Control Arms C10 vs C20?

[MidLifer]

OK, the last mechanical area I need to come up to speed in on my 1971 C10 is steering. PO at some point changed out the rear axle to a 14-bolt/8 lug and did the same with the front hubs. It now sits on 8-lug, 16" rims. I want to rebuild the steering and wanted to buy "loaded" control arms instead of pressing new ball joints and bushings into the old ones.

First of all, is there a difference in control arms between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks? Best I can tell, the parts the PO used came from a mid-70s truck (based on some part # searches I did). Also, when I look up C20 control arms, there is "standard duty" and "heavy duty" listed. How to tell which I have?

For that matter, was there a difference in other steering parts?

Lastly, I've read many posts that say that Moog is the best line of steering parts. Is there a board vendor who stocks/sells Moog? It seems hit or miss at NAPA and Rockauto. Hard to find everything (ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman/idler arms) from Moog.

[tinydb84]

The C10 C20 lower arms have different bushings and balljoints. The uppers have the same balljoint but different bushings.

Thats all I can comment on

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

The C10 C20 lower arms have different bushings and balljoints. The uppers have the same balljoint but different bushings.

Thats all I can comment on

I know the lower BJ's are different between the C10's & C20's from 67-72. I've never heard the bushings were different. The bushings are different from 73-87 on C10's vs. C20's.

[MidLifer]

Thanks guys. I've found Dorman control arms for the 73-87 C-20 (P/N 520179, 520180, 520113, 520114). If I'm buying the complete upper and lower assemblies (arm, ball joint, spindle) and knowing that my spindles are originally from a mid-70s C20, I'm assuming (I know what happens when you assume...) that the arms would work for the application.

Disagree?

If I get back under the truck, assuming that the arms on there are OEM, would part numbers be stamped in anywhere?

[SCOTI]

I've never seen any p/n's but have never REALLY looked.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I know the lower BJ's are different between the C10's & C20's from 67-72. I've never heard the bushings were different. The bushings are different from 73-87 on C10's vs. C20's.

Yeah the C10 are rubber the C20 are solid.

[Sammy]

I think the tie rod ends are different also??

[MidLifer]

Reviving this thread with what I hope is my last dumb question on this topic. For the purpose of ordering new parts, can I assume that since the PO put the 8-lug/disc brake setup on, that the spindles came from a C20, and thus that control arms/ball joints for a C20 would be the right ones to order? I want to buy new, "fully-loaded" control arms rather than pressing bushings and bj's into the old ones.

Thanks to those who are more wise and patient for putting up with these questions.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by MidLifer

Reviving this thread with what I hope is my last dumb question on this topic. For the purpose of ordering new parts, can I assume that since the PO put the 8-lug/disc brake setup on, that the spindles came from a C20, and thus that control arms/ball joints for a C20 would be the right ones to order? I want to buy new, "fully-loaded" control arms rather than pressing bushings and bj's into the old ones.

Thanks to those who are more wise and patient for putting up with these questions.

If it's 8-lug, it's more than likely a C20 spindle. Conversion kits for C20 to C10 require different spindles so the opposite would be true as well.

[Robznob11]

One other thing to note correct me if im wrong but. I used to work at napa. There cheap line suspension parts are master chassie, but there lifetime napa chassie parts are all moog, rebranded for napa. There life time parts are alot better than cheap ones because they are usa and tolerances are much tighter (quality control)
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[Robznob11]

Ok so i stand corrected! A quick call to my buddy at napa revieled that napa branded (lifetime) parts are made by dana. They are supposidly the cream of the crop. He said they have cutaway comparrisons of dana vs moog and there is no comparison! Its all i run and im happy with em!
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[MidLifer]

Thanks for the info on Napa parts. I ordered Moog tie rod ends, idler arm and pitman arm, and I went with Dorman control arms. They had the fully-loaded arms at a very competitive price on Rockauto. When I priced up ball joints, bushings and the cost of pressing them in, it was cheaper to go with new A-arms. Easier too.

Wish me luck. I will start the work next weekend.

[72MARIO]

The upper controll arm shafts are diffirent between c/10 and c/20. the A arms stay the same. The c/20s upper shafts are thicker and push the a arm out further.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by 72MARIO

The upper controll arm shafts are diffirent between c/10 and c/20. the A arms stay the same. The c/20s upper shafts are thicker and push the a arm out further.

They use different size studs as well...