Boxed control arms? - Competition Diesel.Com

myusername · 05-28-2015, 07:31 PM

I need a set of control arms for my stock height 4wd build, and the 35% off advance auto parts with the retail-me-not app is swaying my decision to just go with stock moog parts.

My question is, how much does a set of tubular control arms really help? I don't really have the money to spend $500+ on a set with this thing nickel and diming me everywhere else, so were talking cheap aftermarket vs stock.

My next question is, has anybody tried to box in the stock style arms? Would it not be just as good as a cheap set of aftermarket? Is it even necessary?

I've seen kits sold for Grand Nationals where companies just sell a piece of steel pre-cut to weld onto the stock rear 4-link setup to box the control arms. Comparing apples to oranges, but... If it works there, it should work here, right? Discuss....

leftcoast12v · 05-29-2015, 09:43 PM

I paid $200 for upgraded control arms through BDS suspension. They are nice units. Although I do regret not going to a long arm.

CorneliusRox · 05-29-2015, 10:40 PM

I would recommend making your own. You can get some decent bushings from rough country, get turbo from anywhere, bolts from anywhere, and weld them up. I recommend making a weld fixture so you know that the bottoms are the same and the tops are the same. Then use the factory adjustment to get them aligned and you're set.

All in all you're probably out $80-100 before the alignment.

myusername · 06-18-2015, 07:43 PM

I'm planning on building a set after doing some research. I'll use a stock arm to make a jig. Should I go 1/4-1/2" longer on them for a stock height truck? Also, does anybody have dimensions on width and bolt size for the bushings? I can get them sometime this weekend when I get a chance to make it to the shop, but if anyone has the dimensions off hand so I can get bushings ordered tomorrow, that would be great. I think i'm going to give the metalcloak duroflex bushings a try

Thekid760 · 07-31-2015, 07:03 PM

I went the cheap route and just boxed mine in and swapped to Energy Poly bushings.

Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

meatball · 07-31-2015, 11:51 PM

Sky jacker makes a tubular set . They were cheap on Amazon from what I remember

Texas Cowboy · 08-20-2015, 10:01 AM

My stock arms are boxed. Easy to weld them up.

91diesel · 08-22-2015, 08:12 PM

What difference, if any, did anybody feel who just boxed the stock arms? Is it stronger arms or better ends that really make the difference? I got a nice setup from Titan Machine on here for a 3rd gen track bar and 1/2" + control arms. The truck feels very solid now. And the grease-able, rebuild-able joints should mean I won't have to do this again. I'm wondering if replacing the bushing with some sort of 'johnny joint' is what translates into better feel. Or does boxing just by itself reduce flexing too?

Texas Cowboy · 08-25-2015, 03:35 PM

Well they are harded to bend. I've bend a few stockers around the farm/ranch and in the woods.

madmikeismad · 08-25-2015, 03:59 PM

Thor bros makes good, cheap tubular. You can get fixed length, single adjustable, or both end adjustable. You just send them the measurements and bushing specs. I got mine for 100 bucks a set about 4 years ago, single adjustable.

http://thorbros.com/catalog/4-link-parts/4-link-bars

Thekid760 · 08-27-2015, 11:00 PM

x2 mine were bent from hitting a rock 4x4. I straighted it and welded em up.

No difference felt as I did whole from suspension at same time.

Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk

05-28-2015, 07:31 PM	#1
myusername Name: myusername Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Central Ohio Member`s Gallery Posts: 292	Boxed control arms? I need a set of control arms for my stock height 4wd build, and the 35% off advance auto parts with the retail-me-not app is swaying my decision to just go with stock moog parts. My question is, how much does a set of tubular control arms really help? I don't really have the money to spend $500+ on a set with this thing nickel and diming me everywhere else, so were talking cheap aftermarket vs stock. My next question is, has anybody tried to box in the stock style arms? Would it not be just as good as a cheap set of aftermarket? Is it even necessary? I've seen kits sold for Grand Nationals where companies just sell a piece of steel pre-cut to weld onto the stock rear 4-link setup to box the control arms. Comparing apples to oranges, but... If it works there, it should work here, right? Discuss....

05-29-2015, 09:43 PM	#2
leftcoast12v Name: leftcoast12v Title: Green Behind the Ears Status: Not Here Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Oakdale Ca Member`s Gallery Posts: 71	I paid $200 for upgraded control arms through BDS suspension. They are nice units. Although I do regret not going to a long arm. __________________ 1995 sclb 4x4 with a scotty 2 and primeloc 96 eclb 4x4 5 speed 12v ->6.7 cr with a 48re 97 eclb 4x4 auto w/s truck 06 cr DD

05-29-2015, 10:40 PM	#3
CorneliusRox Name: CorneliusRox Title: Seasoned Rookie Status: Not Here Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Detroit, MI Member`s Gallery Posts: 4,154	I would recommend making your own. You can get some decent bushings from rough country, get turbo from anywhere, bolts from anywhere, and weld them up. I recommend making a weld fixture so you know that the bottoms are the same and the tops are the same. Then use the factory adjustment to get them aligned and you're set. All in all you're probably out $80-100 before the alignment. __________________ Corey - BSME '21 Tesla Model 3 Perf '22 DMax AT4 2500

07-31-2015, 07:03 PM	#5
Thekid760 Name: Thekid760 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jun 2008 Member`s Gallery Posts: 475	I went the cheap route and just boxed mine in and swapped to Energy Poly bushings. Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk __________________ 95 3500 4x4 5spd 4.10

07-31-2015, 11:51 PM	#6
meatball Name: meatball Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: fairfield/vacaville ca Member`s Gallery Posts: 626	Sky jacker makes a tubular set . They were cheap on Amazon from what I remember __________________ -97 12v 63/68/12 over s480 , 215 maxxed by northeast,4k's ddp 024"s , ddp4 inj ,full billet suncoast, lowered 4''. -97 jetta tdi kerma tunes, dlc 764 nozzles, lowered on koni coilovers ....

06-18-2015, 07:43 PM	#4
myusername Name: myusername Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Central Ohio Member`s Gallery Posts: 292	I'm planning on building a set after doing some research. I'll use a stock arm to make a jig. Should I go 1/4-1/2" longer on them for a stock height truck? Also, does anybody have dimensions on width and bolt size for the bushings? I can get them sometime this weekend when I get a chance to make it to the shop, but if anyone has the dimensions off hand so I can get bushings ordered tomorrow, that would be great. I think i'm going to give the metalcloak duroflex bushings a try

08-20-2015, 10:01 AM	#7
Texas Cowboy Name: Texas Cowboy Title: Proudly Serving Status: Not Here Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Good ol' USA! Member`s Gallery Posts: 899	My stock arms are boxed. Easy to weld them up. __________________ 15' EcoDiesel Crew 4x4 Longhorn 96' 2500 C-Cab 4x4 auto 99' 2500 Q-Cab 4x4 manual

08-22-2015, 08:12 PM	#8
91diesel Name: 91diesel Title: Rookie Status: Not Here Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Mid TN Member`s Gallery Posts: 11	What difference, if any, did anybody feel who just boxed the stock arms? Is it stronger arms or better ends that really make the difference? I got a nice setup from Titan Machine on here for a 3rd gen track bar and 1/2" + control arms. The truck feels very solid now. And the grease-able, rebuild-able joints should mean I won't have to do this again. I'm wondering if replacing the bushing with some sort of 'johnny joint' is what translates into better feel. Or does boxing just by itself reduce flexing too? __________________ 98 12v CTD 4x4 QCSB, nv4500, Titan Machine 3G track bar and control arms, AFC mods, KDP, 91 8v TTD....toyota 4x4, 3.0L TD, long travel and locked.

08-25-2015, 03:35 PM	#9
Texas Cowboy Name: Texas Cowboy Title: Proudly Serving Status: Not Here Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Good ol' USA! Member`s Gallery Posts: 899	Well they are harded to bend. I've bend a few stockers around the farm/ranch and in the woods. __________________ 15' EcoDiesel Crew 4x4 Longhorn 96' 2500 C-Cab 4x4 auto 99' 2500 Q-Cab 4x4 manual

08-25-2015, 03:59 PM	#10
madmikeismad Name: madmikeismad Title: So mad Status: Not Here Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Newalla, OK Member`s Gallery Posts: 14,347	Thor bros makes good, cheap tubular. You can get fixed length, single adjustable, or both end adjustable. You just send them the measurements and bushing specs. I got mine for 100 bucks a set about 4 years ago, single adjustable. http://thorbros.com/catalog/4-link-parts/4-link-bars __________________ Mike Hill Last edited by madmikeismad; 08-25-2015 at 04:02 PM.

08-27-2015, 11:00 PM	#11
Thekid760 Name: Thekid760 Title: Too Much Time Status: Not Here Join Date: Jun 2008 Member`s Gallery Posts: 475	x2 mine were bent from hitting a rock 4x4. I straighted it and welded em up. No difference felt as I did whole from suspension at same time. Sent from my LG-H810 using Tapatalk __________________ 95 3500 4x4 5spd 4.10