Control arms
Former Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 1
From: Oceanside - san diego, Ca.
Technically you can add long arms, one pair at a time, most will require new weld in brackets and removal of the old ones.
I would start with the uppers if that is the route you want to go. You could also just go with a 3 link front and rear set up and delete two of the arms. You would want to install new mount on the front axle as well as needing a strong bridge on the rear axle.
I would not wheel anything that is going to require lots of articulation due to the funky geometry you are going to have at the extreme ends of your flex. You will get a lot of pinion angle change with arms that have a large amount of length differences.
Ideally you want the upper arms to be at least 80% the length of the lowers when you are done with the set up.
I would start with the uppers if that is the route you want to go. You could also just go with a 3 link front and rear set up and delete two of the arms. You would want to install new mount on the front axle as well as needing a strong bridge on the rear axle.
I would not wheel anything that is going to require lots of articulation due to the funky geometry you are going to have at the extreme ends of your flex. You will get a lot of pinion angle change with arms that have a large amount of length differences.
Ideally you want the upper arms to be at least 80% the length of the lowers when you are done with the set up.
Could be wrong and based on his doing this over a while he'd be stuck on the road till he does it comp.eye on one end or the other....
That's the only reason I posted do 1 end at a time....
Btw I still need to call you been gone for almost 3 weeks since kids got out of school......haven't had a chance to slow down till this last Thursday lol.....man kids need to go back to school so I can get a break....
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: California
Ok so based on this advice I think I'll just save up and do the complete front and rear when I can. As a follow up question would you guys recomend a 3 link rear. I know rubicon express used radius arms for there long arm set up so which will provide more articulation radius arm or 3 link.
JK Jedi
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,222
Likes: 376
From: Southwest Reno, NV
Control arms do not limit articulation. A three link will bind less then a 4 link will but set up properly you should not see much difference between the two.
click on this link, My thoughts on lifts -A Must Read if your getting one it may help you understand your suspension a bit better.
click on this link, My thoughts on lifts -A Must Read if your getting one it may help you understand your suspension a bit better.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From: California
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
No such thing. They either use the factory mounts or they don't. The JK comes with fairly long arms stock, compare to a TJ for reference. The reason to go with long arms is a better ride not more flex, although spring rates and shock valving affect ride more anyway.
When getting advice about this stuff consider whether the poster is trying to sell you something or not. On another thread one told a guy he needed front control arms to set pinion angle and fix caster. What's wrong with that picture?
When getting advice about this stuff consider whether the poster is trying to sell you something or not. On another thread one told a guy he needed front control arms to set pinion angle and fix caster. What's wrong with that picture?
JK Super Freak
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 0
From: Grant Florida
The joint in the arm can and do add a lot of flex overall. I have a rubicon express 3 1/2 super-flex its a "mid-arm" or short arm what ever you like to call it. It has hymn and Johnny joints. My buddy has a basic RE 3 1/2 lift on a RTV ramp I scored a 965 and he scored a 620 that score is based on wheel base full wheel base is a 1000. We both have JKUs. There is some useful info there but don't drink the koolaid just yet. It just another person saying why their way is better with no true facts backing it up. Factory arms with rubber bushing can not and will not flex as well as hymn or Johnny joints. If you do put any kind of a lift with out adjustable arms you are changing your driveline angles and castor. And giving yourself many more headaches and hits to your pocketbook in the long run.
Last edited by JKingAround; Jul 15, 2013 at 05:53 PM.