Hey guys I'm new here and I'm in need of some help/advice. I have a 1983 dodge D150 that I did a lower control arm swap on using B series van lower control arms. I just finished everything yesterday and put it on the ground when I took it around the block I could hear and feel something rubbing and binding so I got out and looked while my dad turned the wheel and I noticed right away that the adjusting sleeve for the tie rod ends is rubbing on the centerlink when you turn towards the left the passenger side looks like it has enough clearance. If my steering knuckle were lower it wouldn't be a problem or if I could put the outter tie rod end thru the bottom of the steering knuckle rather than the top it looks like that would solve the problem but that just doesn't seem like it would be a good idea and it probably wouldn't opporate properly. but from the information I gathered on the web the only parts needed when swapping van lower control arms on to your truck is 3/4 bolts/nuts for the pivot bracket and the control arms themselves. If anyone has any advice or info on the matter it would be greatly appreciated. I can post pics if need be

Welcome aboard.

And you might have a little better luck asking in the truck forum perhaps as well.

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/20/1/moparts-truck-jeep-4x4-forum.html

I've heard of this swap but never looked into it myself.

That said, what about swapping in the van steering arms? Iirc their tie rods do go in from underneath, or they may be a different shape.

Glad to be here! I'm new to the whole forum thing so I apologize for posting on the wrong board lol

Not really the wrong board, but more likely to get a valid answer in the truck section is all.

Welcome to Moparts.

I saved this a few years ago because I figured I might do it one day, it might help you out:

Lowering a Ram

Hey man thanks for the help!

You bet, anytime.

I thought this was the truck forumn. Is there another I'm not familiar with??

It was moved here.

Before I started this little project I looked into that thinking I would need to use the van steering arms but from everything I read it said you didn't need them but now I'm starting to think it might be my only option. I do appreciate you trying to help me out man you're one of very few who has.

Hey, again thanks: I'll keep going until I hit a wall here......

My first thought is that the D250 truck arms may have been a better way to go, but, please put up a picture or two.

I know nothing about the vans, but the upright steering column and how the steering box and steering linkage is has to be different than the trucks.


I'll wait for your pictures then I'll re-read the old link and try to help some more.

Some clarification on the ball joint issue: there are indeed 2 different lower ball joints for trucks and vans. The difference isn't related to which type of vehicle but rather which front suspension package it has.
There is a light duty front end and a heavy duty front end. The light duty is found on all halfton and most 34 ton vehicles. The heavy duty is found on most 1 ton and some 3/4 ton. Point Bering,bwhat the badges say is basically irrelevant, even the gvw stickers are iffy. You need to look at the parts.

The quick visual I'd is the tie rods. A long sleeve with 2 short ends is LD. A long inner tie rod with a short sleeve and short outter tie rod ius HD.

Note, pretty sure the truck arms are all flat and van arms have the pocket. Again different arms depending on axle package.