Making your own control arms?

[abadsvt]

I was checking on what control arms cost and it blew me away. Just for the control arms is about $700 and up. I have seen alot of different post about people building there own frames and i always see that they build there own control arms. This sounds like a cost effective and kind of fun to do them. Has anyone have personal experience building a set? Is it harder than it seems? I have the money to buys some but it is hard to justify that much money. I know i can always use the stock ones but they are VERY big and bulky. Any comments or possibly a thread on someone building a set would be appreciated very much. Thanks Josh

[nandress]

Originally Posted by abadsvt

I was checking on what control arms cost and it blew me away. Just for the control arms is about $700 and up. I have seen alot of different post about people building there own frames and i always see that they build there own control arms. This sounds like a cost effective and kind of fun to do them. Has anyone have personal experience building a set? Is it harder than it seems? I have the money to buys some but it is hard to justify that much money. I know i can always use the stock ones but they are VERY big and bulky. Any comments or possibly a thread on someone building a set would be appreciated very much. Thanks Josh

I know this is not the answer you are looking for, but have you looked at the new tubular arms kit that CPP is selling? They looked real nice to me, and if our truck wasn't already in final assembly, I probably would have jumped on them. (My dad hates me springing these "wouldn't this be nice" projects at the last minute!)

Anywho, I wouldn't put building your own out of your realm of possibility. My recommendations would be to bone up on a chassis building book (the Carroll Smith books are really good, the Forbes Airde stuff is crap) to make sure you understand the fundamentals, use high quality DOM Chromoly and real racing rod ends, and take your time getting your caster and camber measurements straight. Since you are bagging and dropping your suspension, I would say building your own is a better idea than using the stock ones anyway. BUT... You may not be able to build your suspension for cheaper than a kit.

[wibilly]

do a search i seem to remember someone here built there own