boxing front lower control arms

[megaladon6]

what kind/thickness metal do i need for this? is just flat pieces across the bottom fine, or is there a specific way it should be done?
just in case it makes a diff. it's for an 87 monte. and i'm also putting in the del-a-lum bushings.
thanks

[jaybee]

It's a lot easier to weld if you use the same thickness as the control arm. I'm not sure just what those control arms look like but most have a spring pocket that goes close to where your boxing plate will cross. If you can tie those together it will be stronger.

[David Pozzi]

And use cold rolled steel, it's stronger than hot rolled.

[Jimmy Sean]

You want something like this.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/aarm2-1.jpg

[jackfrost]

are those pre-fab brackets you got from somewhere?

or did you make them?

[Jimmy Sean]

are those pre-fab brackets you got from somewhere?

or did you make them?

Picture I found from a google search. They look like they were home made.

[shep]

Pete Lahore makes them or A-Body's http://einstyn.com/einstyn-hardtop-05.htm

[megaladon6]

where do i find the steel? the LCA's are 1/8in thick. i'm pretty sure that they're the same as jimmy sean pic'd. triangular with a spring pocket in the middle. does the channel behind the pocket/between the bushings need to be strengthened? or is it just the ball joint end and the side channels back towards the bushings?

[41565 chevelle]

I used a 3/16" thick plate, made a poster board template and transfered it onto the steel. Then had a local shop plasma cut the plate and I fit it with a grinder. It was one piece and went from the bushings to the bottom at the ball joint. Took some bending in a vise, big C-clamps and a little love from a hammer but it worked out well. Don't forget to bevel the edge so you get good penetration with the weld and to cut a hole big enough for a socket to get the bump stop nut in place. I will look for some pics, but it is solid as a rock and the powder coating covered it killer.