[SRD Ben]

Hey all, I'm here to ask the experts and could really use some insight. I'm wondering if anyone knows if aftermarket Impala upper and lower control arms bolt directly to an Astro frame and spindle?

I'm building a hot rod truck and have read that Astros have the same geometry as 70-81 Camaros, 73-77 A body Chevelles, '78-96 B body Impalas, and some Caddys. I want my truck to handle well enough to have occasional fun autocross racing it, and I have access to a good 2003 Astro 2WD subframe that I'd like to use. I know for sure Camaro performance geometry correcting tubular control arms are a direct bolt on (same design) as the Caprice/ Impalas, and there are a couple companies out there that make these arms specifically for Impala SS' and 9C1 cars with the 5/8" ball joints.

Lots of guys have used Astro lower control arms and 9C1 Caprice spindles to convert Caprices to the larger lower ball joint but no one speaks of swapping Astro upper arms onto a Caprice/ Impala. So the big remaining question is do Caprice/ Impala upper arms swap directly with Astro 2WD upper arms?

Thanks for any insight! -Ben

 

[tungtide]

I would not know, however I have been told that quality wrecking yards have a book that would answer those questions.

 

[MI_Ghost]

The only difference between the Astro and B body is the 5/8 lower ball joint. Standard on Astro, Upgrade on B body.
Please post pics when you do it.

Also look into using the AWD front rotor for better cooling and less brake fade.

 

[SRD Ben]

Thanks for the input fellas!

Ken- I tried that online on a couple wrecking yard websites but it just referenced the different years for Astros and Safaris. I think it was just focusing on what was in inventory. Next time I'm at the wrecking yard I'll check at the desk.

Ghost- That's what I'm trying to verify, thanks! This is kind of a whacky project, It's a '77 3/4 ton Suburban I'll be digging into in the spring. I already picked a spare 1/2 ton Suburban chassis and all the typical parts to lower it, but after all that effort it still has awful truck geometry. Simply cruising low would be nice but I'm an avid autocrosser with my car and would like to have at least semi-decent handling in the Burb too. Plus truck based autocross events are gaining momentum and I've yet to see a Suburban racing, usually it's just pick ups and Blazers. That 2nd gen Camaro based geometry is one of the best GM geometries from earlier days and there's lots of aftermarket support for upgrades so I've been thinking about a front suspension swap for a while. Because the car is so popular to fix up it's near impossible to find at a decent price on a junk Caprice/Impala just to cut the front half of the frame out of it. When I found the Astro was similar geometry and apparently the same track width as a 70s/80s Chevy trucks I've kept my eye out for an Astro subframe. One popped up recently, a 5 lug 2WD complete with suspension for $200. As far as brakes go I plan to use Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 15" rotors and I'm leaning towards using SRT8 Charger 4 piston Brembo calipers. On the rear suspension I haven't had any grand inspiration to hack that up too much so at this point I'm planning a basic axle flip, keeping the 3/4 ton springs with a sway bar from an '03 Tahoe. For driveline it'll have a big block Chevy that will be in the neighborhood of 630 hp and near 600 ft lbs. That'll be backed by an overdrive automatic and a 9" Ford rear axle unless I come across a 6 lug GM 14 bolt semi floater I can convert to 5 lug. That's about the gist of it.