Using P30 lower control arms on C20

[Barmstr507]

If this has been posted before I can't find it.
Has anyone tried to use the lower control arm DORMAN 520-183/184.
It shows for use on mainly P30 but also 1981/82 C30/C3500 Pickups

It appears to be the heavier C20 (versus C10) Ball Joint and would eliminate the 2 U-bolts holding the shaft to the cross member, wouldn't have to worry about setting the shaft correctly.

I can't find anyone selling just the shaft except one place asking $150 each just for the Shaft. The entire control arm is selling on Ebay/Amazon for around $53.

Any thoughts, experience

[Steeveedee]

Don't know about that interchange, but NAPA has these kits a lot cheaper than what you were quoted-

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCZ2805521

[Barmstr507]

The shaft you linked to is the old style, not the style that's in the picture. The one in the picture is the one I was quoting the pricing on. The old style is alot cheaper on Ebay/Amazon than the one at NAPA. Thanks

[Wrenchbender Ret]

That control arm was used on the trucks with the heavy duty axles. The regular C & P 30 used the round shaft with U- bolts.

[Barmstr507]

Not sure what the heavy duty axles have to do with the front suspension on a 2wd. From what I can determine is that the control arm in the picture uses the Moog 6129T Ball Joint as used in C20 and C30s. The P30 also uses the same upper control arms as the C20/C30. The holes on the shaft appear to match up the cross member where the U-bolts would normally go. It would appear the C20 spindle would work with this control arm. I just think it would make lower control arms easier to install with no guess work. Just trying to find out if anyone has tried this.

[dflarsen77]

It seems like a super cheap way to get a lower control arm, although I think the 73+ control arms are a little different, don't remember how, but I think you can still use them. $55 or so on ebay, then just get the correct ball joint and shaft. I don't see how you could use that shaft on our trucks, unless the bolt holes line up with the U-bolt holes on the crossmember, and you just use some grade 9 hardware to attach it.

Edit, the ball joint on those lowers is the same for 71+ C10s, so that would work. And I found upper control arms the same way, only $27 each. But the ball joints for those are the 3/4 ton+ version, won't work for the C10, and they're riveted on, so I'd have to grind them out again. Arg. But for ~$160 for 4 new control arms, vs getting mine powdercoated and the cost of ball joints, that's not bad.