Front suspension busted. What now?

[menlatin]

Ok, so my left lower control arm ripped it self off the cross shaft, and ym front susp has needed a rebuild for about the last 5 years. I also want to drop it, but not sure how much. I plan on running a 29" slick with 275/60's on the front, and want a pretty flat stance.
As for the suspension i know i need 2 new lower control arms cause the other is already damaged, but was wondering if anyone makes tubular lower arms?
I've come up with 2 options.
1 - I can rebuild this front susp, get new upper and lower arms, but will have to rebuld with stock compnetns (can't find any poly).
2 - Or i can swap a 73+ front suspension, but still have to buy tubular upper arms, and rebuild it, but have the option of poly.
I hear the the 73+ susp is a much nicer ride and all, but i dont know what parts i do/dont need and dont know how i can get the best deal. I'm about the start school again, so funds are very limited. But i need to get my truck fixed, and i dont want to just "getting it going", i want to do it this once, and do it right so i dont have/want to go back and redo it. I cant remember where it was but there was this website that had a "stage 2 " suspension pagckage, that came with shocks, and springs, and adj tracking bar, and some other stuff, but i can't find it. Anyone know what it is? But i think that will just work with option 1.

[1971 Cheyenne]

i gotta run right now, but just a word about the 73^ suspension riding better. There is no way, because it is an identical setup. Very minor differences in the ball joints/spindles/bushings etc. They used this same suspension setup until quite recently.

[menlatin]

well then maybe it was the 82+ suspension, i heard something about it using some rubber pieces instead of rubber linings.

[68C15]

the later ones had rubber bushings instead of the metal bushings. IMO the older design works better because there is no "slop" & it lasts longer.
try early classic enterprises.

[menlatin]

Oh wait, i found a poly front end kit for 63-72!!! Sweet, now i know what i'm gonna do. And i found the site with the stage 2 kit.. So now does anyone make tubular lower arms?

[Tx Firefighter]

Let's make this completely clear, you are not comparing apples to apples.

The 72 and older trucks used steel screw in bushings. There never has been a poly replacement for them and there never will be.

The 73 and newer trucks use rubber busings. You can buy poly or rubber or even polygraphite, whatever you want.

I've been messing with these trucks for a long time and I can honestly say I've never been able to tell one style rides better than the other from seat of the pants.

If you find a listing for a poly kit for the front of a 72 or earlier truck, you are not getting poly control arm bushings. You might be getting poly sway bar bushings, or even tie rod or ball joint boots, but not control arm bushings. I guarantee it.

[menlatin]

http://www.performancesuspension.com/truckfek.htm

[Tx Firefighter]

Their ad is wrong. These trucks use steel screw in bushings. It's impossible to make a poly bushing screw in and work.

If you order them and they send you poly bushings and they work in place of the steel bushings, I will personally send you a 50 dollar bill.

[Tx Firefighter]

here's a picture of steel screw in bushing...