#1  
Old 11-23-2021, 01:32 PM
Adecco Adecco is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: River Grove Illinois
Posts: 438
Default 62 Cataline Boxed lower control arms

I am thinking of boxing the rear lower control arms on my 1962 Catalina.

Looking to get thoughts and opinions?

The car has a tremic 5 speed, 410 gear, 32 inch tall 10 slick/frame rails notched/mini tub and a nice built Pontiac engine (IA2) that I picked up, front plate with solid motor mounts and just want to make the rear a little stronger (stock 62 housing, with strange internals and axels)

Thanks Tom

  #2  
Old 11-23-2021, 04:27 PM
Stuart's Avatar
Stuart Stuart is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,938
Default

If you can weld I don't think it's a big deal as a DIY project. Alternately, you can buy aftermarket boxed control arms from I think a couple different sources.

  #3  
Old 11-23-2021, 06:22 PM
gtospieg gtospieg is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,225
Default

I recently boxed a set of lower control arms for my current 67 Tempest project. Basically free if you have enough scrap steel and a welder. Definitely beefier than the factory control arms. I also drilled holes for a rear sway bar and welded in some sleeves so that when the bolts are tightened they wont crush the control arms.

  #4  
Old 11-23-2021, 09:00 PM
Adecco Adecco is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: River Grove Illinois
Posts: 438
Default

Thanks

  #5  
Old 11-23-2021, 09:40 PM
jerry455 jerry455 is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: sterling hts mi
Posts: 296
Default

I boxed control arms for several cars in the past. It is kind of fun and rewarding.

  #6  
Old 11-24-2021, 11:12 AM
misterp266's Avatar
misterp266 misterp266 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Raynham, MA
Posts: 1,790
Default

You could always replace with adjustable fabbed ones.

https://pmtfabrication.com/product/1...-trailing-arms
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	3F03D4B2-54E7-46A7-9C47-580CBF0D44D5.jpeg
Views:	113
Size:	67.4 KB
ID:	578487  

__________________
" Darksiders Rule "
  #7  
Old 11-30-2021, 10:29 AM
Adecco Adecco is offline
Senior Chief
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: River Grove Illinois
Posts: 438
Default

very nice thanks for the link..

  #8  
Old 11-30-2021, 03:46 PM
webfoot's Avatar
webfoot webfoot is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hermiston, OR
Posts: 2,074
Default

I ordered custom tubular lower control arms for mine from an online offroad shop called thorbros. That being said, welding in some steel plates would be by far the easiest and cheapest option.

https://thorbros.com/4-link-parts/4-...-poly-bushings

Cost was far less than the PMT fabrication units.
I made my own adjustable uppers using DOM steel tube, weld-in inserts and heim joints made for rock crawler/buggy stuff. (Total overkill.)

__________________
-Jeremy

1968 GTO 4-spd convertible, console, factory gauges, hidden headlights, 3.90:1 posi, AM/FM radio.

1962 Catalina convertible, Starlight black w maroon interior & white top.
  #9  
Old 01-04-2022, 05:10 PM
389 389 is offline
Suspended
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 561
Default

You guys do realize your binding the rear ends movement boxing those arms. The engineers figured in the flex of the rubber bushing and the flexing of the arm. They made those arms flimsy like that for good reason.

What you need to do is pick up some left and right thread, Delrin sleeved, spherical bushings along with the weld in threaded bungs. Then get some 1-1/2 to 2" rigid pipe and make some fully adjustable lower control arms. I would also do the same for the uppers. Having a four-wheel alignment is amazing! Your cars handling and ride will be light years better.

I use the Currie Johnny Joint.

  #10  
Old 01-04-2022, 10:10 PM
gtospieg gtospieg is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,225
Default

The factory DID box the lower rear control arms in later years and once you add the rear antisway bar there probably isn't a whole lot of flex left.

  #11  
Old 01-05-2022, 02:13 AM
Geoff Geoff is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 2,470
Default

The boxed control arms were a sales gimmick, did next to nothing for handling.
That is because they were a square/rectangular cross section. Get a 2 foot long piece of square tube & put one end in a vice. If you get a wrench on the other end, you will be able to twist it.

Now put a piece of round tube in a vice & repeat above. Just about impossible to twist round tube of that length.

If you want handling improvement, use control arms that use round section pipe.

  #12  
Old 01-05-2022, 04:38 AM
Goatracer1 Goatracer1 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NH
Posts: 3,768
Default

I would be more worried about the 60 year old center section breaking. We raced those cars back when they were new and broke the center sections. The cast iron case would crack and that was with sh---y 7 inch wide slicks and probably a lot less HP.

  #13  
Old 01-06-2022, 06:37 PM
misterp266's Avatar
misterp266 misterp266 is offline
Ultimate Warrior
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Raynham, MA
Posts: 1,790
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 389 View Post
You guys do realize your binding the rear ends movement boxing those arms. The engineers figured in the flex of the rubber bushing and the flexing of the arm. They made those arms flimsy like that for good reason.

What you need to do is pick up some left and right thread, Delrin sleeved, spherical bushings along with the weld in threaded bungs. Then get some 1-1/2 to 2" rigid pipe and make some fully adjustable lower control arms. I would also do the same for the uppers. Having a four-wheel alignment is amazing! Your cars handling and ride will be light years better.

I use the Currie Johnny Joint.
Check pics on my profile page of the ones I made for my ‘63 Safari. Round tube, Johnny Joints on one end. Adjustable lowers.

__________________
" Darksiders Rule "
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:00 PM.

 

About Us

The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.

 




Copyright © 2017