I was wondering. I haven't had a chance to look at them yet, but on the '65 Chevelle, I am planning on investing in a Suspension kit like the G-Machine or something from Hotchkis and I wanted to save some money and re-use the front and rear control arms, but wanted to make them stronger by boxing them and wondered if anyone thought it either is or isn't a good idea.
If you are in favor, have you any suggestions or experience you can share with me re: how to or maybe another thread where someone has already done it and documented it?
I'd like to also know if anyone has used the G-machine or a hotchkis kit and what the more popular one would be as far as best bang for out $$?
Thanks & Aloha,
Scott

ANYONE?:confused:

Everything you need to know about boxing your stock arms.

http://www.leverfamilysite.com/

The best suspension parts and advice available for a-bodies can be found here: www.scandc.com

I was just quoted $345 shipping & handling from Performance Suspension Components for their G-Machine Stage-2 kit. The Kit is about $1060, but the S&H is killin' me!

WOW that is crazy high... Is that typical for shipping to the state? Or is the vendor adding special "handling" charges?

I just placed my stage II+ order to SCandC and the shipping within the states was ~$35

Boxing the arms is pretty easy and basic. I have done both the upper and lower ones on my Fox body. Make a cardboard template, cut steel to match, grind the weld area, fit and tack and weld. Weld in short busts side to side so as not to warp the arms.

On the lowers, I even added a new bracket for the sway bar. Cost about $10.

Paint to suit.

The only caution I have is that if you think you may need to adjust the pinion angle, you may be better off to get adjustable uppers. Especially since you are going with a handling type package.

I would try to get all the coordinated pieces from one vendor if I was trying to really upgrade for handling. I was simply building a drag rear suspension.

I just did my control arms on my 67 Elcamino 2 weeks ago..
total cost...$10.00. went to my local Ace Hardware. bought 1/8 inch
by 2' wide steel flat plate 48" long. cut two long peices for bottom arms and two for the top. ribbon welded in place allowing time to cool. wire brushed and painted. Did buy PST bushings (polygraphite). now they were a pain to put 1st one in then the rest were ok have them installed but haven't done road test due to brake problem i'm about to
post on line.

www.P-S-T.COM (http://www.P-S-T.COM) FOR BUSHING INFO

JAY

performance suspension components: Has anyone used their g-machine kits? How was everything?:)

Hello
I noticed that you are looking into boxing your rear control arms. And I just wanted to suggest to you that UMI Performance offers a wide variety of rear end suspension parts (Tubular and Boxed) that will meet your needs. They will not only save you time but also last for years to come. All of our non adjustable control arms feature a Energy Suspension Grease able Poly Bushing and our sway bar mounts are reinforce with sleeves. And they are also available in black and red powder coating. Below is a link to show you what all UMI Performance has to offer.

http://www.umiperformance.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_18_25&zenid=31n0fenr8thndb3buu3jor5vf3

If you have any other questions feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help!
Thanks
Brad :D