1965 Dart upper control arm question

[Stumpy]

I need to pick the a body hive mind.

So I am having a local shop install the Dr Diff front disc brake conversion kit replacing the 10” front drums on my 65 Dart hi-po. When we got everything apart it is pretty clear the car needs new upper control arm bushings and the upper ball joints are pretty worn and might as well be replaced as well.

The Dr Diff kit comes with tapered sleeves to adapt the kit to the existing early a-body smaller upper ball joints. I’m assuming that the kit would work without sleeves with the 73 and later bigger UBJs.

My question is this. Could I or should I just replace the old 1965 a-body control arms with later control arms and larger ball joints and skip the kit adapters?

Would this be a better set up for less or same money? Would the 73 and later control arms fit without further modification?

 

[Kern Dog]

The Dr Diff stuff is good quality. The small upper ball joints are still more than adequate.

 

[Professor Fate]

My question is this. Could I or should I just replace the old 1965 a-body control arms with later control arms and larger ball joints and skip the kit adapters?

Yes you can.

Would the 73 and later control arms fit without further modification?

Yes they will.

Would this be a better set up for less or same money?

2 New late model UCAs with new bushings and ball joints already installed (Dr. Diff): $248 + tax & shipping.
Old UCAs: Free
Moog bushings (Rock Auto): $22.79 + ship, each side
Moog ball joints (RA): $32.79 + ship, each side
Total: $111.18 plus shipping, tax and labor.
Looks like close to a wash, just need to decide if you want brand new control arms or 60 year old arms.
The one benefit of rebuilding your old arms is the ability to substitute the Moog K7103 "Problem Solver" offset bushings instead of using the standard ones, so you can get it aligned with better specs for modern radial tires. $31.79 each side at Rock Auto.
If you do that, make SURE they don't install them according to the included instructions! Instead: Moog offset uca bushings | For A Bodies Only Mopar Forum (Post #4)
Then, since it will need an alignment anyway, have them follow these specs instead of the factory settings: