Control arms

[JNJchev77]

Is there an advantage/disadvantage running a tube vs flat plate? In terms of possibly running these trucks on a "road track", with air suspension?

[Jeebus]

Thats kind of a hard question to answer. i dont think the flat plate or tube arm will have as much of a difference in it. There both going to supply the same amount of stregnth and structure that would be needed, Both are going to be stronger than stock.

For something like that, your probably going to want whatever is the lightest option. I would guess you would want to fabricate your self some sheet metal arms, to keep them light, but very strong. Or even some Chromoly tubing so that you can cut down on the weight significantly, and keep them strong. Both of those options will be a bit pricier tho!


Taylor

[dv8customs]

Originally Posted by Jeebus

haha, thats a fact!

On a real note tho, whos the admin you would contact for becoming a vendor on the site?

Is there a certain one to contact? I know on some sites there are only certain ones that deal with the vendor information...


Taylor

Contact N2TRUX and he can point you in the right direction.

[Jeebus]

Originally Posted by dv8customs

Contact N2TRUX and he can point you in the right direction.

Thanks!

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by JNJchev77

Is there an advantage/disadvantage running a tube vs flat plate? In terms of possibly running these trucks on a "road track", with air suspension?

The main advantage to a tube arm over a plate arm is the ability to engineer a more rigid part with less weight/mass. You will never see a performance or road race vehicle with custom arms made from plate. You will see lots of off-road arms made from chromoly sheet, but they're gonna be boxed 10ga.

[Jeebus]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

The main advantage to a tube arm over a plate arm is the ability to engineer a more rigid part with less weight/mass. You will never see a performance or road race vehicle with custom arms made from plate. You will see lots of off-road arms made from chromoly sheet, but they're gonna be boxed 10ga.

Do you ever make any sheet metal arms? Just curious your thoughts on them.

I have a customer that whats a set, made from 11g for his off road dakota. Im trying to set up how im going to situate the inside bracing... i kind of had a honeycomb idea to skeleton the inside of the arm to keep it stiff....

I dont know anyone who has made any arms like this, so i figured i would ask.


Taylor

[JNJchev77]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

The main advantage to a tube arm over a plate arm is the ability to engineer a more rigid part with less weight/mass. You will never see a performance or road race vehicle with custom arms made from plate. You will see lots of off-road arms made from chromoly sheet, but they're gonna be boxed 10ga.

Figured the tubes to be much lighter and, at the least, just as strong. Thanks Nate

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Jeebus

Do you ever make any sheet metal arms? Just curious your thoughts on them.

I have a customer that whats a set, made from 11g for his off road dakota. Im trying to set up how im going to situate the inside bracing... i kind of had a honeycomb idea to skeleton the inside of the arm to keep it stiff....

I dont know anyone who has made any arms like this, so i figured i would ask.


Taylor

Honeycomb might be a little overkill, but you are on the right track. For an off-road arm like that look into building it like an upside down truss from a house. Where the peak faces the ground. Integrate the lower coil-over mount into the arm towards the middle of the truss, and recessed into the arm. You can design the coil-over mount to also be bracing for the boxed arm. Keep it light and make it strong at the same time. There are a bunch of off-road forums where you can see some examples... some good, some bad.

[Jeebus]

Originally Posted by porterbuilt

Honeycomb might be a little overkill, but you are on the right track. For an off-road arm like that look into building it like an upside down truss from a house. Where the peak faces the ground. Integrate the lower coil-over mount into the arm towards the middle of the truss, and recessed into the arm. You can design the coil-over mount to also be bracing for the boxed arm. Keep it light and make it strong at the same time. There are a bunch of off-road forums where you can see some examples... some good, some bad.

Thanks for the info!

It seems like the site im usually on pirate4x4 has far too many bad examples haha.

He wants the arms a bit wider than stock as well. do you think it is a must to build them from chromoly sheet? or will standard mild steel suffice?


Taylor

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Guys I did a little editing so we can stay on topic. Lets share the knowledge, and leave the BS out of it.

Apparently I was too polite in this post. I just spent 20 minutes editing the BS out because this is a good post that is worth saving.

Let me make myself perfectly clear here. Take your BS bickering to PM or you will be banned.

[DHPmike]

On a performance arm the structure and weight are important but they are also equaled by the bushings you use. If you want to use the truck for autocross or pro touring you can also go with heim joints. If you want to stay with poly then I suggest Energy Suspension Graphite Impregnated polyurethane. Great road feel without feeling every pebble.

On an upper tube arm adjustable ends would help for autocross or pro touring since you can adjust in more negative camber at the track easily without losing your street alignment.

On a Lower for this application you may want to go with something that has several holes in the lower for a coilover or one that has a spring cup and a coilover mount that bolts into the spring cup.

Then theres sway bar tabs or none, shoch tabs or none etc.

Many options are available in custom built arms. If you want to stick with something off the shelf you will have to do more research into whats available in options.

[NZSquare]

Im a bit late in the thread here but thought I should add:

I have a set of CPP arms and the lowest point now is the tube that runs parallel to the cross shaft, see below under the jack pad. Its not by alot but still kind of odd I thought, or it may be that the arms I bought were early ones, I got them off ebay. Aside from that Im happy with them.



And thanks for the thread clean-up, its does have a bunch of good info.

[DHPmike]

If they cause a problem just have them modified. If you got them off Ebay then you dont have to worry about a warranty.

[sixtyeightchevykid]

this is an old thread but might be worht bringing it back to life... is it possible to put control arms from another vehicle on 67-72 trucks?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by sixtyeightchevykid

this is an old thread but might be worht bringing it back to life... is it possible to put control arms from another vehicle on 67-72 trucks?

Yes.
73-87 truck a-arms.
73-91 suburban a-arms.
73-82 2wd blazer a-arms.