Frankenstein ? K2500 8600 gvw mismatched lower control arms

[docstoy]

I purchased this truck about 2 months ago , been trying to get everything on frame as dirt free as possible, today I got to front end of truck, pulled skid plates and get to looking . I have a stamped bolt in lower ball joint on right side and left side is stamped lower arm with forged on outer ball joint area. Upper control arms are 12 1/2 inch outside width right next to bushing/pivot. Hubs are 8 bolt. My questions are , Is this a 2500 frame ? Which lower control arm do I need to replace because it will need front end rebuild

 

[GoToGuy]

The riveted ball joint arm usually indicates it is original. As they come from the factory that way. And yes eight lug wheels are 2500 series, you bought it.

 

[Schurkey]

Maybe it was built that way...maybe one arm was replaced at some point.

Either way, doesn't matter. The arms are functionally interchangeable. Most guys "like" the fully-forged arms "just because"; but they're not available as aftermarket replacements and kinda rare in the Treasure Yard.

 

[docstoy]

So there is no advantage to one ball joint over the other ? I didn't know and then start searching threads and go thru service manual and no answer . Then see photo comparison of upper arms and still don't know .

 

[Schurkey]

What's most important is that the ball joints must fit both the control arm, and the steering knuckle.

Lower arms, the big deal is that they fit the arm. The ball joint tapers are the same, so they'll fit the steering knuckle no matter which arm you have.

Upper arms, the big deal is that the ball joint has to fit the steering knuckle, as--apparently--there's two different tapers, one for 6-lug knuckles, and one for 8-lug knuckles. The arms themselves can't be interchanged since there's a width difference at the bushing end, and the ball joints have different bolt-patterns where they attach to the control arm.

 

[offroadtahoe]

So there is no advantage to one ball joint over the other ? I didn't know and then start searching threads and go thru service manual and no answer . Then see photo comparison of upper arms and still don't know .

welded forged end control arm use a 46.13mm ball joint.the forged control arms are press in as well and are a upgrade and use a little bigger 47.89mm ball joint

they supposedly increase turn radius i know i felt a bit of difference.

i know knuckles changed after a certain year that's why you cant use bolt in ball joint's on the newer ones without grinding the knuckle

found on this thread https://www.gmt400.com/threads/front-lower-control-arms.55185/page-15

 

[docstoy]

So will forged lower control arms out of a '97 k2500 suburban work on my '93 k2500 8600gvw pickup ?

 

[offroadtahoe]

So will forged lower control arms out of a '97 k2500 suburban work on my '93 k2500 8600gvw pickup ?

Yes

 

[docstoy]

HEE HAW !!!! Now clean up ,paint , replace ball joints and bushings . Thanks for reply , offroadtahoe