1960-1962 Lower control arms

[luifer76]

i try serching here first but i didnt come up anything...... has anyone modified 60-62 lower control arms to accept a bag? i know most people upgrade to 63 or newer front suspension which im thinking is more practical than torsion bars based on this picture i found looks like making a filler plate or welding a flat plate to the lowers will work but i wanted to get more ideas on how other members have done it any info/input and pictures would be very helpful and will be greatly appreciated..... thanks in advanced.

[slepysal]

I want toi know too!! Any one ?

[61_FL_Apache]

Well, I have not done it yet, but my plan is to weld in a 1/4 plate to cover most of the bottom of the arm. For the top, its not completely flat, I want to use a standard upper bag plate for the 64-66 trucks. The dimention of that is the same as far as I know.. That will give you to places to mount the bag..

The next challenge is to remove the tortion bars.. I put a little effort into that when I had my LCA's out to change bushings and ball joints.. They didn't want to move at all.. I wanted to pull the bars out, index them one place over so the adjusting bolts don't hang to low for how..

When I ever do my bags, I place to use the stock LCA's and will post plenty of pics.

[luifer76]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Well, I have not done it yet, but my plan is to weld in a 1/4 plate to cover most of the bottom of the arm. For the top, its not completely flat, I want to use a standard upper bag plate for the 64-66 trucks. The dimention of that is the same as far as I know.. That will give you to places to mount the bag..

The next challenge is to remove the tortion bars.. I put a little effort into that when I had my LCA's out to change bushings and ball joints.. They didn't want to move at all.. I wanted to pull the bars out, index them one place over so the adjusting bolts don't hang to low for how..

When I ever do my bags, I place to use the stock LCA's and will post plenty of pics.

that's what i was thinking about doing welding a flat plate and fill in the lowers but what's the deal with the tortion bars how hard is to take them off? are they needed once the bag is in place?

[sevensixoh]

The bags should do the work of the torsion bars . Can we just take a sawzall and cut those suckers off ??

[luifer76]

Originally Posted by sevensixoh

Can we just take a sawzall and cut those suckers off ??

that's a good idea lol

[luifer76]

well either way im gonna remove them when i bag the truck im gonna be starting here withing the next couple weeks so ill let you guys know how much fun it is to remove them

[sevensixoh]

koo

[61_FL_Apache]

The bars would come off somehow. Either a saw or torch would do the trick.
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[slepysal]

looking forward to this !!!

[markeb01]

I'll see if I can find the link, because I've seen at least one thread where a member welded a plate to the lower 60-62 arms as suggested.

Also it might be easier to remove the arms by use of a cut off wheel that trying to pull them out of the original sockets. That first picture is of my original suspension after removal from the chassis. The reason the torsion bars are still attached is because I never could get them out. Once the suspension was on the garage floor I beat them senseless with a sledge hammer just to see if I could get them to move, and they never did.

Also, once the torsion bars are gone, it's okay to unbolt and remove the anchor crossmember at the rear of the bars. It serves no further purpose, everything else on the frame is welded together in that area, and having it out of the way makes for much easier exhaust routing.

[luifer76]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I'll see if I can find the link, because I've seen at least one thread where a member welded a plate to the lower 60-62 arms as suggested.

Also it might be easier to remove the arms by use of a cut off wheel that trying to pull them out of the original sockets. That first picture is of my original suspension after removal from the chassis. The reason the torsion bars are still attached is because I never could get them out. Once the suspension was on the garage floor I beat them senseless with a sledge hammer just to see if I could get them to move, and they never did.

Also, once the torsion bars are gone, it's okay to unbolt and remove the anchor crossmember at the rear of the bars. It serves no further purpose, everything else on the frame is welded together in that area, and having it out of the way makes for much easier exhaust routing.

good to know all this info before i get my hands dirty lol and i think im gonna cut them off like you said but if by any chance you can find the link of the guy that modified the lowers that would be great and greatly appreciated thanks again.

[Brad54]

For removing the torsion bars, I took a long steel drift/punch, inserted it into the front of the torsion bar socket on the control arm, and beat it it with a 3-pound hammer.
One came out, I haven't tackled the second one.

One thing I will do next time... well, two things actually, is I'll stand it on end and squirt a lot of PB Blaster into it, and/or I'll heat the outside of the sleeve with a torch two or three times to get it to break lose from the torsion bar.

It's a snug fit from the factory, but by now they've pretty much just rusted together. Treat as any other part.
No need to cut or torch the torsion bar and leave the stub in the control arm.

-Brad

[luifer76]

Originally Posted by Brad54

For removing the torsion bars, I took a long steel drift/punch, inserted it into the front of the torsion bar socket on the control arm, and beat it it with a 3-pound hammer.
One came out, I haven't tackled the second one.

One thing I will do next time... well, two things actually, is I'll stand it on end and squirt a lot of PB Blaster into it, and/or I'll heat the outside of the sleeve with a torch two or three times to get it to break lose from the torsion bar.

It's a snug fit from the factory, but by now they've pretty much just rusted together. Treat as any other part.
No need to cut or torch the torsion bar and leave the stub in the control arm.

-Brad

cool thanks for the info....

[markeb01]

Here’s a 62 with bags, although it’s not the thread I’m looking for. Perhaps the owner can provide some more input:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...+arm+bag+mount

[luifer76]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Here’s a 62 with bags, although it’s not the thread I’m looking for. Perhaps the owner can provide some more input:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...+arm+bag+mount

right on bro thanks for the link....

[luifer76]

well i figure ill keep this thread alive here is the pic of the truck im gonna be bagging is a family members truck and im gonna help him get it closer to the ground might ass well post the progress as i go here in this thread too is a 1960 all original suspension just lowered right now not sure how low it sits i do plan on getting it the lowest possible with the same suspension minus the torsion bars.....

[dr69burb]

Have that's a cool truck bro I didn't know you were doing another one.
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[luifer76]

Originally Posted by dr69burb

Have that's a cool truck bro I didn't know you were doing another one.
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well i havent started yet lol they dropped it off yesterday morning so i had to put the bed back on my 73 to make some room the bed is on my 73 is just sitting on the of the frame is not bolted or anything yet since i still have to hook up all my air ride stuff/ fuel lines and all but im not body dropping this one is just gonna be a quick bag job and get it to lay the lowest possible...

[luifer76]

im still waiting for my buddy with the 65 to get ready so i can get the notch from you so far i haven't hear from him but ill let you know...

[61_FL_Apache]

Your whole fleet is bagged

[luifer76]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Your whole fleet is bagged

yes it is...

[luifer76]

well today i got the truck on jackstands and took the whole front suspension apart here are some pics....

[luifer76]

well today i beat the torsion bars out of the control arms it wasnt too bad like oher people described but they were pretty snug in there i also stated to cup the lca's i used a old bag just for mock up purposes here are some pics

[luifer76]

more pics....