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Differences between control arms

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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 12:29 PM
  #1  
Nakedginger's Avatar
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From: Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline Six
Default Differences between control arms

So Im going to be lifting my 1990 2 door jeep cherokee up to 4.5" and have been looking into new upper and lower control arms. What my question is, is what is the big difference/advantages between

adjustable flex control arms
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/suspens...r-arms-tj.html

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/suspens...-tj-wj-zj.html

adjustable control arms
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/suspens...r-arms-tj.html

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/suspens...-tj-wj-zj.html

and fixed arms
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/suspens...arm-xj-tj.html

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/suspens...-xj-tj-zj.html

other then a $120 difference. any input will be greatly appriciated!
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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 08:06 PM
  #2  
xjmarc's Avatar
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From: Soddy Daisy TN
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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Top two are close to the same but one has a rebuildable end and the other rubber one is not. Difference between fixed and adjustable is pretty self explanitory. One you put them in and there they are, the other you can adjust caster for better steering and pinion angles.
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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 08:09 PM
  #3  
freegdr's Avatar
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From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
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going with adjustable arm with factory bushing ,the bushing can be bought local when need replaceing is a plushttp://www.rustysoffroad.com/suspens...r-arms-tj.html
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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 10:44 PM
  #4  
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From: Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline Six
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So is there much gain/benefit from the adjustable and flex vs just adjustable?
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 06:32 AM
  #5  
2KXJJEEP's Avatar
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From: KY
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
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iv had both and i hate flex joint's they wear out fast and they are loud going down the raod the rubber one are alot better and smoother and very easy to replace...i have the bottom to from rustys

Last edited by 2KXJJEEP; Mar 7, 2012 at 06:36 AM.
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 06:36 AM
  #6  
wmatt182003's Avatar
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From: High Point
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6, 4.0 HO
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I would definitely go with flex. The curve on the ARM gives u more play when installing and more travel on the trail. With the straight arm it will probably hit the axle if you flex to much. Look at your factory lowers and there will probably be a slight bend where it has banged the axle before. You don't need to replace your upper arms with a 4.5" lift.
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 08:24 AM
  #7  
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From: SLC, Utah
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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They are all Junk ! I would not touch any rustys products after my experiences with their parts on other Jeep's I've owned and customer service trying to get them to warranty broken parts due to their ****ty workmanship !

If you looking at control arms spend some money on something decent, Keep in mind when it comes to suspension you get what you pay for !

Currie Enterprises:
http://www.currieenterprises.com/ces...es.aspx?id=881

Rokmen:
http://www.rokmen.com/suspension/con...ehicle_type=40

TNT Customs :
http://www.tntcustoms.com/suspension...prings/XJ.aspx

Clayton Offroad
http://claytonoffroad.com/index.php/cPath/18_69
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 10:25 AM
  #8  
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From: Oregon
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline Six
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I only have to replace the lower arms and not the upper? Good news to hear but why not the uppers? sorry for all the questions. Ill take a look at those other links. I didnt know there were horror stories about rusty's products.
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 11:07 AM
  #9  
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From: High Point
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6, 4.0 HO
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I ran factory upper arms on 5.5" for a couple years with no issues. Went from 5.5" to 8.5" longarm kit. Check out Rough Country. I know they're products were less than great at one time but now they are about the best price I found without losing quality. That's what I've ran on my XJ for the past 5 yrs.
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 12:10 PM
  #10  
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From: KY
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
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Originally Posted by wmatt182003
I would definitely go with flex. The curve on the ARM gives u more play when installing and more travel on the trail. With the straight arm it will probably hit the axle if you flex to much. Look at your factory lowers and there will probably be a slight bend where it has banged the axle before. You don't need to replace your upper arms with a 4.5" lift.
y u say u dont need to change the upper at 4.5" if u what ur lift to ride and flex rite u would change both upper and lowers plus ur stocks r so weak it isnt even funny...and he's not asking bout the bend in the arm he's asking about the flex joint or rubber joints

Last edited by 2KXJJEEP; Mar 7, 2012 at 12:22 PM.
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 12:26 PM
  #11  
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From: KY
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L6
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and iv only heard bad stuff bout rustys trac bar breaking....what did u have break TOM95YJ i cant say much bout there stuff bc im only running there upper & lower control arms and rough country everything else and so fare so good
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 01:48 PM
  #12  
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From: High Point
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I-6, 4.0 HO
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My apologies. The curved arm would be considered high clearance. The only rusty's that I have is the 1 1/2 heavy wall tierod and that sexy lil blonde pinup girl on the back glass.
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Old May 12, 2020 | 11:34 PM
  #13  
EvanM's Avatar
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From: Idaho
Year: 89
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: Peddles
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Also a straight arm will flex the same as a curved arm.

these are inexpensive enough you could just about buy new arms every time bushings wear out.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/rough-co...angler-tj-1071
Wouldn't it be bad *** to cut the frame side off and glue a 1.25 heim on it.
I wonder what the tube size wall thicknesses is.
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