2nd Gen Control Arm questions

[Rymar Garage]

So after Stripping down the front suspension and investigating the years of abuse on all ball joints, bushings tie rod..etc etc, I am very curious has anybody ever swapped control arms from another brand? Im talking about swapping control arms, spindles, brake calipers. Whats a good suggestion? Has it been done? Also can i swap steering arms (lowers) out with another brand thats longer to get more steering angle? (no ps)
Goal is Static drop for track/drift events. I am also in process of mono leaf and spring assist coil. Rear end is out getting welded solid while waiting to find a ford 8.8.
Suggestions? Advice? It would be nice to swap this stuff out so when stuff breaks i can easily find replacements parts and to give better geometry to the truck.
Fyi this wont be and isnt my DD.

[Rymar Garage]

I am open to ideas before stripping everything down to frame rail and going full custom

[DroppedMitsu]

If you just throw another makes c/a and spindles,etc on then you are not going to fix the geometry of anything, you are going to make it worse by trying to mix two manufacturers geometry/setups, plus most other trucks are front steer and the mighty max is rear steer. The mighty max geometry isnt really that bad compared to a lot of vehicles. Steering angle im sure could be improved by modiying a few things on the stock front end, I see guys doing it all day long on nissan hardbodies for drifting,etc.. To throw another manufacturers front end parts on the truck you'd need to use their front frame section, or redesign/build the mitsu front end around whatever front end parts you decide to use.

[Merrill]

Just build it once, build it right.

[Law Dog]

Look at getting the moog lower control arms if you need the little stuff as a lot of the small items that are hard to find come on the replacement arm from Moog already.

[Rymar Garage]

Well, I just ordered all new idler arm, tie rod uppers and lowers, Control arm bushings, ball joints etc and just cutting one coil of springs and putting better shocks on it. Brake caliper rebuilds, taking middle leaf from rear for time being. I will be running 16in with -6 offset on 4.2 backspacing.

[Rymar Garage]

I might be skipping around doing some suspension stuff but really need to get it to my buddys shop for either 4g63t swap or 7m swap lol he keeps pushing me on the 7m i might entertain after seeing build cost and power output/reliability

[pennyman1]

whats a 7m swap?

[Rymar Garage]

7mgte from early model supra. Friend runs a shop that deals with primarily supras and he keeps putting the idea in my head. And yes it will still be cheaper $ per horsepower than a 4g63t swap as we can do all the fab work needed...and it wont pop as soon (dont worry i actually know how to control the crave for more boost.)

[Rymar Garage]

.. To throw another manufacturers front end parts on the truck you'd need to use their front frame section, or redesign/build the mitsu front end around whatever front end parts you decide to use.

I've always thought about using a ranger front half section/frame. Even had one for a bit and started mocking mounts up for a 350 swap. I just couldnt get over hacking the truck up that much. It is a family truck and has history. Plus every time i start building something cool a friend comes in and starts waving money at me so i sell. So far ive built 3 engines for this thing and sold all of them before starting the transplant. 400 bored .30 over (406ci) sold right after completing the bottom end enough to hold 600hp+. 350 sbc sold after rebuild because a shop next door to one of my shops saw pics (full polished and painted by me) and bought it and put in a 68 camaro. Last but not least i was gifted a vortec 4.3 and sold it right in the middle of rebuild right after ordering cam, valves, etc etc. So thats why a polished rebuilt with weber factory 2.0 is still in the ole mm

[BradMph]

I've always thought about using a ranger front half section/frame. Even had one for a bit and started mocking mounts up for a 350 swap. I just couldnt get over hacking the truck up that much. It is a family truck and has history. Plus every time i start building something cool a friend comes in and starts waving money at me so i sell. So far ive built 3 engines for this thing and sold all of them before starting the transplant. 400 bored .30 over (406ci) sold right after completing the bottom end enough to hold 600hp+. 350 sbc sold after rebuild because a shop next door to one of my shops saw pics (full polished and painted by me) and bought it and put in a 68 camaro. Last but not least i was gifted a vortec 4.3 and sold it right in the middle of rebuild right after ordering cam, valves, etc etc. So thats why a polished rebuilt with weber factory 2.0 is still in the ole mm


Well, when can I place my order for an engine you big push over. Learn to say "no" maybe and put your darn truck together. Is is evident you like to hear your engines run, but in other peoples trucks or cars? come on man. Stop dropping the great engines and get to working on your, quote "family truck" lol thats funny. Putting a V8 high perfromance in the FAMILY CAR. Gawd, I have heard it all now. Don't be afraid of hacking it up either, you can't take the truck with you, so do as your heart tells you to do and for god's sake tell your friends to take a hike while your doing it. Give them your Paypal account and have them make donations to your cause.
History? I'll give you history...hows having your truck for 27 years sound, How's owning your first car ever for 37 years sound? Nothing new here, there are guys in here that have owned their trucks longer then me by almost 10 years and some with over 375,000 miles on them. There are guys ripping these things into pieces and putting them back piece by piece. I envy these builds and wish I could do what they do. So, get started on your build and keep us updated as your build progresses. Thats what we are here for, for the builds and imaginations.

[Rymar Garage]

^Great pov. very down to the point. But I did lead this story up a little incorrect. As Family truck I meant It has been my truck since 95, was purchased in 93. Ive driven that truck into the ground and back. This is just a project that ive been rebuilding actively for the last 3 years. It was my brothers truck and when he passed it sat for 12 years so had quite alot restoring to do. I have had multiple other projects come and go while working on this so i get a little destracted. I will post some pics and a build thread here today

[Rahtid]

are you swapping a rebuilt 7m or a stock 7m