tj front and rear control arms

ABES-XJ

New Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2009
Location
morganton nc
i was wondering how much longer the contol arms need to be when you have a 4 inch lift. i found a set of front and back uppers for pretty cheap. but there only 5/8 inch longer. is that enuff?
 
i guess it would help for someone to explain to me just what happens when you upgrade control arms. if i knoew that maybe i would understand a lil better what i need. im new to this and tryin to learn some stuff.
 
arms

some are fixed and someare adjustable which allows you to correct your axles pinion angle

plus they are probably alot stronger than the stock ones ...ive found all mine used but all still in really good shape
 
When my 4in lift was installed it kept the stock uppers and put longer lowers on. If you intall fixed uppers you might throw pinion angle off (if it isnt already). I installed adjustable uppers to adjust pinion angle.
 
When you get upgraded arms IMO I wouldn't buy a fixed arm. Things change and you need the adjustable ones to account for it. If you decide that a 4inch lift is too much and go to a 3 then the arms would need to be adjusted. Same thing if you decided to go higher, Though I would not suggest going any higher on short arms.

The control arms do a couple things when it comes to the suspension. Depending on the set up, But in your case the lowers position the axle squarely under the front of the jeep. The uppers set your caster and pinion angle. The trackbar keeps the axle positioned side to side.

So in reality when you lift your jeep and use the stock arms your wheel base shortens, Moving the frame higher by installing longer springs, moves the frame mount higher which makes the arm more vertical, the key is to keep these as level as possible. Look at a stock setup next time you get a chance and look at how level the arms are, This why people install long arms, moving the mount back allows for less angle on the arm.


Making the arms longer or adjusting them out allows you to help correct this. Best thing to do is get the adjustable and set them so the front tire is center of the wheel well when at ride height, Then set the caster, and hope pinion angle is ok.
 
There are several types of arms with different type of ends

Ones with Flex joints are the better ones, Flex Joints (Johnny Joint, Ballistic Joint, RE joint and So on)

These have a flex joint on one end with and bushing on the other, You adjust the flex joint in or out to adjust the arm

RoughCou.jpg


These have bushings on both ends, And adjustable in the middle

tj_extras-adj-arms.jpg


Really its just a matter of how much you want to spend, The flex joints are a much better way to go, but you pay of it.
 
i got me a set of rear upper adju from iorn man 4x4. they have a semi flex joint. not really but works the same way. i got them for 120 bucks. solid steel polly bush w/ grease vains and greese fitting. there pretty sweet for the money. the guy from ironman andy is pretty cool to.
 
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