The Ridetech 11283699 is a pair of front upper StrongArm tubular control arms built for 1965 through 1970 Chevrolet full-size B-body vehicles including the Impala, Bel Air, Biscayne, and Caprice. The 11283699 arms are powdercoated black and arrive fully assembled with ball joints, Delrin bushings, and cross shafts ready to bolt in using the factory frame mount locations. They are designed for use with Ridetech ShockWave, CoilOver, or CoolRide suspension systems and replace the factory stamped steel upper control arms with a tubular design that corrects ball joint angles for lowered ride height geometry and improves front suspension performance.
Corrected Geometry for Lowered Ride Height
The 11283699 StrongArms are not a direct geometry replacement for factory arms. Ridetech engineered the upper ball joint location with a rearward offset compared to the stock position, which increases caster gain through suspension travel. At lowered ride heights, factory upper arms move the ball joint into a position that reduces caster and degrades steering return-to-center feel and high-speed stability. The 11283699 geometry corrects this by repositioning the ball joint to deliver optimal caster at the lowered stance, improving both steering feel and straight-line stability without requiring additional caster shims. The offset cross shaft in the 11283699 allows further alignment fine-tuning by reversing orientation to shift caster toward street or track settings.
Delrin Bushings and Cross Shaft Design
The 11283699 uses Delrin polymer bushings at the pivot points rather than rubber or polyurethane. Delrin is self-lubricating, requires no grease fittings, and does not soften or swell with heat or contact with petroleum products. It maintains consistent compliance through the full range of suspension travel, reducing deflection and suspension bind that conventional rubber bushings introduce. The cross shaft is designed with an offset that allows the installer to choose between a street alignment position and a more aggressive track or autocross caster setting simply by reversing the shaft orientation before torquing it to the frame bracket. No additional components or alignment cams are needed to access both settings.
Bolt-In Installation Using Factory Mounts
The 11283699 bolts directly to the factory upper control arm frame mounts using the original factory hardware. The OEM shims are reused and reinstalled in the same positions they were removed from to preserve the baseline alignment. The included ball joints are pressed into the control arm from the top with the stud pointing downward, secured with bolts torqued to 18 ft-lbs. The cross shaft nuts are tightened to create drag on the Delrin bushings while still allowing the arm to move through its full travel by hand. A professional front-end alignment is required after installation.
GM B-Body Platform Fitment
The 11283699 fits the 1965 through 1970 GM B-body platform. This platform includes the Chevrolet Impala, Bel Air, Biscayne, Caprice, and Kingswood across those model years. The front suspension architecture was shared across all B-body variants, making the 11283699 a direct application for all covered models. Some B-body vehicles from certain model years were produced with two factory upper control arms per side. On those vehicles, a second set of StrongArms may be needed. Confirm your specific vehicle’s upper arm configuration before ordering.
Compatibility Notes
The 11283699 arms require the use of OEM spindles. They are not compatible with aftermarket tall spindles or spindle upgrades from other suspension kits. They are designed for use with Ridetech ShockWave air suspension units, CoilOver systems, or CoolRide air bag and shock combinations. The factory coil springs and factory shocks are not compatible with the 11283699 arm geometry and cannot be used with these arms. The Ridetech front MuscleBar is recommended as a companion product when installing the 11283699 arms.
What’s Included
- 1 x 90001296 driver upper StrongArm (tubular steel, powdercoated black)
- 1 x 90001297 passenger upper StrongArm (tubular steel, powdercoated black)
- 2 x Proforged 101-10038 upper ball joint kits (one per arm)
- 1 x offset cross shaft
- Delrin bushings (pre-installed)
Note: Factory mounting hardware (bolts and shims) and spindles are reused. Ridetech ShockWave or CoilOver system required for installation. Factory coil springs and shocks are not compatible.
Vehicle Fitment
| Year | Make | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Chevrolet | Impala | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1966 | Chevrolet | Impala | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1967 | Chevrolet | Impala | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1968 | Chevrolet | Impala | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1969 | Chevrolet | Impala | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1970 | Chevrolet | Impala | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1965 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1966 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1967 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1968 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1969 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1970 | Chevrolet | Bel Air | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1965 | Chevrolet | Biscayne | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1966 | Chevrolet | Biscayne | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1967 | Chevrolet | Biscayne | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1968 | Chevrolet | Biscayne | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1969 | Chevrolet | Biscayne | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1970 | Chevrolet | Biscayne | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1966 | Chevrolet | Caprice | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1967 | Chevrolet | Caprice | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1968 | Chevrolet | Caprice | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1969 | Chevrolet | Caprice | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
| 1970 | Chevrolet | Caprice | Front upper; OEM spindle required |
Product Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) | 11283699 |
| Series | StrongArm |
| Position | Front upper (pair) |
| Material | Tubular steel |
| Finish | Black powdercoat |
| Bushing Type | Delrin (self-lubricating, no grease required) |
| Ball Joint | Proforged 101-10038 (bolt-in, included) |
| Ball Joint Torque | 18 ft-lbs |
| Cross Shaft | Offset design (reversible for caster adjustment) |
| Compatible Suspension | Ridetech ShockWave, CoilOver, CoolRide |
| Spindle Requirement | OEM factory spindles required |
| Application | 1965-1970 GM B-body (Impala, Bel Air, Biscayne, Caprice) |
| Sold As | Pair (driver and passenger) |
| UPC | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the Ridetech 11283699 StrongArms fit my 1967 Chevrolet Impala?
Yes. The 11283699 is designed for the 1965 through 1970 GM B-body platform, which includes all Chevrolet Impala models in those years. The front suspension geometry is shared across the full B-body lineup for that generation. Confirm that your vehicle uses the stock OEM spindles, as the 11283699 requires factory spindles and is not compatible with aftermarket spindle upgrades.
What makes the 11283699 geometry different from the stock upper control arms?
The 11283699 positions the upper ball joint farther rearward than the factory arm. This rearward offset increases caster gain as the suspension compresses, which is critical at lowered ride heights where factory geometry would otherwise reduce caster and create vague, wandering steering feel. At stock ride height, the factory arms work acceptably. At lowered stance, the 11283699 geometry is needed to maintain proper caster and stable high-speed handling.
Can I use the 11283699 arms with my existing factory coil springs and shocks?
No. The 11283699 StrongArms are designed specifically for use with Ridetech suspension systems, including ShockWave air units, CoilOver systems, and CoolRide configurations. The factory coil springs and conventional shocks are not geometrically compatible with the 11283699 upper arm layout. Attempting to run factory springs and shocks with these arms will result in suspension bind and incorrect ride height. A matching Ridetech front suspension system is required.
Does the 11283699 come with ball joints already installed?
Yes. The 11283699 includes Proforged 101-10038 upper ball joints. The ball joints are pressed into the arm from the top with the stud facing down and secured with bolts torqued to 18 ft-lbs. The arms arrive fully assembled with ball joints, Delrin bushings, and the cross shaft, ready to bolt to the frame with your factory mounting hardware.
Do I need to buy new mounting hardware, or can I reuse the factory bolts and shims?
The factory mounting hardware is reused. Keep the original upper control arm bolts, and most importantly, keep the OEM alignment shims in the exact order and location they came out. The shims serve as the baseline caster and camber adjustment. When you install the 11283699 arms, reinstall the shims in the same positions. A professional alignment is required after installation to dial in the final settings using the 11283699’s reversible cross shaft and any shim adjustments needed.
How does the offset cross shaft in the 11283699 allow alignment adjustment?
The cross shaft is machined with an offset pivot that shifts the control arm’s pivot axis when the shaft is flipped. With the offset toward the outside of the vehicle, the geometry produces a street alignment with 3.0 to 5.0 degrees of positive caster. With the offset toward the inside, the geometry shifts toward a more aggressive track or autocross setting with increased caster. You select the orientation before tightening the cross shaft into the frame brackets. No additional cams, adjusters, or aftermarket eccentric bolts are needed.
Does the Ridetech 11283699 fit the 1965-1970 Chevrolet Bel Air or Biscayne?
Yes. The 1965 through 1970 Bel Air, Biscayne, Caprice, and Impala all share the same GM B-body front suspension architecture. The 11283699 upper StrongArms are designed for this platform and fit all four models. The Caprice was not offered until 1966, so 1965 fitment covers Impala, Bel Air, and Biscayne only.
What alignment specs does Ridetech recommend after installing the 11283699 arms?
Ridetech recommends the following street alignment specs for the 11283699: camber of negative 0.5 degrees, caster of positive 3.0 to 5.0 degrees, and toe of 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch toe-in. For track or autocross use, more aggressive caster settings are achievable by reversing the cross shaft orientation and fine-tuning with shims. Always have alignment performed by a shop experienced with classic muscle car suspensions to ensure accurate readings.
California Proposition 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.p65warnings.ca.gov.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.