72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering?

Posted By: Kern Dog

72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 06:56 AM

A buddy asked me about the trick to get a cheap 2" lowering using stock parts. I seem to remember something I read here about using lower control arms from certain year vans...something about them having deeper coil spring pockets? Can anyone help elaborate a bit?
Thanks, Greg

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 07:51 AM

As far as I know 78-98 at least

I've used them from an 80 to a 96 I know.
According to the online catalogs 78-98 are interchangeable
Height depends on how weak his springs are.

This is how high my RC sits in the front with just van LCA's & 225/60/15

Attached picture 7577355-SAM_3409.JPG

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 07:56 AM

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 07:59 AM

I build a adjustable travel limiter to hold the springs in place & keeps the shocks from being the stop.
It goes where the rubber bumper goes
The shock mount gets lower too & if you use a shock for a 4000# front end you will only need the stop to keep the spring in place

Attached picture 7577358-SAM_3412.JPG

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 08:06 AM

I chained mine when I cut the coil.
Pic of truck control arm. Coils sits on top

Attached picture 7577359-stockcutcoil.jpg

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 08:10 AM

Just got this pic from the net. Van cotrol arm. As you can see spring sits down in a pocket.

Attached picture 7577362-vancontrolarm.jpg

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 08:54 AM

This is it with the van steering stop removed & before my sawzall got a hold of the bump stop bracket

Attached picture 7577367-SAM_3405.JPG

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/06/13 11:51 AM

You do need to drill new strut rod holes in the van LCAs because they mount in a different place. Somebody needs to make a template for redrilling the holes.. I have a real nice pair Im not going to use if interested..

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/07/13 06:26 AM

I have a template that I made a few years back Hidden in a tote in my basement somewhere.
I had too much help packing my shop stuff when we moved
I have a template made for flipping the front hanger or simply moving it up in 1" increments too

When I find it I'll make some for those who want one.

Posted By: bigblock340power

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/07/13 02:57 PM

Greg, just park in a pot hole! Ok, I've helped enough.......

NO, no need to thank me. My work is done here.

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/08/13 12:57 AM

This question was for Randy from the CCM club, Mike.
Your humor is appreciated though!

Posted By: rickstershemi

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/08/13 01:15 AM

I just made a template from the stock LCA using the ball joint as a location point and then transferred it to the Van LCA....worked like a charm

Picture of the Van LCA with located holes

Hope this helps

Also....we never had to limit the suspension travel....even with the stock /6 coils....but I did trim the bump stops down quite a bit....has never bottomed out

Rickster

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/08/13 05:59 AM

Thanks everyone! I'll pass the words along.

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/08/13 07:01 AM

Quote:

I just made a template from the stock LCA using the ball joint as a location point and then transferred it to the Van LCA....worked like a charm

Picture of the Van LCA with located holes

Hope this helps

Also....we never had to limit the suspension travel....even with the stock /6 coils....but I did trim the bump stops down quite a bit....has never bottomed out

Rickster

Where do I send my stamped, self addressed envelope to get a copy ??

Posted By: 76440

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/08/13 07:20 AM

Camper 9000 trucks also ran a pocketed lower control arm with bigger ball joint.

Posted By: bigblock340power

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/08/13 10:11 AM

Quote:

This question was for Randy from the CCM club, Mike.
Your humor is appreciated though!

And why would I be holdig back taking pot shots at him too? We're all fair game here!

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/08/13 04:39 PM

Quote:

Camper 9000 trucks also ran a pocketed lower control arm with bigger ball joint.

So did all True 1ton trucks with the 4400lb front axles. I say True 1ton because when a D350 has a 3300lb front axle rating its a halfton pretending to be a big boy

Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/09/13 01:08 AM

Quote:

Camper 9000 trucks also ran a pocketed lower control arm with bigger ball joint.

I actually have a Camper 9000 that I'll be turning into a trailer. It is a 2 wd, but I'm curious...The big ball joint...Does it require swapping more stuff in to work?

Attached picture 7580688-DSCN0735.JPG

Posted By: BulletBob

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/09/13 01:21 AM

You have to use the 1 ton steering arm & drill the holes in the spindle from 5/8" to 3/4"

Posted By: rickstershemi

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/09/13 02:08 AM

Quote:

Where do I send my stamped, self addressed envelope to get a copy ??

long gone....very easy to duplicate

Rickster

Posted By: Kevin I

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/09/13 06:23 AM

Here is a write up I did for the van arm swap.
https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rt=all&vc=1

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: 72-92 D-100: VAN control arms for lowering? - 02/09/13 02:24 PM

Quote:

You have to use the 1 ton steering arm & drill the holes in the spindle from 5/8" to 3/4"

I am thinking I can use a 7* ream to fit the large ball joint into the 1/2 ton steering arm.

maybe.. I cant get my hands on the LBJ steering arms to swap my 1 ton truck LCA on yet.

but saw a few tierod ends fliped and done this way.

if i had only went with van LCAs over the 1 tons I bought and drilled them i could have it done by now..