Hello, guys well it's front end rebuild time. I was needing to know the best place to buy upper and lower a-frames. Also, what would be the best place to buy ball joints. Thanks for any info. Doug

 

I'm guessing you have a 2wd. Fill in your signature so we know what you have. Why are you looking for control arms?

 

Yes I have a 2 wd I am hunting control arms because where the ball joints go the have gotten loose to we're one of the top is tack welded in also one of the bottoms are the same way it's not safe and not good need major front end repair wich is not a problem to do was just wondering best place to get parts thank you for your time

 

Places like Rockauto and Napa have most common-wear items like ball joints, bushings, and bumpers. I just checked WeRMopar.com and it looked like they might have upper control arms. Make sure parts you get are for the 4000lb front end in our trucks. These are not as common. You might also try classified ads like the one here on this site for trucks being parted out.

 

Tack welding the ball joints in is a good idea. Both of mine poped out on top.

 

It's my understanding that all the "D" series trucks, gas or diesel, utilize the same upper control arms. It's the coil spring and, maybe, lower control arms that differentiate between gas and diesel trucks.

Call your local dealer for the control arms. That's where I found some. In fact, that was the only place I found any. I got a pair for my '90 for about $300. No choice, of course but I didn't mind. Used the VIN as the dealer requires. Ensures you get parts for the right vehicle.

As mentioned above, auto parts stores and some online retailers have the serviceable parts such as ball-joints, bushings, etc., on-hand and readily available. Moogs are the way to go for our old trucks. I rebuilt the entire front-end, including steering linkages, on my '90 2.5 years ago with all Moog parts. Keeping everything lubed as part of a regular maintenance schedule and still doing just fine.

Take a look at the thread I posted while doing mine. Maybe it will answer some questions for you. If you have any more, feel free to ask.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...s-t260879.html

 

I respectfully disagree. The online catalogs that I have searched indicate that 4000lb upper control arms are different. From what I have seen searching for parts, upper and lower control arms, all bushings, all ball joints, shocks, springs, spindles, and sway bars are different.

Also, wsd4less.com (on ebay) appears to have both upper and lower control arms.

 

With a new upper control arm, you shouldn't need to weld them. When they get rusty and you fight an old ball joint out, the new one can be loose, and might strip if not welded.

If you don't weld it and it strips, you'll be able to drive it home, then screw it back in and weld it. The boot will be destroyed, but that's all.

If you have a pro weld it using "short arc" technology, 3 or 4 1/2 inch beads, it'll be permanent, and the welding won't melt the grease out of it or hurt the rubber.

Experience has been my teacher.

 

Thank you for clarifying the information. I wasn't buying the information that I had been given. I was sure to order control arms for the 4,000lbs axle as well as all the other parts in the front-end.

 

The upper control arms are the same...3300, or 4000 lb front ends. The diesels originally ran the exact same arm, but when cracking started to appear at the bushings they added a small additional metal gusset to stiffen things up. All upper control arms now come with this added bracing....at least every one I've seen.

As for upper and lower BJ's....yes the 4000lb ones are different...but only in the size of the tapered shaft that runs down into the spindle. The body that screws into the upper control arm is the same size as the 3300lb units.

 

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