71 C20 gets a 5.3

[skunked]

What front springs are you running? With the understanding that most porterbuilt parts are for the hot rod/slammed truck crowd I’m wondering if the taller spring is too much preload on the lower arm design? That shouldn’t be an excuse but I’m throwing some ideas around.

either way, that’s some scary $hit going on.

 

[beags86]

What front springs are you running? With the understanding that most porterbuilt parts are for the hot rod/slammed truck crowd I’m wondering if the taller spring is too much preload on the lower arm design? That shouldn’t be an excuse but I’m throwing some ideas around.

either way, that’s some scary $hit going on.

I thought about that when I read this on the crapper this morning. But I didn't say anything because I thought my idea was stupid.
To me it seems if the porterbuilt wasn't made for real work like your using your truck for.
.188 wall isn't that thick for a real truck imo. I would see if they could make you some in 1/4 inch. Or gusset them. But then again fixing brand new parts. Not acceptable. If you had 2 failure's like that I would be all over porterbuilt like a fly on shit.

 

[NorCalKid]

They are stock height c20 springs, so that could be? There aren't a lot of choices for c20/c30 front suspension. I want to pull it all apart so I can get good pictures before I talk with porterbuilt. It was pretty awesome customer service last time, he sent new uppers and lowers and I think even new ball joints

 

[skunked]

They are stock height c20 springs, so that could be? There aren't a lot of choices for c20/c30 front suspension. I want to pull it all apart so I can get good pictures before I talk with porterbuilt. It was pretty awesome customer service last time, he sent new uppers and lowers and I think even new ball joints

Did you run these A-Arms for the drop?

Their products have always appeared to be quality so I'm interested to hear what they say.

 

[mrk5]

Ooohh this is the truck someone pointed me too with the utility bed like I want for my 73!

I would definitely talk to them about the springs. Gotta be something not right for the parts to fail like this.

 

[beags86]

Ooohh this is the truck someone pointed me too with the utility bed like I want for my 73!

I would definitely talk to them about the springs. Gotta be something not right for the parts to fail like this.

What, I'm nameless now?

 

[NorCalKid]

Did you run these A-Arms for the drop?
Their products have always appeared to be quality so I'm interested to hear what they say.

I was just looking for something a little more than stock. Stiff, squeak free and grease able bushings. A relativity;y open design so they don't fill up with mud and shit. Sway bar mounts that I never got around to using

I emailed pictures at 7pm and got a response in under an hour. His customer service is pretty awesome.

Rear bolt is sheared off, which is kind of impressive.

 

[mrk5]

What, I'm nameless now?

No, I'm too lazy to back and figure out who it was.

I was just looking for something a little more than stock. Stiff, squeak free and grease able bushings. A relativity;y open design so they don't fill up with mud and shit. Sway bar mounts that I never got around to using

I emailed pictures at 7pm and got a response in under an hour. His customer service is pretty awesome.

Rear bolt is sheared off, which is kind of impressive.

View attachment 335695

View attachment 335696

View attachment 335697

Doesn't that second pic seem like a bad weld? Like there was no penetration?

 

[beags86]

Doesn't that second pic seem like a bad weld? Like there was no penetration?

No, the heat of the weld made the tube brittle and the base material broke.

@NorCalKid does porterbuilt spec what kind of material that are using in their arms? If it's chromoly that's not what you want to use in suspension arm...

 

[mrk5]

No, the heat of the weld made the tube brittle and the base material broke.

@NorCalKid does porterbuilt aspect what kind of material that are using in their arms? If it's chromoly that's not what you want to use in suspension arm...

Okay, I figured you'd have a better answer. Either way, I didn't think it looked right with it breaking right there at the weld.

 

[NorCalKid]

No, the heat of the weld made the tube brittle and the base material broke.
@NorCalKid does porterbuilt spec what kind of material that are using in their arms? If it's chromoly that's not what you want to use in suspension arm...

From the website I see thick wall DOM TIG welded. I think these were .188 or .25 wall. From my limited welding knowledge and asking a buddy who did precision tig for 20 years, looks like lack of penetration? I am only good with a hot glue gun on .12, anything out of that range and it gets interesting. So from all that... it shouldn't break on the weld clean if the weld penetrates proper.

Talked to him today and they are making some different style cross bars where the bar will hold the weight not the bolt and will be gusseting the arm to bushing connection. Nate has been pretty great through the whole process. Pretty wonderful company.

 

[beags86]

From the website I see thick wall DOM TIG welded. I think these were .188 or .25 wall. From my limited welding knowledge and asking a buddy who did precision tig for 20 years, looks like lack of penetration? I am only good with a hot glue gun on .12, anything out of that range and it gets interesting. So from all that... it shouldn't break on the weld clean if the weld penetrates proper.

Talked to him today and they are making some different style cross bars where the bar will hold the weight not the bolt and will be gusseting the arm to bushing connection. Nate has been pretty great through the whole process. Pretty wonderful company.

Could be lack of pen. Hard to see in pictures. I wish I could evaluate them in person. I love that part of my job. It's not something I get to do alot ad I'm mostly new weld inspection. Hope he gets it figured out for you.

 

[NorCalKid]

They sent out a new set of arms and the truck is back in action. They swapped to a new style of control arm shafts, all one piece so the weight isn't on the bolts. Hopefully they hold up to my abuse. The first one I tried to install had the threads not quite cut right so I galled it up pretty bad. Talked to Nate and he sent out a new one. Chased the threads on the other side and didn't have any issues. Pretty awesome customer service all around. I almost forgot how much fun the thing is to drive.