73-87 tubular control arm question

[naphtali5725]

hey guys, i've got an 86 silverado, have a question...
any recommendations on a tubular control arm and or complete front end kit?
the whole front end suspension on my truck needs rebuilt, all rod ends/ball joints, control arm bushings, idler/pitman arm etc. etc.
was wondering if it would be easier and more economical to get a complete tubular kit, or replace all the components separately, press out the bushings and all that.

i'm pretty sure that i will only be doing a static drop at this point...

kind regards

[DREAMER1]

Personally I would go with aftermarket control arms. I'd shop around for a good deal, but even with a smoking deal you're still going to spend more than you would rebuilding your front end. It'll come out even cheaper if you did 100% of the work yourself. Even if its just a static drop, it just depends on you. Daily driver, weekend cruiser, etc
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[frog210]

I ordered a set of tubular control arms from porterbuilt
little pricey but hey they look awesome and help over stock arms
they should be arriving in 2-3 weeks

[Tyrfryer67]

I'm in the same boat with the front end all needing to be replaced. I see a lot of people happy with porterbuilt control arms like frog210 said as well as a few other companies. Prices will definitely be more but if you pick the right setup you can improve handling and aesthetics both under the hood and by the wheel being centred in the wheel opening (win/win/win) for only a little more than rebuilding the factory stuff. I am adding a rack and pinion so I figure its better to just do it all at once. I am considering the nolimit engineering crossmember, control arm, r&p set up.
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[74 stepside]

Tubular is the way to go if you want to spend the extra $. You will also need an aftermarket swaybar if you go with tubular arms. Since factory swabars dont work with them. For a economical way, driver, just get a frontend rebuild kit.

[G8DAN]

It seems that the porterbuilt ones are the fan favorites around here. Has anyone tried the CPP ones?

[zook]

Interested to hear the response about cpp.....parts, service?
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[lolife99]

CPP makes a nice product for a coil spring set up.
They are powdercoated black, and help with camber and caster issues on LOW trucks.
I don't like their air ride arms, because the design of the lower arms only allows for a 2500 series air bag.
2600 bags are too big to fit.

Personally,... I would go with Porterbuilt arms for coils.
Because they can also be used with air bags if you change your mind later.
Plus they sell a Forward Series arm that helps center the front wheels in the fender opening,... on low trucks running a stock front crossmember.

They can also be order in a narrowed version, 3/4 ton and 1 ton arms, widened version for 1-ton dually running single wheel hubs and 22" semi wheel, etc.

The possibilities are endless.
Plus they are made to order for you with the correct balljoints.

[naphtali5725]

Originally Posted by lolife99

CPP makes a nice product for a coil spring set up.
They are powdercoated black, and help with camber and caster issue on LOW trucks.
I don't like their air ride arms, because the design of the lower arms only allows for a 2500 series air bag.
2600 bags are too big to fit.

Personally,... I woould go with Porterbuilt bags for coils.
Because they can also be used with air bags if you change your mind later.
Plus they sell a Forward Series arm that helps center the front wheels in the fender opening,... on low trucks running a stock front crossmember.

They can also be order in a narrowed version, 3/4 ton and 1 ton arms, widened version for 1-ton dually running single wheel hubs and 22" semi wheel, etc.

The possibilities are endless.
Plus they are made to order for you with the correct balljoints.

Yeah, I'm doing a static drop, and going with coils...but...would tubular and coil over's be necessary if I'm just doing a 2.5" drop spindles in front...or will the stock arms/springs be ok?

[lolife99]

Porterbuilt makes a bag/coil style arm and a coilover specific arm.

For what you are doing a stock set of arms will be fine.
I just thought you WANTED tubular arms.
Hard to read in everything in these posts.
PB arms will work with stock coil springs or drop spings.
You just have to tell Nate what you are doing when you order them.

I would also price the parts to rebuild your stock a-arms.
Balljoints, new crosshafts, and bushings, can add up.
Plus labor to install these parts if you can't do it yourself.

[naphtali5725]

thanks for the info

tubular would be nice, but if they aren't necessary i'll keep the stock ones....but a rebuild kit for all the joints/rod ends/arm bushing etc. if i go with moog parts, man that's about 700.00+. and i'm sure i can't get tubular and all the parts for less than that. so i'm stuck with stock for now unless someone knows of a deal out there somewhere...