making fixed control arms adjustable?

[Blackjackbender]

Well im planning on running some re4.5" springs to help clear my 37"s better. my fixed control arms are 16.5"s long and I want some adjustment out of them so i was thinking of cutting my control arms up and making them adjustable. Think it would be better to run threaded rod, 2 jam nuts and 2 tube inserts and two bushings at each end or just hack one end up and put a tube insert in it and a Johnny Joint? I know most people are gonna say go long arms and I do plan on going Long arms come summer. I have the cash but its going to go towards regearing and a trip to montreal before i install long arms. so stupid idea or not?


thanks for the help,


Ty

outcome would make them look much like these since i will be hacking up procomp arms.

[99grandtj]

Saw this the other day and thought this would work good

http://www.mad4wd.com/tek9.asp?pg=pr...ific=jmpndnomk

[Rocky]

Hack the axle end off, weld in a threaded tube insert, and get some Johnny joints with the 1" threaded end. That way when you do your long arms you can reuse the Johnny Joints.

IIRC my lowers are 16.5" and I run the 4.5" RE coils with no problems.

[lgottler]

Originally Posted by Rocky

Hack the axle end off, weld in a threaded tube insert, and get some Johnny joints with the 1" threaded end.

I concurr captain.

[Blackjackbender]

Originally Posted by Rocky

Hack the axle end off, weld in a threaded tube insert, and get some Johnny joints with the 1" threaded end. That way when you do your long arms you can reuse the Johnny Joints.

IIRC my lowers are 16.5" and I run the 4.5" RE coils with no problems.

thats exactly what i was thinking of doing since i can reuse the johnny joints in the future. i think theres a tube inerst that will work but i think im just gonna buy some stock and make them myself so i know they will be perfect and I will have a tap for future projects. Im actually getting re4.5" coils and am going to install those first before I mess with my control arms.


thanks for the help

[Grandman]

by threaded rod you dont mean the grade 2 shit at the hard ware do you ?

You will need a better rod then that or it will not hold . Other then that your idea should be fine .

My Grand has the orginal control arms . There just stretched to fit and have never been a problem .

[Blackjackbender]

Originally Posted by Grandman

by threaded rod you dont mean the grade 2 shit at the hard ware do you ?

You will need a better rod then that or it will not hold . Other then that your idea should be fine .

My Grand has the orginal control arms . There just stretched to fit and have never been a problem .

I would get a grade 8 fine thread rod and do it. gonna look for it around here locally but may have to get it off line. Also gotta see if i have a day off work i can go in and make those tubing inserts.

mind posting pictures up?

[Haggar]

Originally Posted by Blackjackbender

I would get a grade 8 fine thread rod and do it. gonna look for it around here locally but may have to get it off line. Also gotta see if i have a day off work i can go in and make those tubing inserts.

mind posting pictures up?

Just buy grade 8 fine thread bolts and cut them to length.

[Blackjackbender]

Originally Posted by Haggar

Just buy grade 8 fine thread bolts and cut them to length.

thought of that.

would the heat from cutting them mess up the stregth? also i think i may have a hell of time finding one that has enoug usable thread length at my local hardware. may have to have them special order me something.

[Kawierider]

Originally Posted by Blackjackbender

thought of that.

would the heat from cutting them mess up the stregth? also i think i may have a hell of time finding one that has enoug usable thread length at my local hardware. may have to have them special order me something.

Yes, it will affect the strength but your going to be getting them hot when you weld them anyway. Be sure to let them cool slowly (not quenched in water) and you should be ok.

[Haggar]

Originally Posted by Blackjackbender

thought of that.

would the heat from cutting them mess up the stregth? also i think i may have a hell of time finding one that has enoug usable thread length at my local hardware. may have to have them special order me something.

It seems to hold up OK, in practice. You should find a real fastener shop, as your hardware shop will charge a lot, whether its bolts or threaded rod.

I know my local place (Quality Fastener in Oxford) is open saturdays, and stocks any size grade 8 I've even needed up to 1". Most hardware stores around me don't have a good selection in sizes like 9/16" fine thread and 3/4" fine thread, which I use on my truck.

[Blackjackbender]

Originally Posted by Haggar

It seems to hold up OK, in practice. You should find a real fastener shop, as your hardware shop will charge a lot, whether its bolts or threaded rod.

I know my local place (Quality Fastener in Oxford) is open saturdays, and stocks any size grade 8 I've even needed up to 1". Most hardware stores around me don't have a good selection in sizes like 9/16" fine thread and 3/4" fine thread, which I use on my truck.

I have a really good hardware store by me that stocks tons of grade stuff. I know they have atleast 9/16" fine thread but im thinking they have more also I just have to actually look while im there. if not theres a fastenall down the street so i think im covered.

im thinking itll be cheaper just to use threaded rod and make my own inserts. its nice have a full blown machine shop and then some to your disposle.


thanks for the help,

Ty

[Haggar]

Originally Posted by Blackjackbender

im thinking itll be cheaper just to use threaded rod and make my own inserts. its nice have a full blown machine shop and then some to your disposle.


thanks for the help,

Ty

If you are cutting threads in stock for the inserts, you could also make your own threaded rod from steel of your choice.

I have the quick change gears on my south bend, although I'm thinking just to get some big coupling nuts, and turn them down to make inserts. I think you could get two out of one nut, depending on the size..