Just curious if anyone has had trouble getting an alignment inspec after installing van control arms on their trucks? I just got mine back from the shop, and they said they had a real hard go with it? Looking down from the top, the cam bolts don't seem to be in the same position when comparing the drivers side to the passenger side? I think they were comparable before. My dodge lean seems to be back on the front after the alignment too. I installed all new bushings, ball joints , and the van control arms, along with new shocks and coil springs. The shop said they working on it a very long time and they are super honest. Just curious to hear other people's experience with this install. Now to get the leaf springs sitting level.........dodge lean is strong on this truck. It's a 78. Thanks everyone

I did as well on my 85 with VCA. We ended up using the offset upper control arm bushings to try to get it in spec and I'm still not sure about it. It's in spec and it drives very well down the road. It tracks straight, tire wear is great, but in slow tight turning situations like backing out of driveway or pulling into parking places the front tires scoot and scuff along like they are fighting against one another. Just never really could get that out of it with the alignments.

no problems with my sons 84 .... drove normal and tire wear was great.....I'm wondering on ones experiencing problems if the holes mounting the struts might not be in the correct location..????

Rickster

I haven't drove mine much yet. The one wheel looks slightly towed out though, and just seems weird the adjusting cam bolts are so different side to side. When I drilled the holes for the strut rod, I placed the old lower control arm on top of the the van one, and had the ball joint holes lined right up and the mount bolt holes looked in line. I used half inch bolts in the other set of holes the line up pretty good to clamp them together, then used transfer punches to mark the strut rod bolt holes. One of my strut rods has a slight bend to it, but they still went together good with new bushing. So far I am not liking the way it drives at low speeds either. Installing a sway bar before I drive to mopar fest on Sunday, should be a good test.

Just a quick update, I still haven't bolted the sway bar on since it looks like I might have to move it forward on the frame, due to the new control arms. I had lowered the back just using Chevy shackles, but it still had a pretty bad rake, and the dodge lean. I had the back springs rearched to lower it more, and get rid of the lean. The truck drives better then ever now, and even seems better at low speeds. I am really happy with the way this project turned out. It's going to be even better with the front sway bar.

Thanks to everyone who has posted about lowering these trucks, using the search I was able to find so much info and tips.

I was under the impression that vans ran strut rods too...did they not,or did they just bolt to the arm in a different spot.