I'm rebuilding my 1968 notchback and I'm interested in the upper control arms by Opentracker. I've emailed them and called twice but haven't received any response. I'm building a street car with the Shelby drop, #620 springs and Koni shocks.
What's the difference between their "street" upper arms and their "custom" arms. Their website says that the "heavy duty custom" upper arms has a "new frame that is the same thickness as the original", a Moog shaft and ball joint, and their "custom upper control arm" has a Moog ball joint.
It seems that their "street" upper arms don't have any Moog parts, but are the frames different from the "custom" arms?
Which products have people used here?
I may just end up rebuilding my old arms since they look like they're in great condition but I haven't taken the bushings and shaft out yet. BTW, what size socket is needed to take the big cap bushings off of the shaft? I measured the cap and it's around 1.25"--is it a 1 1/4 or 1 5/16 socket?
< Message edited by 1968notchback -- 5/9/2008 6:28:54 PM >
Posts: 3285
Joined: 5/4/2005 From: Western MD Status: offline
Hmm, he is usually really good about responding...
I have a set of his rollerized spring saddles. Although I haven't actually driven on them yet, they seen high quality and all I've heard is good things!
If I could re-do my suspension work, I'd assemble a full kit from him...
Hmm, he is usually really good about responding...
I have a set of his rollerized spring saddles. Although I haven't actually driven on them yet, they seen high quality and all I've heard is good things!
If I could re-do my suspension work, I'd assemble a full kit from him...
I've called him 3 times and let it ring a dozen times--no answer and no voice mail. I sent an email a month or so ago and no answer. I wonder if they want my business or is that how it goes with these kinds of suppliers?
I think he posted on another forum that he threw his back out and having some problems with that. That he's behind on emails and orders getting out etc......
Good luck, I've tried several times over several weeks. NO RESPONSE. Soooooooo, I've decided to go with another company. The best way to go out of business, is not to do business. I was concerned about "if having a problem with their product, or needing help", and not being able to get in contact with them. Not to say they don't make good stuff. Butttttttttt...............................I gave up. Make your own judgement.
I think he posted on another forum that he threw his back out and having some problems with that. That he's behind on emails and orders getting out etc......
Is he filling orders, does he have anything in stock? I'm going to disassemble the left corner tonight and will be ready to assemble the front suspension by next week and so I'm looking for parts in the near future.
I have never been able to find anyone who sells a 100% MADE IN THE USA upper control arm. Just a bunch of vague references to good quality ones sold by various vendors. Does anyone know of an American made upper control arm and who makes it and who sells it?
For the rest of the parts I'm going with Moog and they're easy to find online. BTW, Amazon.com sells Moog for a great price and you get free shipping. Their Raybestos stuff is also inexpensive.
I actually talked to Shari at OTR a couple of days ago and she said John hurt his back a couple of weeks ago, thats why there havn't been any replies. She said they're doing their best to reply to emails and get back to everyone.
Shari helped me out, she was great. Just give them a bit of time and they'll get back to you.
I actually talked to Shari at OTR a couple of days ago and she said John hurt his back a couple of weeks ago, thats why there havn't been any replies. She said they're doing their best to reply to emails and get back to everyone.
Shari helped me out, she was great. Just give them a bit of time and they'll get back to you.
Okay, that sounds definitive. I guess I can wait a bit but it seems that the support for Mustangs really is miles behind the GM classic cars. My brother has a Camaro and a '79 TransAm Firebird and it's amazing how much more stuff there is for those cars compared to classic Mustangs. I may just have to go with another vendor if I can't get information from opentracker soon.
I don't understand why vendors don't give the brand names of the parts they sell--you can't figure out if the brake parts or ball joints were made in America by Raybestos, Moog or Sp!cer or shipped over in a container from China. At least at Amazon.com you know what you're buying up front.
This is why they're getting my business for suspension and brake parts. Besides their 10x2" rear drums are only about $23 (Raybestos) which is less than half what everyone else is selling them for.
Yeah his back is messed up and i don't know how many workers he got so he might be temp shut down who knows.http://www.streetortrack.com/ has his roller spring perchs there lower control arms are usa made the uppers don't say could email them.
I actually talked to Shari at OTR a couple of days ago and she said John hurt his back a couple of weeks ago, thats why there havn't been any replies. She said they're doing their best to reply to emails and get back to everyone.
Shari helped me out, she was great. Just give them a bit of time and they'll get back to you.
Okay, that sounds definitive. I guess I can wait a bit but it seems that the support for Mustangs really is miles behind the GM classic cars. My brother has a Camaro and a '79 TransAm Firebird and it's amazing how much more stuff there is for those cars compared to classic Mustangs. I may just have to go with another vendor if I can't get information from opentracker soon.
I don't understand why vendors don't give the brand names of the parts they sell--you can't figure out if the brake parts or ball joints were made in America by Raybestos, Moog or Sp!cer or shipped over in a container from China. At least at Amazon.com you know what you're buying up front.
This is why they're getting my business for suspension and brake parts. Besides their 10x2" rear drums are only about $23 (Raybestos) which is less than half what everyone else is selling them for.
Check out OPR's web site. He uses Moog and McQuay-Norris parts. Both quality "made in the USA" components. BTW: I *think* Mustang Depot stocks some of the OPR stuff as well. So you might be able to purchase from them. I have been running some first generation OPR stuff (from before it was OPR) on the '66, as have a few others on this site. Very nice quality!
I always found them excellent to deal with when shipping stuff to me in the Netherlands and the product is top quality as scott says some mustang part house do carry his stuff.
Update: I went to Sears and bought a 1 1/4" socket (3/4" drive) to take the cap ends off the control arm shaft. I got one side off and it was obvious that the threads in the control arm were finished. I could not get the other cap off even with my longest breaker bar, WD-40, heat and some whacks from a ballpeen hammer. That's too bad since the arm was in great shape--hardly any rust and no signs of damage or wear.
So I need two new upper control arms. I'll try sending Opentracker another email since his products seem to be the best quality for the money.
Good luck, I've tried several times over several weeks. NO RESPONSE. Soooooooo, I've decided to go with another company. The best way to go out of business, is not to do business. I was concerned about "if having a problem with their product, or needing help", and not being able to get in contact with them. Not to say they don't make good stuff. Butttttttttt...............................I gave up. Make your own judgement.
As a friend of John at Opentracker I hope you will give them a second chance. John is a really good guy who's #1 goal, like mine, is to help people. John is a 1 man show. he makes all is product by hand and his quality is top notch. as of late he has been hurt and in spite of that is still working to fill orders, just not as fast as he was. If any one has any questions about opentracker's product feel free to ask me and I will be happy to answer your questions.
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If hurt, I can understand. I have heard nothing but good comments about his products, however I did try for a period of about 4 weeks to contact them, without a reply. If he's up and running now, I will try again.
As a friend of John at Opentracker I hope you will give them a second chance. John is a really good guy who's #1 goal, like mine, is to help people. John is a 1 man show. he makes all is product by hand and his quality is top notch. as of late he has been hurt and in spite of that is still working to fill orders, just not as fast as he was. If any one has any questions about opentracker's product feel free to ask me and I will be happy to answer your questions.
What's the difference between the "Street" and "Custom" control arms? Both of the "Custom" arms have Moog balljoints and the "Heavy Duty Custom" arm also has a Moog shaft. But the custom arm also say this: "Our heavy duty upper control arms start out with a new frame that is the same thickness as the original." The heavy duty arm is also $85 more than the "custom" arm.
Does this mean that the "custom" arm comes with a thinner frame than the "heavy duty" arm since the Moog shaft kit can't be $85 more than a non-Moog shaft.
And what kind of frames are being used for the "Street" arms? Are they thin Chinese junk? The "Street Ready" arm is just $190 and the reinforced street arm is $260. What kind of components come on these arms since it's obvious that everything is cheaper with these arms.
Is the "custom" upper arm a "street" arm with Moog balljoints? I'm not on a tight budget and can afford any of these, but I like to know what I'm buying. His product lineup is really confusing.
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Opentracker Upper Control Arm question - 
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