73-87 control arms on 72?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wlarue72 · 10-13-2007, 12:19 PM

I recently purchased some later model control arms to put on my 72. I am doing this to get a better ride. My question is, is my truck going to sit at the same height as it does now. Looking at the later model arms, it looks as if the spring cups are more shallow, which it seems to me would raise the height. Advice please?

SCOTI · 10-13-2007, 01:03 PM

The a-arms might change the ride height enough to notice w/a tape measure. But..... visually, you prob wouldn't be able to detect a difference.

When my buddy did this swap recently, we did notice the later springs were taller than the earlier springs. Since I was helping him w/the disc brake & suspension swap (along w/a mild altitude adjustment), we went w/the shorter, early-model springs & it worked well.

wlarue72 · 10-13-2007, 01:54 PM

Thanks Scott, I was thinking about using the later springs as they are for a small block and the ones I have on there now are big block springs. Think they might make up for the difference? I am eventually gonna go with 2.5" drop spindles..... David

gringoloco · 10-13-2007, 02:02 PM

I just did this exact swap om my trucks. If there is a change in ride height, it is negligible...

impala_631 · 10-13-2007, 09:54 PM

what does the swap do for the truck? a better ride?

SCOTI · 10-14-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impala_631

what does the swap do for the truck? a better ride?

Rubber bushings vs. rubber-lined steel bushings. Less harsh ride quality & better vibration/harmonics dampening.

gringoloco · 10-14-2007, 08:26 AM

Cheaper more readily available parts and shorter cups if you're bagged...

wlarue72 · 10-14-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impala_631

what does the swap do for the truck? a better ride?

What Scoti said

hotrodhomi · 10-14-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Cheaper more readily available parts and shorter cups if you're bagged...

why shorter cups if bagged. Are the "72 arms recesses more? Will the spindles interchange?

gringoloco · 10-14-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrodhomi

why shorter cups if bagged. Are the "72 arms recesses more? Will the spindles interchange?

The '73-up arms are shallower, allowing for about an inch shorter cup than with the '72-down arms. Spindles are interchangeable with a balljoint/tie rod swap. Easy upgrade with the 71-72 as you only need upper balljoints and outer tie-rods; the earlier ones need more parts swapped out...

10-13-2007, 12:19 PM	#1
wlarue72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 244	73-87 control arms on 72?? I recently purchased some later model control arms to put on my 72. I am doing this to get a better ride. My question is, is my truck going to sit at the same height as it does now. Looking at the later model arms, it looks as if the spring cups are more shallow, which it seems to me would raise the height. Advice please? __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 402 daily driver. A lifetime project!

10-13-2007, 01:03 PM	#2
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,924	Re: 73-87 control arms on 72?? The a-arms might change the ride height enough to notice w/a tape measure. But..... visually, you prob wouldn't be able to detect a difference. When my buddy did this swap recently, we did notice the later springs were taller than the earlier springs. Since I was helping him w/the disc brake & suspension swap (along w/a mild altitude adjustment), we went w/the shorter, early-model springs & it worked well. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

10-13-2007, 01:54 PM	#3
wlarue72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 244	Re: 73-87 control arms on 72?? Thanks Scott, I was thinking about using the later springs as they are for a small block and the ones I have on there now are big block springs. Think they might make up for the difference? I am eventually gonna go with 2.5" drop spindles..... David __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 402 daily driver. A lifetime project!

10-13-2007, 02:02 PM	#4
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,920	Re: 73-87 control arms on 72?? I just did this exact swap om my trucks. If there is a change in ride height, it is negligible... __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy

10-13-2007, 09:54 PM	#5
impala_631 :( BYEBYE :( Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: terre haute indiana Posts: 200	Re: 73-87 control arms on 72?? what does the swap do for the truck? a better ride? __________________ THE IMPALA 74 C-10 "SNOTTROCKET"BUILD UP http://www.layitlow.com/forums/index...owtopic=370899

10-14-2007, 08:26 AM	#7
gringoloco A guy with a truck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Germany, for now Posts: 5,920	Re: 73-87 control arms on 72?? Cheaper more readily available parts and shorter cups if you're bagged... __________________ -Chris Instagram _elgringoloco_ '70 Short-Wide How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10 ‘70 Blazer ConversionHow To: Ruin a Perfectly Good 4wd '72 Highlander How To: Ruin a Perfectly Good K/5 (SOLD) '72 Blazer 2WD How to: Ruin a perfectly good Blazer (SOLD) '05 Yukon Daily Driven (not so stock) Yukon (SOLD) ‘07 Yukon Denali (daily) Members met list: SCOTI, darkhorse970, 67cheby, 67cheby'sGirl, klmore, porterbuilt, n2billet, Fastrucken, classicchev, Col Clank, GSFMECH, HuggerCST, Spray-Bomb, BACKYARD88, 5150, fine69, fatbass, smbrouss70, 65StreetCruiser, GAc10boy



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