I have a theory that if one had control arms with heim joints at either end instead of the stock setup, even at stock length you would get better articulation before binding. First off tell me if that's dumb. Second, I have seen a few aftermarket sets like that but they run upwards of 350 bucks. They use like 2" tubing and weld in tapped adapters for 1.25" joints. I have some one inch solid 4130 hex stock and can get hands on 3/4" heim joints for 15 bucks a pop, machine em to the right length and tap holes in the ends for the heim joints. Now my thought is that being solid stock it will be more than strong enough and a 3/4" joint seems like it should hold fine but I'm hoping to get thoughts on if that's big enough of a joint or not. Thanks in advance.

 

putting heims on both sides of the control arms isn't to help with binding, it's to add strength. and also to eliminate crappy bushings that wear out all the time

also, your control arms aren't the things that are going to cause your front axle to bind up. you've got steering, track bar, and whatever other stock items that are still left.

I do prefer a larger heim. 7/8 would be my bare minimum. but I'm a little overkill. I think if the stock stamped steal holds up to abuse then 3/4 heims should be fine. however, bushings do absorb some of the shock that goes through your jeep. so if you put heims all around then that shock will be moved somewhere else. most likely to the next point next to the arms. which are the mounts. be warned, the axle side will tear off if you're not careful.

if you've got the ability and material (holy **** where are you getting $15 heims?!?) then I would just build a long arm straight out the gate.

 

I agree. All that time and expense would be better directed towards long arms.

But atmos, I think he's talking about stock lengths of arms on stock height.

 

if you're going to use 3/4" heims for control arms they better be good ones, not the $15 a pop ones. And what you describe (1" solid hex and 3/4" heims) is better suited for upper control arms, not lowers. Lowers i'd use a minimum of 1 1/2" .25 DOM and a 1.25" joint

 

oh damn. I didn't even notice it was only 1" hex haha



abort this mission till you can do it right OP. theres a good reason why the aftermarket links cost so much and a good reason why people pay for it. they're set up right with quality parts, depending on which brand. I recommend just paying for a kit

 

Alright haha ill wait till I got money to do some long arms that'll actually help. Just figured why not ask about using what I already have laying around haha.