2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Adjustable control arm question

[SRath]

I have a set of adjustable control arms (upper and lower) that I am going to put on my '96. They came with no instructions and I do not know who manufactured them. They were an ebay purchase. Aside from being coarse-thread (I think fine thread would be better), they seem quite stout and well-made.



I would like to know which direction to install them: Short, male end with jam nut towards the axle or towards the frame?



Removing the old ones does not look like it will be easy judging from the corrosion I see...



Any other tips and advice would also be welcomed before I tear into this.

 

[Alphacowboy]

post up a picture and i am sure one of us could figure out who made them. I have always seen the adjustable end toward the axle, top and bottom. Get out the sawzall, your most likely going to need it for the lower two adjustment bolts, so you might want to get a set of those from the dealer before you dig in just in case.

 

[SRath]

I'll do the photos tomorrow alpha. Thanks.



Oh, and at least one lower arm bolt is flat on one side of the threads... You KNOW that one won't be going back in... I'm not counting on reusing any of them.



This frontend is going to cost me more than the bluebook value of the truck! As I lay under the dodge, I couldn't help but look longingly at my old K30's front suspension as they were sitting side by side...



How could dodge engineers have screwed up something so tried and true and reliable and simple as leaf springs and a real Dana 60 SO badly?!!



If i could lay my hands on a Ford D60 complete with springs and hangers, I would GO FOR IT and solve the dodge problem once and for all!



I actually think the extra Chevy D60 I have would work. I am already planning and have the parts for a conversion to a NV5600 and NP205 (ford).



I could just as easily mate a Chevy NP205 to the NV5600 and go passenger side drop... I think the driveshaft would actually clear my DiamondEye exhaust.



What a truck it would be then! 12 valve, NV5600, NP205, D80 with a Powertrax locker and a D60 with a Powerlok limited slip, leafsprings, kingpins, real wheel bearings, and lockouts... Dream big!

 

[rotohead]

For the upper passenger side you'll have to drop the exhaust down pipe to get the bolt out. For now I just replaced the lower arms until I have a reason to pull the down pipe. Truck has always been in the west and garaged... not much corrosion. I marked the ecentrics but I don't think that's necessary if you do one arm at a time. Not that hard a replacement. Good luck.