2G Bang for your buck, 3G control arm/sway bar swap purchase options?

[KilleRabbit]

So here is the deal. I've read a few posts about the 3G 3.0 rear control arm and sway bar swap and i know that it is doable. I was looking as cost and found that for the control arms, sway bar, end links, and bushings new it would cost about $300 for everything new. I then did a little digging to get prices from my local you-pull-it and found that i could get the control arms and sway bar for about $130 if I pull them off a V6 3G. The big thing there is patience and waiting for one to arrive. Of course I would still need new bushings, ball joints, and end links.

What do you guys think? Better to buy new, or pull off from junk yard? Please also keep in mind no matter which route I go I will be buying poly bushings so even if I go with new I will be buying poly bushings separately.

If anyone has any other source info on vendors with decent pricing on these components that I may not have stumbled upon you please feel free to share.

 

[techboy]

Funny you bring this up. I just did this exact thing 2 weekends ago. I'm in the midst of a AWD swap on my GST so I'm currently rebuilding the rear sub-frame. I did some research like you and stumbled across the 3G info. So, I headed out to my local boneyard (which is pretty small) knowing that every time I go I see 3G's and walk right by. I got there, found one in 15 minutes and pulled everything in less than a 1/2 hour. A lot of other stuff was missing so I had easy access. I was gone in less than an hour and paid $43.60 for everything. Best part ... the p/o of the car had installed poly bushings on all the joints already! I'm going to be buying new end links and have most of the parts powder coated - so I still have some $$ to spend.

EDIT - I had a hard time finding the 3G parts on-line new. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places, but everything I found was Mitsu OEM part# prices that were ridiculous.

 

[KilleRabbit]

Funny you bring this up. I just did this exact thing 2 weekends ago. I'm in the midst of a AWD swap on my GST so I'm currently rebuilding the rear sub-frame. I did some research like you and stumbled across the 3G info. So, I headed out to my local boneyard (which is pretty small) knowing that every time I go I see 3G's and walk right by. I got there, found one in 15 minutes and pulled everything in less than a 1/2 hour. A lot of other stuff was missing so I had easy access. I was gone in less than an hour and paid $43.60 for everything. Best part ... the p/o of the car had installed poly bushings on all the joints already! I'm going to be buying new end links and have most of the parts powder coated - so I still have some $$ to spend.

EDIT - I had a hard time finding the 3G parts on-line new. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places, but everything I found was Mitsu OEM part# prices that were ridiculous.

I had priced and sourced everything new from all different stores but it was all OEM Mitsu, hence the $300 price tag. Are you reusing the stock spindle hubs on your car or did you pull those with the setup from the junk yard?

 

[techboy]

I had priced and sourced everything new from all different stores but it was all OEM Mitsu, hence the $300 price tag. Are you reusing the stock spindle hubs on your car or did you pull those with the setup from the junk yard?

Same problem I had - everything was OEM Mitsu.

I haven't decided that yet. You're a little further ahead in thinking than I am. I'm still trying to get my rear sub frame fully disassembled. I have 2 bolts that are seized in the lower control arm bushings and won't let go. I think I'm going to have to heat them with a torch. Once I get it all apart, cleaned up and going back together I'll start figuring out what direction I'm going with the reassembly. I'll probably use the stock spindle hubs and replace all the bearings.

 

[KilleRabbit]

Same problem I had - everything was OEM Mitsu.

I haven't decided that yet. You're a little further ahead in thinking than I am. I'm still trying to get my rear sub frame fully disassembled. I have 2 bolts that are seized in the lower control arm bushings and won't let go. I think I'm going to have to heat them with a torch. Once I get it all apart, cleaned up and going back together I'll start figuring out what direction I'm going with the reassembly. I'll probably use the stock spindle hubs and replace all the bearings.

An impact isn't getting them free?