hi All-

Looking to pick up a set of medium duty front LCA's but unsure which to get.

When offroad I rarely see large boulders, but do see a some downed trees, stumps and solid dirt apexes.

Which do you guys recommend? I see Rusty's out there for about $200 and that's right in my price range.


Also, is there a write up on LCA installation procedures? I've seen all the full suspension installs, but would like to see one targeted directly at only the LCA install. The other write ups have the entire front suspension apart (springs, track bar, etc., and I cant seem to find a set of install instructions in the regular places like quadratec and 4wd.

thanks!!

 

Just make sure what ever brand you choose doesn't have a history of problems with the bushings. The front LCAs are subject to higher cyclical loads than most of the other CAs.

 

Yep, I saw those DIY's, but I was wondering if I needed to do any of the steps before the actual LCA removal part.

The entire procedure doesnt seem that difficult to me, yet both qtec and 4wd rate this at 3 wrenches (out of 4), and estimate 1-3 hours of work. So I'm thinking that I'm missing something very large in what I believe is the installation procedure.

Here's what I think needs to happen:
- Jack up the front and put up on jack stands
- keep a jack and smaller jack stands under the pumpkin and axle
- replace LCA's

Here are my questions:
- Do I have to remove the tires?
- Do I have to unbolt the shock or remove the spring? I'm guessing not, but thinking that the pressure from the spring will move things around therefore making it difficult lining up the bolt holes on the new LCA.
- Do I have to remove anything else bolted to the axle? For example, track bar
- What do I use to keep everything in place so that the pressure of the springs doesnt move the axle forward/back?

Any other tips? Hell, do I even need to jack the truck up???

 

Yes david at northridge has a big sale going on now with taraflex!!!!!!! https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/sponsoring-manufacturers-vendors-check-out-cyber-monday-specials-24/teraflex-sale-107857/

 

I've onbolted my LCA's to grease the fittings without a jack or stands. I did them one at a time. But even doing this the axle rotated and I had to use a tie down and pull the axle back to the correct location to get things bolted up. So it is possible.

Thinking back to putting the whole lift on, I had the jeep on jack stands and I had to rest the front axle on jack stands (with wheels off) because with the different lenght arms then stock, I used my floor jack to rotate the axle to make the arms fit on. I would still suggest one at a time, so the springs don't push the axle around too much.

 

But Quadratec and 4wd also rate installing a speaker as 2 wrenches...

 

when i did mine, jacked up from pumpkin, put jack stands under frame, lowered jack.. changed them one at a time. the axle didnt budge for me but since your prob going to be installing the lowers adjusted longer than stock, there a bit of a pain to get the bolts in.

personally, I would go Curry or Clayton. those companies are known for making awesome arms.

I went Currie and love them. (They have johnnie joints at both ends, slightly harsher than stock but boy do they flex.)

 

TERAFLEX = SOLID

 

Wow thanks for all the replies! Sounds like a hour project with a few beers

 

I have the Teraflex lowers and like them.