Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: NS-jeeper on June 18, 2006, 10:45:54 AM

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: NS-jeeper on June 18, 2006, 10:45:54 AM

What are the advantages of using longer control arms, and when should someone switch to them? Do you have to switch upper and lower at the same time?

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: WagoneerXJ on June 18, 2006, 01:21:30 PM

You can get away with stock arms at 3" of lift. Any more than that and you need longer aftermarket ones to keep the axle in the right place, and to give you some articulation. Most people don't change uppers till 5" or bigger...

 I just went to 5" and swapped in some Rusty's LCA's  8)

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: NS-jeeper on June 20, 2006, 12:26:05 PM

I'll have aprox. 4.5-5" of lift so I should change my lower and not the upper? What about adjustable vs. non adjustable any thoughts?

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: BlackYJ on June 20, 2006, 12:46:12 PM

Are you talking "Long Arms" or just "Longer Short Arms" like the stock ones?

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: NS-jeeper on June 20, 2006, 03:50:32 PM

whats the difference?

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: SwampSinger on June 20, 2006, 04:38:46 PM

Quote from: "NS-jeeper"

whats the difference?

This is a long arm kit by RockCrawler for an XJ

(http://www.hoyboyz.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/Belisle,_Dan_01.JPG)

Or for a ZJ

(http://www.hoyboyz.com/Quickstart/ImageLib/WJ_35s.gif)

These were from www.hoyboyz.com.

In my understanding ... it gives you more flex without having the control arms binding where they attach to the front axle (correct me if i'm wrong).

Don't worry about long arm kit until you go 7 or 8 " of lift... (6" and lower.. you are ok with the short lower (adjustable) control arm). It is if you want to go with that option at the time.

You probably have 3" lift and a spacer. I had that set up before on my XJ and I had to change my lower control arm to 16" long ones (I kept my stock upper control arm).

I have some 16" Skyjacker non ajustable lower control arm . If you think of going bigger lsometime later might as well go with at least some adjustable ones.

Let me know if you are intrested in my 16" S.J. LCA.... I can bring them to the meeting tomorrow and we can talk $$ while having a brewski  8) .

Cheers

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: NS-jeeper on June 20, 2006, 05:11:31 PM

Sky jacker is probably out of my price range, I was thinging about these:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Jeep-TJ-ZJ-XJ-Lower-Adjustable-Control-Arms_W0QQitemZ7961968192QQcategoryZ33583QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: SwampSinger on June 20, 2006, 05:19:11 PM

Quote from: "NS-jeeper"

Sky jacker is probably out of my price range, I was thinging about these:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Jeep-TJ-ZJ-XJ-Lower-Adjustable-Control-Arms_W0QQitemZ7961968192QQcategoryZ33583QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Mine are not ajustable.... they are 16" lond and I have to check about the bushings if they are still ok. It will work for 5" lift.

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: cablesmurf on June 20, 2006, 07:26:07 PM

Okay, since my Jeep was pictured, I will jump in here.

There are a number of reasons to upgrade to Long arms..

1 - The ride will be greatly improved due to the control arms being closer to the stock angles. (on a stock Jeep, the control arms are very close to parallel with the frame/unibody. When you lift it, they start to angle downwards, thus making the ride more harsh, causes more stress on the control arm bushings and, eventually wearing them out which I've found out from personal experience, will cause death wobble.

2 - More flex, and less stress on the frame/unibody

3 - It is easier to dial in you suspension with long arms and prevent death wobble.

4 - "Cause all the cool kids are doing it".  :P

Title: XJ Control arms
Post by: NS-jeeper on June 20, 2006, 09:14:32 PM

So swamp singer what kinda price range am I looking at for the S.J. ones.

PM me