Boxed Upper Control Arms

[Mavrick]

I've seen these for sale.. stock control arms that have been boxed in. How does this help improve the stock control arms and does it work?

When i swap my diff, im putting in new springs and my buddy could weld up my control arms.. is it worth it?

Thanks.

 

[v8only]

imo, it's a very cheap backyard fix to lousy control arms. Picture the uppers, they are u shaped. Welding the plate on top keeps them from flexing. However, this doesn't address the fact that they are still using old bushings. IMO it's not worth it. Get a good frpp or 93 cobra upper set and be done with it. they only cost $50 or so.

 

[Mavrick]

I'm swapping diffs.. with new bushings.. and welding them is FREE as apposed to $150 control arms, or $250 (im in canada eh, everything is more expensive).

I was just wondering how well i would benefit from welding the uppers.

 

[90mustangGT]

The stock controll arms are just stamped steel. The steel is thick enough, but the shape is very weak. Like said before, turning the U into a D so to speak greatly strengthens them. The bushings are crap though. If you can get them welded free, or real cheap, go for it. Do the lower's too and then get the poly rear bushing set for under $40. This will make a huge difference because the stock bushings you can twist the whole arm by hand. It may not be as good as aftermarket, but for the budget minded and/or just street mustang it won't make much difference.

 

[Mavrick]

Hmm, welding the lowers would mean that i would lose my sway bar?

 

[TIMMY2734]

Weld them up. The price sounds great and its a win win situation. The worst that wil possibly happen is they feel the same...as stock. But no money lost, no harm done.

For anyone who knows Kevin Slaby of baseline suspensions, he cut consistent 1.6 60s with stock boxed arms ....

 

[TrophyHead]

I think Hallon4wheels did this.

I'm subscribing.

 

[TIMMY2734]

You could probably weld a nut the the control arm or figure something out to make it work.

 

[89MustangGX]

Get a good frpp or 93 cobra upper set and be done with it. they only cost $50 or so.

It's important to note, those arms (I didn't know they were on the 93 Cobras) are just stock arms with stiffer bushings. They would still be u-shaped and not boxed.

 

[90mustangGT]

It's important to note, those arms (I didn't know they were on the 93 Cobras) are just stock arms with stiffer bushings. They would still be u-shaped and not boxed.

Good point.

The swaybar could still be mounted as long as you didn't box it too far to get the bar and a wrench in there.