Custom Control Arms - Dodge Diesel

Bradleysram · 11-17-2008, 07:43 PM

Im planning on building some custom control arms for my truck after i add a little more lift. Has anyone done this? I would like to know what material would work best for this. I know welded seam pipe is outa the question but thinking maybe 1 1/2" sch80 tubing. If not what would be better? Also any special welding procedures that should be followed. thanks Bradley

blackjet2500 · 11-17-2008, 08:06 PM

1 1/2"-2" .25 wall DOM with tubing inserts TIG welded in would be your best bet. For all out strength you could get solid stock and mill out and tap the ends for your rod ends, this would weigh a lot more and is way overkill though. Both of those ways would give you adjustabilty. Really just depends on what you're looking for.

Bradleysram · 11-17-2008, 09:25 PM

What do you mean by tubing inserts

Bradleysram · 11-17-2008, 09:28 PM

and i had a typo in my first statement, i meant to say i planed on using 2 1/2" sch 80 tubing

bnold · 11-17-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradleysram

What do you mean by tubing inserts

Like threaded bung inserts to weld on the ends of the tubing... for threaded heims and the like

blackjet2500 · 11-17-2008, 10:00 PM

^^^^Yep, you get them for the size of the tubing you decide to go with, slip them in the tube, weld them up, and your heims thread into them.

.25 wall DOM tubing is what most people use tubing wise, you can get it in chromoly also. Its what rock crawlers use for links, and it's whats under my jeep with 17" of lift and 46s and i've never had a problem out of it.

msurf · 11-17-2008, 11:05 PM

Where is the best place to get heims an bung inserts?

White97GTVert · 11-18-2008, 01:21 AM

Just order a set from topgun customz. Tell them how long you need them to be and they will make them for you.

If you didn't know about heims and tube inserts were I wouldn't recommend building your own arms. Don't take it the wrong way. Just saving you some time and probably money. Custom length arm set is not expensive.

Ram Daddy · 11-18-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by White97GTVert

Just order a set from topgun customz. Tell them how long you need them to be and they will make them for you.

If you didn't know about heims and tube inserts were I wouldn't recommend building your own arms. Don't take it the wrong way. Just saving you some time and probably money. Custom length arm set is not expensive.

I was thinking the same thing...your life and anyone else on the road with you depends on the quality of those parts for your truck to stay on the road.

cquestad · 11-18-2008, 11:21 AM

Why is erw pipe out of the question?

Turn down your TST tq to 2...lol.

Bradleysram · 11-18-2008, 05:37 PM

No i know what heims and the inserts are i just didnt understand the wording. And as for the welded pipe. Ive just seen the welded seam fail in many applications.

cquestad · 11-18-2008, 05:42 PM

Wow...news to me.

The location of the weld is thicker and stronger material.

The only downfall is it is slightly brittle due to the heat effected area.

Anyways...none of that will affect a compression strut's design.

Laterial compressive buckling governs...

Bradleysram · 11-18-2008, 06:15 PM

well i have never seen it used in this application so that is news to me also.

11-17-2008, 08:06 PM	#2
blackjet2500 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Albany, Ms Posts: 205 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	1 1/2"-2" .25 wall DOM with tubing inserts TIG welded in would be your best bet. For all out strength you could get solid stock and mill out and tap the ends for your rod ends, this would weigh a lot more and is way overkill though. Both of those ways would give you adjustabilty. Really just depends on what you're looking for. __________________ 2004.5 4x4 QC sport, leveling kit, 35 TOYO m/ts on XD monsters, 2.5% tint, interior trim, sportsmans camo covers, westin brush guard, deep toolbox, bed rails, b&w 5'er, Pioneer avic-n5, hifonics speakers, ISSPRO Performax Smarty-TNT/mp8, Silverline duals, Suncoast full billet comp unit, magtec deep trans pan, airdog 150, floor it pump, ring'd 07 head, hamilton springs, maxxspool 2.5, flux 3.8s, ARP studs, BD twins

11-17-2008, 11:05 PM	#7
msurf Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hawaii Posts: 70 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Where is the best place to get heims an bung inserts? __________________ 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Short Bed 4x4, Quadcab, 5.9L HO Cummins Diesel with 6 Speed HD Manual. Atlantic Blue Pearl Coat, SLT, 315's, SS nerf bars, aluminum fuel door, tow hooks, mud flaps, Sony Gigapanel, JVC sub, Extreme Floormats, Aluma-hitch.

11-18-2008, 01:21 AM	#8
White97GTVert Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Enumclaw, WA Posts: 772 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Just order a set from topgun customz. Tell them how long you need them to be and they will make them for you. If you didn't know about heims and tube inserts were I wouldn't recommend building your own arms. Don't take it the wrong way. Just saving you some time and probably money. Custom length arm set is not expensive. __________________ '05 2500 QC 4x4 - Cummins Power Baby! - Smarty b4.2 - AFE Intake - 5" Turbo back Exhaust - HTS Full Billet 48re - PPE Dual Fueler - A little pressure from the EZ - Airdog 150 - HTT 64/71/13ss - F1 Springs - Flux 3's --- I need more Turbo.. -- BD Exhaust Brake + Towloc - '05 2500 QC 4x4 - Smarty TNT - AFE Intake - 4" Turbo back - HTS Full Billet trans - Floor It stage 3 pump, Flux 2's - F1 Springs - ARP Studs - RP 150 + GDP 2mk Filters - Small twins 62/3b - BD Exhaust Brake + Towloc - Tow rig

11-18-2008, 11:21 AM	#10
cquestad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 5,540 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Why is erw pipe out of the question? Turn down your TST tq to 2...lol. __________________ 04 HO: Custom Audio, 4.5" up w/ 2.5 Kings, Thuren Springs, 37" XAT on XD Hoss, Custom headache rack/steps/bumpers, bedliner, flares, SS aux tank, Brite Box, B&W Hitch, Trailer Brake, Turbo Timer, Diprocal's, HTT IC, Opie Bypass. Ultimate Trans w/ Opie Fat Shafts & ATS Commander MPI Twins, Flux's, F1 Springs, Helix 2, Evil Twins, Opie's Gusher LP, GDP 2 mic & Intake, ARP 625's w/ Orings, Smarty, TST, MP-8... DTR "Twins" Club Member #3

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11-17-2008, 09:25 PM	#3
Bradleysram Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	What do you mean by tubing inserts

11-17-2008, 09:28 PM	#4
Bradleysram Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	and i had a typo in my first statement, i meant to say i planed on using 2 1/2" sch 80 tubing

11-17-2008, 10:00 PM	#6
blackjet2500 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Albany, Ms Posts: 205 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	^^^^Yep, you get them for the size of the tubing you decide to go with, slip them in the tube, weld them up, and your heims thread into them. .25 wall DOM tubing is what most people use tubing wise, you can get it in chromoly also. Its what rock crawlers use for links, and it's whats under my jeep with 17" of lift and 46s and i've never had a problem out of it.

11-18-2008, 05:37 PM	#11
Bradleysram Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	No i know what heims and the inserts are i just didnt understand the wording. And as for the welded pipe. Ive just seen the welded seam fail in many applications.

11-18-2008, 05:42 PM	#12
cquestad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 5,540 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	Wow...news to me. The location of the weld is thicker and stronger material. The only downfall is it is slightly brittle due to the heat effected area. Anyways...none of that will affect a compression strut's design. Laterial compressive buckling governs...

11-18-2008, 06:15 PM	#13
Bradleysram Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 266 My Photo Gallery My Classified Ads	well i have never seen it used in this application so that is news to me also.