I am shopping for upper control arms for my daily driver 1968 mustang. I'm trying to decide between Total Control Products or Global West (although I am interested to hear arguments in favor of others).
To cut to the chase I think my main question is what would be better for a daily driver: the GW's del-a-lum bushings or TCP's rod-ends ?
My desires:
* dependable/safe & good performance.
* not noisy -- i.e. no creaking or clunking.
* serviceable - preferably with non-proprietary parts.
* low maintenance requirements. i.e. last for many years before I have to replace parts.
* full 1.5" drop in control arm mounting point.
I think I've ruled out the "roller track" open tracker control arms because they are actually the most expensive ($675) and they are fixed at stock length. GW are slightly shorter than stock and the TCPs can be adjusted. Note I do plan to use some of the other open tracker stuff, like their strut rods and roller perch. I am not worried about being "vintage racing legal".
GW leads you to believe that shortening the arm helps with the camber gain and also better keeps wide tires from rubbing. I'm interested in feedback on that subject.
So between the TCP and GW I would say my main issue is what is better for a daily driver, the rod-ends on the TCP arms or the Del-a-lum bushings? I want something that will be reliable and quiet and last a while. My hunch is the GW bushings might last longer, but when it is time to replace I'll have to go back to GW for a new set of these proprietary bushings. I'll probably end up with rod-ends anyway on the strut rods...
TCP: $660.
http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/upper.html
pros:
* rod-ends should be easy to source/replace when needed.
* adjustable length - something else I can play around with if desired.
* possible upgrade to coil-over (not likely though) in future.
cons:
* cost
* rod-ends ?? -- how long do they last on a daily driver ?
* minor: requires the ball-joints with the grease zert on the bottom, instead of on side like original. these seem to be easy to find though (the last ball joint I bought at autozone was this style).
GW: $590 (dallas mustang)
http://www.globalwest.net/mustang_1964 -73 catalog.htm#Tubular upper control arms
pros:
* cost (relative to TCP anyway)
not sure pro or con:
* del-a-lum bushings better match for daily driver ? or not ?
cons:
* proprietary del-a-lum bushing means that when they wear out GW will be the only source.
To cut to the chase I think my main question is what would be better for a daily driver: the GW's del-a-lum bushings or TCP's rod-ends ?
My desires:
* dependable/safe & good performance.
* not noisy -- i.e. no creaking or clunking.
* serviceable - preferably with non-proprietary parts.
* low maintenance requirements. i.e. last for many years before I have to replace parts.
* full 1.5" drop in control arm mounting point.
I think I've ruled out the "roller track" open tracker control arms because they are actually the most expensive ($675) and they are fixed at stock length. GW are slightly shorter than stock and the TCPs can be adjusted. Note I do plan to use some of the other open tracker stuff, like their strut rods and roller perch. I am not worried about being "vintage racing legal".
GW leads you to believe that shortening the arm helps with the camber gain and also better keeps wide tires from rubbing. I'm interested in feedback on that subject.
So between the TCP and GW I would say my main issue is what is better for a daily driver, the rod-ends on the TCP arms or the Del-a-lum bushings? I want something that will be reliable and quiet and last a while. My hunch is the GW bushings might last longer, but when it is time to replace I'll have to go back to GW for a new set of these proprietary bushings. I'll probably end up with rod-ends anyway on the strut rods...
TCP: $660.
http://www.totalcontrolproducts.com/upper.html
pros:
* rod-ends should be easy to source/replace when needed.
* adjustable length - something else I can play around with if desired.
* possible upgrade to coil-over (not likely though) in future.
cons:
* cost
* rod-ends ?? -- how long do they last on a daily driver ?
* minor: requires the ball-joints with the grease zert on the bottom, instead of on side like original. these seem to be easy to find though (the last ball joint I bought at autozone was this style).
GW: $590 (dallas mustang)
http://www.globalwest.net/mustang_1964 -73 catalog.htm#Tubular upper control arms
pros:
* cost (relative to TCP anyway)
not sure pro or con:
* del-a-lum bushings better match for daily driver ? or not ?
cons:
* proprietary del-a-lum bushing means that when they wear out GW will be the only source.