Cupped control arm trouble??

[slownugly]

Hey guys, i have a 69 c10 and just got done cupping the control arms to drop the front a few more inches....every little bit helps!

I know this mod has been done numerous times, so I wanted to see if anyone could shed some light on my situation.

I got the cup cut and plate welded in last night and wanted to make sure everything fit up. If I had been thinking I wouldve tack welded first then checked but, like I said I have seen this mod tons of times. I cut the desired amount out of the ca's from pictures of other members who have also done it with success. Rookie mistake!!

I got the bag centerd in the lower cup to make sure it didnt rub, it looked good! I purchased a pair of upper plates from suicidedoors bolted them up and raised the lower control arm up to check alignment.......and the bag sits back about an 1 1/2" from the top lining up with the bolt holes!???

I redrilled the top plate to align it, but it just bothers me tha it doesnt line up properly?

I have no idea why its not lining up? If anybody has done this mod and can point me in the right direction Id really appreciate it!

[bk2life]

Originally Posted by slownugly

.......and the bag sits back about an 1 1/2" from the top lining up with the bolt holes....

i dont understand this?

bolt the bag to the arm/cup how ever you can, they will move.



this is from my 84. does this pic help at all?
(dont mind the 3x3, chassis was being sandblasted, no air in bags, 3x3 holding front up..)

[slownugly]

Sorry, I didnt realize how confusing that was....if you look straight on from the tip of the control arm (ball joint), looking towards the drivers side control arm, the bag is centered in the lower cup but i hat to drill the top plate 1 1/2" forward, towards the front of the truck.

That will probably confuse you more?? lol sorry

Heres a rough drawing to help clear it up:

[LockDoc]

-
You might have better luck with this if you have the Moderators move it to the "Suspension" forum. I have never heard of anyone doing this mod myself...

LockDoc

[70blackfish]

i bet it just the top plates were not drilled properly for your year truck.

I think mine are the same way

[slownugly]

Originally Posted by 70blackfish

i bet it just the top plates were not drilled properly for your year truck.

I think mine are the same way

Thats kinda what Im thinking since this is pretty straight forward? The plates are designed for 63-87 c10's, so there could definitely be some differences in lay out. I wanted to make sure I wasnt the only one before I modified the top plates. Didnt think it would be a problem, but it threw up some red flags when I went to bolt up the bag to the top plate. I cant cut much more out of the bottom cup for clearance, especially not 1 1/2", but I can modify the top plate no problem.

[ol_skool_chevy]

Are your control arms on the right sides?..there is a left and right..

[Square_78]

The bag shouldnt be "centered" in the lower control arm. Judging by your pic that you drew up, thats probably the issue. You should bolt the bag to the upper plate first, and then mark the location for the bottom mount.

[RenoKeene]

Welcome aboard from Central Florida! Man, I sure hope you don't have to throw that stuff off Sligo bridge and start over.

[slownugly]

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

Are your control arms on the right sides?..there is a left and right..

Yea I pondered that at first, but the shock mounts reassured me that they were on the correct side. I was hoping that was the case since it wouldve been a easy fix, my pride might have been hurt but at least it wouldve fixed it.

The bag shouldnt be "centered" in the lower control arm. Judging by your pic that you drew up, thats probably the issue. You should bolt the bag to the upper plate first, and then mark the location for the bottom mount.

You are exactly right! I didnt even think about it when I drilled the bottom mount. Logically I just assumed it was going to be centered but looking at your picture I realize that the spring pocket sits back towards the shock instead of center. Im attempting to run an 8" diameter bag and centering in my cup allows for adequate clearance, sooooo my next question is do you guys think it would cause any issues if i center it in the lower and then modify the top plate and run with that?

Welcome aboard from Central Florida! Man, I sure hope you don't have to throw that stuff off Sligo bridge and start over.

Haha I take it youve been up this way?? One question....why in the WORLD were you in smithville!!!???? I actually just moved up here a few months ago from Jupiter, Fl ....and to be honest Im starting to miss the weather and daylight down there!? It gets pitch black dark here at 4 pm!? Makes it had to get motivated after work...but I guess I will push through

[shawno72]

Curious to see how this plays out.

[slownugly]

Originally Posted by shawno72

Curious to see how this plays out.

me too! lol Got any sugeestions? I dont see modifying the top plate causing any issues as long as theres plenty of clearance, I just hope somebody with a experience with this situation can shoot me straight

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by slownugly

me too! lol Got any sugeestions? I dont see modifying the top plate causing any issues as long as theres plenty of clearance, I just hope somebody with a experience with this situation can shoot me straight

I don't see why modifying the top plate would hurt but I would think it would line up. Just wondering why it doesn't..

[slownugly]

Originally Posted by shawno72

I don't see why modifying the top plate would hurt but I would think it would line up. Just wondering why it doesn't..

It didn make sense to me either, until Square posted that picture. If you look at square 78's picture, you can see that the stock spring pocket isn't exactly centered in the lower control arm. When I cut and cupped mine I just centered the bag in the lower control arms new cupped opening(my picture at the beginning shows my new cup), which in turn moves the top plates center line off by about 1" - 1 1/2" ....I may just fudge a little on both top and bottom until I get a happy median with adeqaute bag clearance

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by slownugly

It didn make sense to me either, until Square posted that picture. If you look at square 78's picture, you can see that the stock spring pocket isn't exactly centered in the lower control arm. When I cut and cupped mine I just centered the bag in the lower control arms new cupped opening(my picture at the beginning shows my new cup), which in turn moves the top plates center line off by about 1" - 1 1/2" ....I may just fudge a little on both top and bottom until I get a happy median with adeqaute bag clearance

I think that is probably the easiest fix.

[slownugly]

Shawn, Is that your truck in your avatar? How did you get it that low? LOOKS GOOD!

[shawno72]

Originally Posted by slownugly

Shawn, Is that your truck in your avatar? How did you get it that low? LOOKS GOOD!

Photoshop for now...shhhhh

[slownugly]

Well regardless it sits good....and dont worry your secrets safe with me

[RenoKeene]

I havn't bagged a truck yet but you should be ok, basically it changes the bump-steer as far as a spring goes, you can adjust the change out with the final caster, camber setup. Check all your clearances in mockup for your brakes and steering. Try to factor in realistic weighs on the front end under ride height. You seem like you have the skills to figure it out.
I moved from FL to Sparta when I was a JR in high school, the waterskiing on the lake was the best I had ever seen, at 6am it was glass all the way from Sligo to Rock Island! I jumped off of Sligo bridge not once but twice!! That was 1974. Good times. My daughters live in Cookville today. Small world.
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[RenoKeene]

After looking at this again I don't think you will have room for swaybar mounts.
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[slownugly]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

I havn't bagged a truck yet but you should be ok, basically it changes the bump-steer as far as a spring goes, you can adjust the change out with the final caster, camber setup. Check all your clearances in mockup for your brakes and steering. Try to factor in realistic weighs on the front end under ride height. You seem like you have the skills to figure it out.
I moved from FL to Sparta when I was a JR in high school, the waterskiing on the lake was the best I had ever seen, at 6am it was glass all the way from Sligo to Rock Island! I jumped off of Sligo bridge not once but twice!! That was 1974. Good times. My daughters live in Cookville today. Small world.
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Wow! It really is a small world. How cool! I have friends in Cookeville and if Im not out in the garage, then Im usually in Cookeville.

WAIT......WHAT!! YOU JUMPED OFF SLIGO BRIDGE!!!??? You sir are a braver man than I! Ive jumped off the cliffs by sligo numerous times and my friends and I have always joked about jumping off the bridge....but I could never bring myself to actually do it. You wouldn't happen to be the guy in the video on youube jumping, would ya??

[midniteblues]

sometimes I really pick up on what people say/type
i dont think u tube was around in 74'

I loved jumping off bridges/cliffs when I was younger but theres really nothing serious around here maybe 120ft. at the most.alot of us wanted more

[shawno72]

And we thought we were brave by standing on the train tresal and jump about 40ft into the river just before the train hit us Man that tresal would shake and the engineer would blare the horn. Haha good times, good times. Sadly now the kids use that area for drug use and you know what else.
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[slownugly]

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_i7Nj-PIM8

[RenoKeene]

Originally Posted by slownugly

Wow! It really is a small world. How cool! I have friends in Cookeville and if Im not out in the garage, then Im usually in Cookeville.

WAIT......WHAT!! YOU JUMPED OFF SLIGO BRIDGE!!!??? You sir are a braver man than I! Ive jumped off the cliffs by sligo numerous times and my friends and I have always joked about jumping off the bridge....but I could never bring myself to actually do it. You wouldn't happen to be the guy in the video on youube jumping, would ya??

Yep, no video back then. The reason I jumped the second time was the girl I was trying to impress wasn't looking the first time and yes she was that hot! Her name was Wanda Rose and I still think she was one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen. Whoever ended up marrying her...congrats sir, you are my hero

Now go finish your truck