Boxing Upper Control Arms

[Deleted member 87397]

Has anyone ever done this with good results? I just got almost everything I need to completely re-do my rear suspension, including new FRPP uppers. I plan on putting down some serious power with this car and I was thinking about boxing the uppers for some extra strength. Has anyone ever done and if so how much did it cost and what type/thickness metal did you use for the project. I'll list my complete setup below.

FRPP upper control arms
Maximum Motorsports XD Adjustable lower control arms
Strange Engineering 10 Way adjustable shocks
Upper and Lower torque box reinforcements
Maximum Motorsports XL full length subframe connectors
Springs are undetermined as yet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Roland69]

it will make them stronger I guess...I have seen it done but have never done it

 

[JamesB88]

I would just go wtih a good set of upper since your already doing it all. Also dont forget good Rear end housing bushings. I just put some cheapo Prothanes in my car to replace the stockers and noticed a big differance. Those UPR solid ones look good but are very pricey.

 

[rd]

I boxed the stock 80 upper and lower arms for my 82. Used some 1/8 in flat plate and my trusty 80 amp flux core.

Probably did not cost $10.

Seems to work. I still have the 1980 rubber bushings in there, but with my old Lakewood traction bars, she will pull high 1.80 sixty foots!

I have worn out two sets of poly bushings in the 79. For a street car I much prefer rubber. I may change the 82 to poly at some point, but it works as is, so I am leaving it alone.

 

[Deleted member 87397]

I want to go with rubber on the uppers because it seems they bind less and cause less axle windup than with poly bushings so I figure a nice set of new FRPP boxed uppers would do well. If I need to upgrade later on I can.

 

[Mikey1968]

I have an old set of 86 uppers I've been thinking of boxing and putting on my stock 89 GT. I was thinking of changing out one end for poly.....maybe not...

So it looks like a simple boxing and re-installing with the stock rubber may be the ticket....?

 

[Deleted member 87397]

That's what I'm doing. Boxing the uppers and putting in new rubber bushings on both ends. I'll see how it works out with the rest of the setup.

 

[EMW150]

I want to go with rubber on the uppers because it seems they bind less and cause less axle windup than with poly bushings so I figure a nice set of new FRPP boxed uppers would do well. If I need to upgrade later on I can.

Here's another option for you guys. They work great curing binding and you don't get the flex of rubber. They are a little pricy though in comparison. You would run a good poly bushing on the torque box side.

http://www.uprproducts.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=117

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

That will work and save some cash. You can also buy Prothane or Energy suspension poly bushings to replave the stockers. They come in round and oval.

 

[Deleted member 87397]

All I've ever heard about poly though on the uppers is that they are harder on the torque boxes and they can actually cause more bind than going with rubber replacements. Don't know much about spherical ones except that they are a bit rougher ride which is no big deal anyway. Maybe it's time for some more investigation.

 

[Kingcater]

The best rear end setup to go to would be deleting the uppers, boxed lowers with a panhard bard bar and a torque are. If you look on Maximum Motorsports all of their suspension kits don't include uppers because they bind and are a bad design no matter what you try to do.

Their kits modify your rear to a three link like the 05+ stang and ls1 camaro's have. I've driven in stangs with a three link setup and the upgraded four link and the three link hooked up way better.

Just thought I'd share that, also if you're going to box your uppers I would get battle boxes or reinforce your torque boxes while you're at it

 

[Kingcater]

I have heard if you go spherical to definately do torque box reinforcements

 

[EMW150]

I have heard if you go spherical to definately do torque box reinforcements

Definately. Torque boxes should be first before you do anything deviating from stock. It's alot easier to reinforce them then have to try to tweak them back into position to repair. The sphericals won't flex which naturally makes them harder on the torque boxes but they will stop the binding problems.

 

[Deleted member 87397]

I have the torque box reinforcements and I just need to put them in when I start re-doing everything else. Thanks for the info Kingcater