Upper control arm spacers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

thomas_a_reed · 06-17-2011, 11:26 AM

I need a little advice.. I'm curently in the procces of lowering my 81 C10 and wanted to use the factory control arms to save a few bucks. As low as i'm going this causes problems. I cut off the original upper control arm bolts and welded in 1/2 grade 8 bolts that are about 2inchs longer so i have more adjustment.. I didnt want to use shims to fill in the gaps so I made these.. what do you guys think.Will this work or should i just start over.. Also if this info helps on the rear I did an axle flip and 3 inch drop blocks and a c notch.. i also have 2 inch spindals for the front..

Malo83 · 06-17-2011, 02:55 PM

This is what the spacers look like on my 83, the spacers have the 3 "X"s on them, I also have the longer bolts but are not welded in, spacers are 1/2" thick and work pretty good for keeping the alignment along with 2 cut coils

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

thomas_a_reed · 06-17-2011, 04:28 PM

Man why oh why didnt I think to use flat stock intead.. Been alot easier to cut and drill.. I guess my next question would be do i need to use the factory spacers too..?

*cr34t3d_by_d4rkd3n* · 06-18-2011, 08:23 PM

id chuck those and start over, ur gonna have to use some type of spacer system, maybe use a link like a tie rod, to adjust in and out, alignment shop will still have to shim it up ur way.

I dont know man ive been tossing ideas like yours around for awhile and ive some to figure, if stocks lasted this long, itll last another 40.... go stock and save for some tube arms, thatd solve ur problem

jokerswild · 06-19-2011, 04:56 AM

Why don't you just use offset upper control arm shafts. It's what I use when I was told there would be too many shims to align my truck.
Posted via Mobile Device

J Knight · 06-19-2011, 04:13 PM

Why dont you cut the rivots off and unbolt the alignmet bolt perch and space it out about 2 inches from the frame. Then you coud use the stock alignment bolt with no spacers.

notyo_cheez · 06-19-2011, 04:38 PM

What cr34t3d_by_d4rkd3n said, start over and do it right. Any time you add to or take away from stock/OEM you're changing the game for everything else and with the steering/suspension system you don't want to flub this.

I may do this as well, the tubular control arm setup as I'm thinking about a 2" drop. Especially since the truck is wearing its OEM bushings and ball joints...

06-17-2011, 11:26 AM	#1
thomas_a_reed Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: belpre ohio Posts: 78	Upper control arm spacers I need a little advice.. I'm curently in the procces of lowering my 81 C10 and wanted to use the factory control arms to save a few bucks. As low as i'm going this causes problems. I cut off the original upper control arm bolts and welded in 1/2 grade 8 bolts that are about 2inchs longer so i have more adjustment.. I didnt want to use shims to fill in the gaps so I made these.. what do you guys think.Will this work or should i just start over.. Also if this info helps on the rear I did an axle flip and 3 inch drop blocks and a c notch.. i also have 2 inch spindals for the front.. Attached Images __________________ 66 CHEVY STEPSIDE 2WD W/283 ( FAMILY HAND ME DOWN) 81 CHEVY SHORT BED 2WD W/250 4SPD TRANS STRAIGHT 6 ( CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 01 SILVERADO SHORT BED 2WD W/4.3 5SPD TRANS ( DAILY DRIVER) Sold 03 SIERRA 4X4 STEP SIDE EXTRA CAB 5.3 AUTO( NEW DD) 09 CHEVY COBALT W2.2 AUTO (GF'S DAILY DRIVER)

06-17-2011, 02:55 PM	#2
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: Upper control arm spacers This is what the spacers look like on my 83, the spacers have the 3 "X"s on them, I also have the longer bolts but are not welded in, spacers are 1/2" thick and work pretty good for keeping the alignment along with 2 cut coils Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us Last edited by Malo83; 06-17-2011 at 02:57 PM.

06-17-2011, 04:28 PM	#3
thomas_a_reed Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: belpre ohio Posts: 78	Re: Upper control arm spacers Man why oh why didnt I think to use flat stock intead.. Been alot easier to cut and drill.. I guess my next question would be do i need to use the factory spacers too..? __________________ 66 CHEVY STEPSIDE 2WD W/283 ( FAMILY HAND ME DOWN) 81 CHEVY SHORT BED 2WD W/250 4SPD TRANS STRAIGHT 6 ( CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION) 01 SILVERADO SHORT BED 2WD W/4.3 5SPD TRANS ( DAILY DRIVER) Sold 03 SIERRA 4X4 STEP SIDE EXTRA CAB 5.3 AUTO( NEW DD) 09 CHEVY COBALT W2.2 AUTO (GF'S DAILY DRIVER)

06-18-2011, 08:23 PM	#4
cr34t3d_by_d4rkd3n Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 188	Re: Upper control arm spacers id chuck those and start over, ur gonna have to use some type of spacer system, maybe use a link like a tie rod, to adjust in and out, alignment shop will still have to shim it up ur way. I dont know man ive been tossing ideas like yours around for awhile and ive some to figure, if stocks lasted this long, itll last another 40.... go stock and save for some tube arms, thatd solve ur problem Last edited by cr34t3d_by_d4rkd3n; 06-18-2011 at 08:25 PM.

06-19-2011, 04:56 AM	#5
jokerswild Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: decatur,GA Posts: 6	Re: Upper control arm spacers Why don't you just use offset upper control arm shafts. It's what I use when I was told there would be too many shims to align my truck. Posted via Mobile Device

06-19-2011, 04:13 PM	#6
J Knight Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Baytown TX Posts: 2,219	Re: Upper control arm spacers Why dont you cut the rivots off and unbolt the alignmet bolt perch and space it out about 2 inches from the frame. Then you coud use the stock alignment bolt with no spacers. __________________ John 82 Chevy Silverado 350ci/TH350

06-19-2011, 04:38 PM	#7
notyo_cheez Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: corpus christi, tx - america's fattest city Posts: 253	Re: Upper control arm spacers What cr34t3d_by_d4rkd3n said, start over and do it right. Any time you add to or take away from stock/OEM you're changing the game for everything else and with the steering/suspension system you don't want to flub this. I may do this as well, the tubular control arm setup as I'm thinking about a 2" drop. Especially since the truck is wearing its OEM bushings and ball joints...



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