What is the advantage to buying new control arms?

[abadsvt]

I was looking at air ride tech and was wondering why you would want to replace your stock control arm. Granted if yours are beat up or rusted then okay. Is the whole purpose because they are less bulky? Sorry for the ignorance i am just researching every thing for my truck so that way i do it right the first time. Thanks Josh

[CochinoFilipino]

I'd think they change things like ball joint angles and the length of the arms so that one can get proper suspension geometry in a lowered application. Hopefully someone will confirm.

They also are stiffer than the OE stamped pieces and will not flex as much under hard driving conditions. This all adds up to better handling.

[XXL]

In conversations with Tony, et al, while the units were being proto'd, they indicated that the stock 4° KPI was reduced to 2°. The only other "obvious" difference is that there's a flat plate on the bottom for the air bag, which sets the bag a tad lower than stock, but more important... eliminates the need* for the bottom bag bracket.


* Where "need" has been debated on this board many times.

[abadsvt]

So the big question. Is it worth the 1k dollars from air ride? I hope someone comments on this cause i really would like to know. Thanks Josh

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by abadsvt

So the big question. Is it worth the 1k dollars from air ride? I hope someone comments on this cause i really would like to know. Thanks Josh

To some they're worth the money (1K??); others would prefer to modify their stock stuff. . . .... both will allow the truck to drive down the road.

What's your budget?

[7deuce]

I have the lower ART control arms and I didnt gain any more drop than I did with the stock arms with a plate welded in the bottoms. The only thing is they look better than stock. And if your willin to shell out the cash for them I think your better off with modified stock arms or having someone make a custom set for you. I am not pleased with ART. Others may like them but I dont.

[abadsvt]

I plan on having the whole frame and all of it accessories powder coated so in the end you will not see that they are strong arms. Has anyone had them custom made? If so how much? Thanks Josh

[7deuce]

Ask Camaro Thunder, he has one off's.

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Our arms and cross shafts also take your factory roughly .5 degrees of caster to about 5 degrees of caster which makes the truck handle and drive alot better. Alot of guys will consider the cost of replacing the ball joints and bushings because the arms come with them.