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How to choose control arms

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Old 07-22-2012, 02:44 AM
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Default How to choose control arms

I want to upgrade my control arms to adjustable short arms. So far I have read info from many companies and all have differents features.

Are any of this features better than the others to choose a particular arm?

the arms can rotate
Made of solid steel
Bushing at both sides
Johnny Joints at both sides
Bushing in one end and JJ in the other
LA bended.
Old 07-22-2012, 01:22 PM
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I have the adjustable control arms with a bushing on the frame side and a JJ on the axle. They ride a lot better than my stock ones and the flex is better thanks to the JJ. I have the ones from rough country and its nice incase I want to go higher I can adjust them and keep on rollin.
Old 07-22-2012, 01:32 PM
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I've got currie adjustables, the same they run in jeepspeed...JJ at both ends, I've beat the SNOT out them, never rebuilt them in 5 years...and could probably go for another few years with out a rebuild, I'm very satisfied to say the least...but they are expensive...
Old 07-22-2012, 01:58 PM
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I'm in the same boat.

Looking at my nonadjustable RE arms, I can also see they are angled downwards, which is not good geometry (needs to be parallel to the road). So looking for a lower relocation kit as well.

I've looked at the RC stuff, both relocation kit and arms. Price is right but reputation is not. So checking on arms from RE, JKS and others...
Old 07-22-2012, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by yarom
I'm in the same boat.

Looking at my nonadjustable RE arms, I can also see they are angled downwards, which is not good geometry (needs to be parallel to the road). So looking for a lower relocation kit as well.

I've looked at the RC stuff, both relocation kit and arms. Price is right but reputation is not. So checking on arms from RE, JKS and others...
The RC drops are good. The only advice I have is on the support bracket, it uses self tapper screws. Take those out and use a nut and bolt instead.
Old 07-22-2012, 03:29 PM
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Originally Posted by yarom
I'm in the same boat.

Looking at my nonadjustable RE arms, I can also see they are angled downwards, which is not good geometry (needs to be parallel to the road). So looking for a lower relocation kit as well.

I've looked at the RC stuff, both relocation kit and arms. Price is right but reputation is not. So checking on arms from RE, JKS and others...
The main similar/differences:

RE - rebuildable spherical bearing
Currie/IronMan4x4 - Johnny Joints (IronMan are solid steel)
BDS/JKS - bushing and rotating

I like the idea of drop brackets to build some kind of 'middle' control arm:

RC
RE

Until now I have preferences for Currie/IronMan but I'd like to know if the rotating feature of JKS are a nice to have thing.
Old 07-22-2012, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Outlaw Star

The RC drops are good. The only advice I have is on the support bracket, it uses self tapper screws. Take those out and use a nut and bolt instead.
X2...very stout product, and I totally agree with the nut and bolt thing
Old 07-22-2012, 05:44 PM
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I have RC adjustables with a flex joint on one end and a poly joint on the other. They work great for 2 months till the joints **** the bed
Old 07-22-2012, 06:37 PM
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Your getting adj. Arms, and drop brackets? The long arm up grade from RC is the same price why not go la?
Old 07-22-2012, 10:59 PM
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Originally Posted by cherokee90
Your getting adj. Arms, and drop brackets? The long arm up grade from RC is the same price why not go la?
In this case the price is not the first constraint (more or less), is the configuration. I haven't seen any LA configuration here and I don't want to be the first. For the kind of trails I wheel, I think I don't need LAs. The drop brackets would be just to make the ride not too harsh, not a must have actually. I left some brands (Rough Country for example) out of the list after reading many things about it. Perhaps is 'good-enough' for me but just in case prefer to spend more money and build it well the first time. I don't need to innovate
Old 07-22-2012, 11:05 PM
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the only downside to the rc arms is there flex joints suck. i have a month and a half on my longarm kit and the bushings wore out. i called and they are sending me a replacement set for free and they said it is typically not installed correctly when they wear out so fast.
Old 07-22-2012, 11:51 PM
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I would lean towards ironman arms they are solid and you can have them with jj's bushings or both and the bend in the arms will allow more drop than straight arms and so will some cutting
Old 07-23-2012, 12:11 AM
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buy used arms off of craigslist or skip it and get long arms.
Old 07-23-2012, 01:01 AM
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Originally Posted by Kuro89
I would lean towards ironman arms they are solid and you can have them with jj's bushings or both and the bend in the arms will allow more drop than straight arms and so will some cutting
I'm between Currie and Ironman. I guess the Currie lower arms that are specific for XJ having one of the end not centered seek the same purpose, is that correct?

The TJ/MJ/XJ, etc:

http://www.currieenterprises.com/ces...t.aspx?id=1074

The specific por XJ:

http://www.currieenterprises.com/ces...t.aspx?id=3501
Old 07-23-2012, 01:07 AM
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Which ever you choose they are both great options and leagues better than stock


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