck's control arms.

[SCOTI]

Shocks.
Shock quality.
Spring rate.
Bump stops (height or lack of).
OD of front tires.

All these factors are contributors of "if contact is made, how destructive will it be".

[suttonca]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

There is nothing wrong with those control arms you linked, but dont expect much additional clearance. You say that you have a a 5/6 drop. How did you acquire that in the front? Your springs may be to soft causing you to scrape. Have you updated your shocks? Relocating the upper shock mount will allow you to run a longer shock and may prevent this as well.

To be honest, I'm not sure how that was exactly aquired as I bought the truck that way and thatsb just what he told me was in it. Yeh, I'm guessing updating my shocks and springs will make a huge difference. The previous owner also cut off the stoppers and removed the sway bar which might also make a difference I am assuming

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by suttonca

To be honest, I'm not sure how that was exactly aquired as I bought the truck that way and thatsb just what he told me was in it. Yeh, I'm guessing updating my shocks and springs will make a huge difference. The previous owner also cut off the stoppers and removed the sway bar which might also make a difference I am assuming

I would start with a proper assessment of what you have before replacing the A-arms.

How is your ride in general? Is it soft and bouncy, or firm or harsh? Verify that the spindles are dropped. Look at the coils to determine if they have been cut, or possibly heated. Look at the shocks to see if they show signs of leaking.

Regardless, of all that I would replace the sway bar. That won't prevent you from scraping, but it will improve the handling dramatically.

[PanteraRazorback]

Michigan metal works makes some nice looking arms for a good price

[suttonca]

Well I finally decided to do some work to the truck, got sick of bottoming out all over town. Put stock height springs, new shocks, used lower control arms with all new bushings.




Definitely a huge difference although I think it might be to much for the front but now to work on bringing the rear up. Thinking I am going to try a set of lift shackles. I have a flipped axle, the mounts were cut off and welded back on so I really wasn't wanting to reverse it. Any thoughts or ideas that u might have done or seen for this?

[R.S.S.]

Why not just pancake your cross member? That way you could still be as low as you were but you would gain the extra 1.5" in clearance.

[suttonca]

Originally Posted by R.S.S.

Why not just pancake your cross member? That way you could still be as low as you were but you would gain the extra 1.5" in clearance.

I cant say I have ever heard about pancaking the cross member, what does that involve? I would love more details if possible!!!

[R.S.S.]

Here is a pic of one that I was doing for a 65 but it's the same process from 60-87. You section a portion out so that the crossmember physically moves up which will lower your truck allowing you to run taller springs for the same amount of drop. for example lets say you had 3" springs originally. if you sectioned 1" out you would only need 2 inch springs to achieve the same look and you would gain ground clearance.

[BR3W CITY]

I'm pretty low on tall 15's, and my control arms will hit first....better than my oil pan.

I just went down I65 across the Bridge at Lexington and hit that 2" whoop in the pavement a few times at 70. Smoothed the lip right out