homemade control arms?

[1980elcamino]

So, I was looking on ebay for some rear control arms for my el camino. Everything I found was fairly expensive and didnt seem much better than my stock ones. I found some Polly bushings online I think actualy for a camaro but that doesnt matter. Im thinking about buying them for only $40 and making my own arms. The only really important factor would be that the two arms are the same length (I think). So here is my plan.
1. take off one lower control arm.
2. get two 8 inch long pieces of pipe the bushings will mount in(bushing mounts).
3. Set control arm on its side and set two pipes on top of bushing mounts to position properly.
4. measure distance between pipes.
5. Cut and notch two 2" sections(center section) of pipe to fit in between the two bushing mounts.
6. Weld both center sections to bushing mounts at same time.
7. Cut the bushing mounts in half between the two welded on center sections.
8. Cut bushing mounts to final length and press in bushings.
So, im thinking that by welding in both center sections at the same time to each bushing mount and cutting later it will be exactly the same length. Sounds prety easy. I dont have a welder but maybe ill buy one or just go to the welding shop I use. Anyways anyone else ever done this?

 

[kustomss]

Seems like it could work. I'd definitely have a shop do it though just to be safe. Also, I'd use chrome-moly tube because it's pretty strong.

 

[1980elcamino]

well im deffinetly not going to be able to tig weld. lol. maybe ill do all the cuts and lay out and just bring it in and have it welded. The only "welder" I have is oxy/acetylene. probably not going to work.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I used these from Speedway. Not expensive, came with poly bushings, and are boxed, nice and strong.http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1978-88-GM-G-Body-Rear-Control-Arms,32841.html