Author Topic: LOWER CONTROL ARMS  (Read 1011 times)

Offline retmajwjs

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LOWER CONTROL ARMS
« on: February 07, 2023, 04:03:21 PM »
I'm new to the forum. I have a 1978 Chevy C10 shortbed, 350. I'm replacing the upper control arms, tie rods, pitman and idler arm. After removing everything I started looking at the lower control arms. They are in fairly good shape. But I was thinking while its apart I might replace the lowers. I can't find new replacements except for "tubular" which are very expensive. So my question is are the C20 lower control arms interchangeable with the C10. I'm sure they would heavier but I would think the dimensions would be the same.

Online Swampyankee74

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Re: LOWER CONTROL ARMS
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2023, 04:55:03 AM »
I just went through a similar thing on my 74 c1500. From what I could tell the lower c10 control arms are different from the c20 and c30. They look similar but have different ball joints and bushings.  I ended up just rebuilding mine with new bushings and ball joints.

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: LOWER CONTROL ARMS
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2023, 06:23:58 PM »
Sandblast, powder coat and rebuild them.
,                           ___ 
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: LOWER CONTROL ARMS
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2023, 07:25:59 PM »
Big Nick spoke the unspeakable... :(
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Shifty

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Re: LOWER CONTROL ARMS
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2023, 09:27:10 AM »
Keep in mind that almost all of the bolt-on control arms that are available nowadays are made in china.  Some of the "CK" part number prefix ones in Moog are still USA-made, but that's changing too.   :(
87 V20 Standard Cab Longbed (current)

87 R30 3+3 Longbed (days of yore)

98 C2500 ext cab longbed

Offline Chevygold

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Re: LOWER CONTROL ARMS
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2023, 04:56:41 PM »
When I did my front end the arms were solid so grit blasted them and painted with POR15 primer and chassis black then refitted with new bushes, ball joints were still good so wrapped lots of duct tape round them during the grit blasting then fitted new rubber boots before putting it all back together.
Graham