PB control arms

[allons]

I'm thinkin that I'm going to buy upper and lower PB control arms for my '72. But, I'm wanting to have the axle centerline pushed forward to center the wheel/tire, and I'm thinking about narrowing the arms 1" so that I can get some wider wheels in the wheelhouse.

Has anyone done anything like this? Is there a downside to making these changes? Thanks for your input!

[sduckworth13]

That only down side is when you buy your Dropmember the wheels won't be centered in the wheel well since the Dropmember is made so that your wheels are centered and eliminate the need for the 1 inch forward a-arms.

[sduckworth13]

I have the standard upper and lower Porterbuilt A-Arms, I am bagging my truck with a PB 2 PC C-notch in the rear, but went with the standard A-arms because I want to keep my options open just in case I decide to go lower.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by allons

I'm thinkin that I'm going to buy upper and lower PB control arms for my '72. But, I'm wanting to have the axle centerline pushed forward to center the wheel/tire, and I'm thinking about narrowing the arms 1" so that I can get some wider wheels in the wheelhouse.

Has anyone done anything like this? Is there a downside to making these changes? Thanks for your input!

No downside to this set-up with the stock crossmember.
Just order your front wheels with the 1" narrowed a-arms in mind.

[sduckworth13]

Here is the Porterbuilt forward arm thread located in the vendor section
This thread has a lot of info about the forward arms.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537266

[allons]

Originally Posted by lolife99

No downside to this set-up with the stock crossmember.
Just order your front wheels with the 1" narrowed a-arms in mind.

Thanks lolife, I'm planning on using the stock X member with 2 1/2 drop spdls, 1" shorter springs, and the PB arms. My build is a driver so I'm lookin for ride, handling, function, and style.

Almost forgot . . . . can I use wider wheels with the 1" narrower PB arms?

[allons]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Here is the Porterbuilt forward arm thread located in the vendor section
This thread has a lot of info about the forward arms.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537266

thanks for the thread, sduck!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by allons

Thanks lolife, I'm planning on using the stock X member with 2 1/2 drop spdls, 1" shorter springs, and the PB arms. My build is a driver so I'm lookin for ride, handling, function, and style.

Almost forgot . . . . can I use wider wheels with the 1" narrower PB arms?

Depends on what you call wider?
These trucks already have a wider track width up front from the factory.
I think the 1" narrowed a-arm's make the stock wheels perfect.
Or at least bring them in where they match the rear track width.

What is your plans for wheels?

[andrewmp6]

If you want to find out the max wheel and tire size you can run get a wheelrite.Its like 80 bucks but will let you test fit any wheel size and back spacing you can dream of.

[Pro Performance]

On static drops, I will usually suggest a 1" forward lower and standard upper. This will still push the wheel forward some, and also increase the caster for better geometry and handling.

With a static drop, the wheel being off centered in the wheel opening isn't as noticeable. So in my opinion, just the 1" forward lower still works well. Moves it appx. 1/2" or so.

[allons]

Thanks to everyone for all of the input! Pro Perf, I haven't got my head around just moving the lowers forward but I'm working on the logic. As far as the wheel width is concerned, I was thinking that a 1" narrower arm would give me the room to get a 9" wheel in the wheelhouse and still keep the swing radius and suspension travel. Obviously, as a DD the suspension needs to be able to function in all kinds of road conditions as a static drop vehicle. The rear wheels are 12" wide (15" dia) and the rear wheel house has already had the tubs widened by 2".

[Pro Performance]

It still really comes down to the available room in the stock wheel well and just general nature of the C10, in how large of wheel you can go with up front. Yes, your swing radius will change with 1" narrowed arms, but the clearance is really going to come from getting the right backspace. You can run a 9" wheel on a stock length control arm, but would just have less wheel lip due to the wider track width (vs. a borrowed arms). Mostly, narrowed arms will help tuck the wheel in for better turning radius, and get some wheel lip back, if building custom wheels.

I have done 9's before on the front of these trucks, and they do clear. Just have to move the wheel out some and put some of the extra width on the inside. Being you are static dropped, there is more room on the inside and can move the wheel out a tad. Like anything, adding a larger wheel up front will increase the possibility of rubbing under certain conditions. Every day driving, I think you will be more than Ok.

If you have a certain wheel that is already made, or a 1-piece available in only 1 backspace, the narrowed arms can help with clearance by tucking them in. If having custom wheels made, then you can go with either, and would just adjust backspace accordingly.

Hope this info helps. Feel free to call me as well.

Thanks,

- Travis

[CHRIS67GMC]

You can run 10 inch wheels if you measure right. In the stock wheel wheels.

[lolife99]

9" wide or 10" wide wheels up front are alot easier with BIG diameter wheels.
(Backspacing can be greater to allow the wheels to tuck more)
However,... The OP wants to run a 15" wheel up front.
This limits the backspacing to a max of 4".
MY opinion,... a 15x8 with a 4" backspace would be perfect with the narrowed arms.
Stock arms would make a 9'' or 10" rim stick out too much.
Stock arms with a 8" rim is what alot of people run,...
but the track width is still wider than the rear unless you offset it with a wider rear wheel. (10"+)

[allons]

Originally Posted by Pro Performance

It still really comes down to the available room in the stock wheel well and just general nature of the C10, in how large of wheel you can go with up front. Yes, your swing radius will change with 1" narrowed arms, but the clearance is really going to come from getting the right backspace. You can run a 9" wheel on a stock length control arm, but would just have less wheel lip due to the wider track width (vs. a borrowed arms). Mostly, narrowed arms will help tuck the wheel in for better turning radius, and get some wheel lip back, if building custom wheels.

I have done 9's before on the front of these trucks, and they do clear. Just have to move the wheel out some and put some of the extra width on the inside. Being you are static dropped, there is more room on the inside and can move the wheel out a tad. Like anything, adding a larger wheel up front will increase the possibility of rubbing under certain conditions. Every day driving, I think you will be more than Ok.

Thanks, Pro! I'll be giving you a call to discuss this further. I really need to understand the 1" forward only on the lower CA, I'm OK with the 1"
narrower logic. Thanks for your input!

If you have a certain wheel that is already made, or a 1-piece available in only 1 backspace, the narrowed arms can help with clearance by tucking them in. If having custom wheels made, then you can go with either, and would just adjust backspace accordingly.

Hope this info helps. Feel free to call me as well.

Thanks,

- Travis

Thanks for the input, I'll call to discuss further

[allons]

Thanks for all of the input. Many of my questions got answered and there are some answers that I need to think more about. I appreciate your comments!

[allons]

Originally Posted by CHRIS67GMC

You can run 10 inch wheels if you measure right. In the stock wheel wheels.

You have raised my curiousity . . . . what do you mean by 'if you measure right'? Are you referring to the offset? Thanks,

[CHRIS67GMC]

Yes backspacing is dead on and you move the sway bar you can run a lot of tire up front.

[allons]

Originally Posted by CHRIS67GMC

Yes backspacing is dead on and you move the sway bar you can run a lot of tire up front.

My swaybar is 1.25" thick . . . . . . how and where do I move such a chunk of iron? With a large backspace, does a 10" wheel interfere with the swaybar in the turning radius? Am I understanding you correctly?