What to expect? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Andy4639 · 12-07-2014, 05:23 AM

I'm thinking of buying a set of upper and lower control arms for the truck. I also plan to install the helper air bags I have for the coils also at the same time.

My question: what should I expect out of this swap in performance and ride wise. More the ride than performance since it's a street truck. These are Porterbuilt tublar control arms for a static drop.

Dan@Hotchkis · 12-07-2014, 10:19 AM

With the low cost of quality springs these days, I would suggest to just replace them instead of the helper bags.

Kook87 · 12-07-2014, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

I'm thinking of buying a set of upper and lower control arms for the truck. I also plan to install the helper air bags I have for the coils also at the same time.

My question: what should I expect out of this swap in performance and ride wise. More the ride than performance since it's a street truck. These are Porterbuilt tublar control arms for a static drop.

Coil overs only way to go. I just got mine back from installing a complete ride tech level 2 system. All tubular trailing and control arms, front and rear sway bars and it rides and handles better than I I was expecting.

Kook87 · 12-07-2014, 11:01 AM

[URL=http://s852.photobucket.com/user/kook_2010/media/cars/20141205_130516.jpg.html]

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I don't know exactly what the drop is but it had a 5/7 before and the front sets a little lower now.

Kook87 · 12-07-2014, 11:02 AM

Andy4639 · 12-07-2014, 07:04 PM

I have the air helpers so I'm going with them + I have them out back also already. Later I will add complete air bags at some point in time. I have the front sway bar already to.

I'm just wondering what will the tublar a arms do for me as in ride and performance.

Another question, the guy I'm getting them from says they have the 73-87 up ball joints. Will these work in my stock spindles?

**PGSigns** · 12-08-2014, 07:36 AM

Just swapping the control arms will not ad to the ride or performance of the truck unless they allow for better alignment specs on the front suspension. Springs and shocks will do much more for the performance and ride than anything else. As far as the ball joints go if you are running they wont match the 71 spindles.
Jimmy

Andy4639 · 12-08-2014, 10:04 AM

So I will need the ball joints for the 71 then. I rebuilt the a-arms when I bought the truck 28 years ago maybe a year are two afterwards so putting new bushings and stuff will help it out also I'm sure.

12-07-2014, 05:23 AM	#1
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	What to expect? I'm thinking of buying a set of upper and lower control arms for the truck. I also plan to install the helper air bags I have for the coils also at the same time. My question: what should I expect out of this swap in performance and ride wise. More the ride than performance since it's a street truck. These are Porterbuilt tublar control arms for a static drop. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-07-2014, 10:19 AM	#2
Dan@Hotchkis Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA Posts: 64	Re: What to expect? With the low cost of quality springs these days, I would suggest to just replace them instead of the helper bags.

12-07-2014, 11:01 AM	#4
Kook87 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tipton, In Posts: 59	Re: What to expect? [URL=http://s852.photobucket.com/user/kook_2010/media/cars/20141205_130516.jpg.html][/URL I don't know exactly what the drop is but it had a 5/7 before and the front sets a little lower now. __________________ Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

12-07-2014, 11:02 AM	#5
Kook87 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tipton, In Posts: 59	Re: What to expect? __________________ Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

12-07-2014, 07:04 PM	#6
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: What to expect? I have the air helpers so I'm going with them + I have them out back also already. Later I will add complete air bags at some point in time. I have the front sway bar already to. I'm just wondering what will the tublar a arms do for me as in ride and performance. Another question, the guy I'm getting them from says they have the 73-87 up ball joints. Will these work in my stock spindles? __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. Last edited by Andy4639; 12-07-2014 at 07:10 PM.

12-08-2014, 07:36 AM	#7
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: What to expect? Just swapping the control arms will not ad to the ride or performance of the truck unless they allow for better alignment specs on the front suspension. Springs and shocks will do much more for the performance and ride than anything else. As far as the ball joints go if you are running they wont match the 71 spindles. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

12-08-2014, 10:04 AM	#8
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: What to expect? So I will need the ball joints for the 71 then. I rebuilt the a-arms when I bought the truck 28 years ago maybe a year are two afterwards so putting new bushings and stuff will help it out also I'm sure. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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