1-ton Idler arm upgrade parts maker?
 

Hi all,

So awhile ago I purchased the bracket to do a 1-ton idler arm upgrade for my Blazer. I'm about to put in a parts order for some other parts and decided I might as well get the parts for this on the same order. Here is a link to the bracket part: https://www.outfitterdesign.com/1-to...m-bracket.html

The parts I'll be getting are the idler arm and idler arm pivot assembly for a 1999 Chevy K3500 pickup. The Moog part numbers are #K6447 for the idler Arm and #K6723 idler Arm Pivot.

My question is what brand of parts would all of you recommend I use? Moog? Mevotech? Proforged?

I ask because I've been hearing some griping lately on the forum about the quality of Moog going downhill.

Mevotech i haven't had a problem. Deacent price too

Moog has been up and down lately in quality for me

Haven't tried the proforged one...

Let us know how it goes and any snags. Really looking into this more as im tired of swapping out the stock arm setup lol...

Yes please let us know how it goes! Knowing you though you always do great write ups! If my jimmy stays ifs I will be doing the one ton idler arm and may upgrade the rest of the steering components to one ton as well. It will take some fabrication im sure.

Short update: I decided to go with the Proforged parts. But I think being an upgraded system, I likely could have gone with the Moog or Mevotech and had been fine.

I'll be sure to do a proper write up when I get to installing it. That will likely not happen until spring when the garage is warmer and I don't have to worry about being without a vehicle that can get around in the snow.

Late to the party in answering the first question. But here goes anyway. I see you went with Proforged and think that is a great choice. Having read many posts and had some past experience, I 'used to ' prefer Moog and have had good luck with them. But now it has changed in that many suspension parts manuf. have gone to off shore manuf. and even thought they promise they have kept the Quality Control up to their rigid standards, It doesn't always turn out as promised. The one post that made me question my old favorite Moog parts was to summarize: "Moog is good if you find a NOS/new old stock part on the shelf that is stamped Made in the USA. If it is stamped made in China or other off shore location, walk away." Moog and Proforged were previously the top choices.
I want to say Ditto's to the 3rd poster who said they enjoyed your detailed posts on your projects. I esp. like the parts numbers and manufacturer's names. Also the step by step procedure and whether it is a bolt on or some modification is required such as cutting and welding. Thanks, Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the additional thoughts. With winter ending and spring coming, I'll soon be able to start driving the 82 Prelude instead of the Blazer and also able to move the classic Mustang out of the garage so that I can start working on the Blazer.

The two next tasks will be replacing the rear shocks and looking at replacing the front idler arm. The shocks are higher on the priority list although I suspect the current idler arm might be loose. When I have it in the garage, I'll see if there is a "made in xxx" stamp on the idler arm as it is a Moog and I replaced it maybe 5 years ago?

And thanks for the compliment! :icon_beerchug:

'll be sure to take a lot of pictures when I do the upgrade. I do know one thing that will have to modified. It is that the bracket is just a tad narrow to accept the idler arm bearing body. This was reported somewhere else and I was able to confirm it for myself with a trial fit.

After almost a year of waiting I ordered this and used the proforged idler arm. It didnt fit so now they are asking me to buy the Moog part to see if it fits i.e. something wrong with the proforged part.

Christine what parts are you using as they say the proforged has been used successfully. The part in question is 102-10033

Originally, I purchased Proforged parts, the idler arm pivot (102-10033) and the idler arm (102-10026). However, I was not happy with the idler arm in that it didn't use a castellated nut and cotter pin to secure it, instead using a nylock nut. I've since gotten a Moog idler arm to attach to the Proforged pivot.

I did test fit the Proforged idler arm pivot to the Outfitter design mounting bracket and got it to fit with just a tad of filing on the faces of the the mounting bolt hole flanges. It didn't take much to get it to fit. Is this the fitment issue to which you are referring?

I'm hoping to get to doing the installation in the spring now that I have a replacement mounting bracket from Outfitter design since the original didn't seem to fit to the frame correctly.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...c6d8a4eafe.png
Where I had to file to make the idler arm pivot to fit are in pink.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...f83f99175.jpeg
The Proforged part is one the left and you can see how it is taller and has bigger bearing than the Moog. I returned the Proforged parts. The truck aligned and drives great with the Moog parts.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/blazerf...93c208ac6.jpeg
Tbis how the Moog part fit.

I spoke with Will at the msnufacturer and they will update their bracket welding procedure.

Thanks for posting this! The Proforged pivot bracket fit on the original adapter bracket but I didn't think to see if the Proforged would fit the replacement one. I just now tried it and it won't fit. It is close but as you pointed out, the higher body interferes with the inside of the adapter bracket.

Now I gotta figure out what to do. :(