Hello
What difference is there, besides the weight loading and two more holes drilled into a 4000 GVW Lower Control Arm and the 3300-3600 GVW Lower Arm?
Can I use the 4000 GVW in place of the other?
My 1500 door sticker says its equipped with the 3500 GVW fronts...I would simply like to save about 1/2 of what the 3500 lowers cost versus the 4000's...
Thanks in advance for any input.

 

Okie dokie...
Looks like I'm gonna risk it and order the 4000#ers...
Decided to tear into this project today and after a quick disassembly of the right front, the supposed 3500# lower looks more like the 4000# arm shown in most catalogs...
4 holes drilled to accept either right or left side strut arm...
Let yall know when I do...

IMG_4586JPG.jpg

 

American brands...
No longer made in, of or by Americans...
Yet they charge as much as the real deal parts used to cost...
Go figure...
When a label needs to have the part description in at least 3 different languages...???
Gotta go with the more expensive, lower weight rating, Chinese made, 3500# lower arms...
darn it!
There are definite and obvious differences!
1- Larger lower ball joint on the 4000# arm will not fit the 3500#
2- Different arm design, more pronounced curve to the arm where it attaches to the frame.

Even contacted Summit and Rockauto techs and asked if they would interchange and both responded with same answer. They both said the arms would interchange according to part descriptions. WRONG!

Oh well, I will take this hit for all the other guys that may encounter this issue in the future.
Gonna have to return the 4000# arms and re order the 3500#...get charged for return shipping and the 3500# arms cost double the amount...
And BTW, FYI... so far both MOOG and Dorman are made in Copylandia.

pics of the 4000# arms next to the 3500#
Arm angle is different, ball joint bigger
Bigger BJ on the 4000# (left) 3500# on the right
Here you can see the angle difference
4000# (left) 3500# (right)

 

I'm looking to do this job pretty soon on an 02 1500. How did it work out for you? Did you do the top arm and/or spring too?

 

Have your lower arms rebuilt locally with new ball joints and bushing.
Apparently, since most of the lower control arms are made in craplandia, they are incorrectly drilled for the strut rod mounting points and no matter which ones you order, they won’t fit. I tried four different sets from ACDelco, Dorman, MEVOTECH and MOOG. All made in Craplandia and all manufactured wrong!
Yes, I replaced the upper arms
Yes, the lower springs must be removed and reinstalled to replace the arms.
No big deal if you do the job on the ground with a floor jack.
Not a difficult undertaking at all, just take your time and work carefully.
Dont forget to try and reassemble everything close to where the original parts were because you will have to drive to your alignment mechanic.
Best of luck!