Boxing in rear control arms

[Bob Mathis]

I have ordered new rear control arms and I am going to box them in. I have a good friend that is a great welder. So I am going to take my time and make them good and strong and all so look good. I have the time now that I am retired. I spent $140.00 for all new ones. If this works out I may do the watts link too.

I will take pictures.

[fastblackmerc]

Why not get Metco or the type that Sparta sells? Staying with the stock arms even if they are boxed, you will have the same crappy soft rubber bushings instead of a Delrin or poly bushing. Plus the Metcos are greaseable. I would think the better bushings make for better handling.

[Bob Mathis]

Because I want to save some money and I see where others have done it and say it helps. I am not going to race it just looking for something to do.

[fastblackmerc]

Because I want to save some money and I see where others have done it and say it helps. I am not going to race it just looking for something to do.

10-4......

[Bob Mathis]

I have a plan to make sure that the welds are cleaned up and will not look like they are welded together. I see what others have done and they did great job. Just going to refine them a little more. Like I said I have time and the stuff to do this with. I am a fair welder but have a good friend who is really good. I am all so looking into some different bushings.

[chief455]

good stuff, since you have the time. you'll appreciate the handling difference, and that you made them yourself :)

[Bob Mathis]

Making things myself makes me feel good. My dad was a big part of that in my life. I feel they will look good and do the job I want. I all so want to make them look stock

[lifespeed]

To me it is re-inventing the wheel. I guess things are different when you're retired. Good luck!

[BigM460]

To me it is re-inventing the wheel. I guess things are different when you're retired. Good luck!

Re-inventing the wheel......................... ....?
Just guessing here, but if you purchased some Metcos for him, bet he'd install them. :banana: Do it! Let's see!

[Bob Mathis]

I was just telling people that I was going to box in my control arms. I am not re-inventing the wheel. Plus it is my wheel. I just like to let people know what I am doing. I well take advice anytime. I know I could buy Metco ones but did not want to.

It seems like when some post stuff. Some one has to say negative stuff. Or give there opinion when not ask. Like my English or grammar. I am 65 years old and retired. So you know how I feel.

I am not directing this to any one person. Just my feeling. I hope I did not upset anyone.

[martyo]

Here is my negative comment: I want to see the dang pictures!!!!! :D

[Bob Mathis]

I am working on it. I just got the new arms in. I found out that there was company that make a very heavy duty one. I had to order another set. But they only have two set of lowers. Will not be getting any more from that company. They all so do not have the uppers is that heavy metal. I will send the thickness in my next responds.
I will be doing pictures.

[Bob Mathis]

The one new set I got is right at 1/8 thick and the other set was about 5/64. I have reorder the heavy set. I was not able to get a good thickness check on the stock one but they look to be thinner than 1/8.

[RubberCtyRauder]

If didn't want to spend $$ for metco or sparta ones..then should have gotten Lincoln towncar LIMO ones..they are solid aluminum...but only for limo models and yes they fit

[chief455]

If didn't want to spend $$ for metco or sparta ones..then should have gotten Lincoln towncar LIMO ones..they are solid aluminum...but only for limo models and yes they fit
I'm reading that this man want's the project of making them himself. Not about money, about fun project for Marauder retiree ;)
I'm with Marty - let's see how they come out!

[Seneca]

Its all about the build and having fun while doing it! ! 😎

[Bob Mathis]

Here is where I am at for now. The Lower control arms I used are 1/8" thick so that made for a good weld. I am going to due the next one then start boxing in the ends with 1/8 flat bar.

[BigM460]

Do you think the ends even need boxed? All the stress is pushing on the lower arms.

I'm also going to do this soon. Going to narrow up the arms so the center stamped area touch and do some plug welds down the inside.

[Bob Mathis]

I know the ends may not need to be boxed but I think they would look better. Now remember these are 1/8" thick. I got some others that that were only about 16gage much thinner.

[burt ragio]

Kuddos on your project your going to love them. No more tail wag.
I have changed out the rear upper & lower control arms a few times. I have used stock & Z&M. They all appear as though one of the bushings is set about 10 to12 degrees off 90. Is that the case ?

[fastblackmerc]

Looking good Bob!

[massacre]

I boxed my lowers but my car is an Aero and is a triangulated 4-link.
I boxed them in completely, pics are terrible though I had a crappy cell phone lol. Uppers are double adjustable with spherical bushings on the frame side. They will handle 1000RWHP even though they will never see that much power LMAO!

They stiffened things up quite a bit and were cheaper than paying(even though I'm pretty sure no one makes an off the shelf lower control arm for the Aeros, at least one that I am willing to pay for) for already made ones.

[lifespeed]

Looks great, and you'll still have the cush rubber bushings. Which can be a good thing, depending on your preference and what you do with the car.

[justbob]

Looks great. But grinding the welds takes a lot of the strength out of it. 1/8" thick I'm sure it's fine.


Builder Of Badassery

[Bob Mathis]

Yes 1/8 is fine. I made sure that I had a small gap and the edges where beveled. so that way I get a lot of weld in the gap.

[Bob Mathis]

Here are the lowers. I think they turned out great.

[Bruce Wayne]

very nice, anyone know where you can buy the Town car LIMO rear control arms?

[chief455]

great work Bob!
If this hadn't been done already, guys would be begging you to make more! Still, your work on your car is the BEST.

[SergntMac]

very nice, anyone know where you can buy the Town car LIMO rear control arms?

Ummm...Don't you already own a set?

Seems I recall Steve Babcock's review of the Marauder underpinnings related that it all came from the Lincoln TC limo. He said it often, and never changed his story.

The Marauder was a parts car, taking stuff off the shelf kept costs down. The early cars, like my 1st Marauder (drove it home 31May02) had a lot of non-specific engineering numbers on them until converted over to LM numbers. I once had a "book" of parts numbers by groups that traced the numbers back through Ford. I do, clearly, recall TC suspension, as well as many CVPI parts.

Bob Mathis has been around since those days, time for y'all to clean out the garage and re...re...Purpose?

Nice job Bob, sweet!

Y'all be safe.

[Bob Mathis]

I found some from a ford dealer for about $112.00 each new. That's to much for me. If I did that I would have just gotten Metco.

[Bob Mathis]

Thanks all. Mac it is good to see you back. I enjoy doing thinks like these. It is not about the money but about doing thinks my self. Believe me I want to make them strong and safe.

[Bob Mathis]

I want to paint them Red but what do you all think?

[Zack]

Town Car Upper's are different, not the lowers.

[loud2004marquis]

I want to paint them Red but what do you all think?

Red would look good, are your calipers painted?

[Bob Mathis]

Yes they are red and I am going to due a good detail when the weather gets better. I do have shop with a lift. Just need to get warmer.

[RubberCtyRauder]

very nice, anyone know where you can buy the Town car LIMO rear control arms?

Check with member gDMJoe, he has them on his 03 CV sport and has pics

[lifespeed]

The Marauder has Town Car air springs, the control arms are ordinary panther.

[Bob Mathis]

I have a question. It looks like the upper have angle to them. Looks like when I set them on my bench and they are level the front end shows 6 degrees and the other is 0. Any input?

[chief455]

I want to paint them Red but what do you all think?
ooohhh:(
you asked.....

[Thenwhat85]

I cut out the middle and boxed them and reused the new rubber bushings. I was thinking of doing it the way you did but thought it would be too wide. Plus I guess I saved some weight. Right. Now I can go .001 of second faster in the quarter. Nice job they look good man

[MMBLUE]

Did someone say CA's http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/marauder-tech/117119-control-arms-you-can-do.html

A great how to do it.

[808Marauder]

Here is where I am at for now. The Lower control arms I used are 1/8" thick so that made for a good weld. I am going to due the next one then start boxing in the ends with 1/8 flat bar.

awesome mods! I'm certainly going to do this to mine!

[Bob Mathis]

Have come to a work stoppage do to the after market upper control arms. They are not the same as are stock ones. It is hard for me to box them in. so right now I am not sure if I want to keep going. I need some stock uppers and not sure if I want to spend any more money.

[justbob]

I cut out the middle and boxed them and reused the new rubber bushings. I was thinking of doing it the way you did but thought it would be too wide. Plus I guess I saved some weight. Right. Now I can go .001 of second faster in the quarter. Nice job they look good man


Nice. I've yet to see anyone do the watts link.


Builder Of Badassery

[Bob Mathis]

I am thinking about doing the watts link next. I think Thenwhat 85 did one.

[Thenwhat85]

I thought I had more pictures. Guess not. I bought a replacement watts link off eBay and welded them to the oems. The aftermarket ones where actually thicker. I trimmed (cut off wheel) both sets flush so they would butt together and pressed the new rubber bushings back in place

[lifespeed]

Sure wish there were some quality aftermarket parts available to address this. ;)

[Thenwhat85]

I'll try and get up under the car this weekend and rake some pictures

[Bob Mathis]

I put my lowers on. Now I am doing something different for the uppers. I all so ordered the watts link. I did feel some improvement with just the lowers.

[Bradley G]

I made several sets of boxed uppers and lowers and also boxed the Watts Links for both Panthers I still drive.

The uppers boxed are a little stoggy and ten years ago the Town Car limo billit uppers were cheap to buy new.
once I realized a better part was available for near the same money, I only boxed the Watts Links and the lowers.
I was not retired then, so I did not want to spend more time and near the same money for stock uppers.
At the time I was making them, members were donating their takeoffs or selling them for cheap.
I have some new stock uppers but they have a green keep ring on the bushings.
If you are interested in them I can get pics.

[Bob Mathis]

I am, thanks.

[Bob Mathis]

Here is the completed lower. I have installed them and can feel some change. I have the uppers in work.

[Bob Mathis]

Here is my new made upper control arms. I know they may look like Zack and Mack's but they are not. I designed them and made them my self. I all so am not making any to sale.

[chief455]

nice work, you must feel a noticable better rear 'sway' in the ride now.
some argue, spend 400 bucks, but you get the satisfaction of building your own.

[Bob Mathis]

I spend $200. But got more than I needed. Will be selling new set of lowers. So I will have less in them. And yes it was great to make them myself.

[SICAIROSINALOA]

any pictures yet

[Bob Mathis]

Yes they are on this thread and one I put out about the Watts link.

[Marauderjack]

Great work Bob!!:beer:

I'm sure that Miller Lite helps steady you hands for welding......it did mine!!;)

[fastblackmerc]

any pictures yet

Post #53........

[fastblackmerc]

any pictures yet

Post #26........