Front Control Arm Geometry
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
Front Control Arm Geometry
AEV recently released their geometry correction front control arm brackets:
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16502_4300.htm
Rancho's Sport Lift has always included similar (but 1 piece) control arm lowering brackets:
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16031_30X_A_PG.htm
Besides lower arm bracket clearance over rocks, are there any other down-sides to these brackets?
Is there an advantage to using these brackets versus putting in adjustment cams? I heard the cams don't hold castor very well over time (and bumps).
Both manufactures claim better ride over bumps from reduced control arm angle. I know replacing the control arms with adjustable ones is the optimal solution but, I don;t want to spend over $2k. (In fact with current Rancho $500 rebate I can get their lift kit with RS9000XL shocks for just over $600.)
Anyone have experience with either or both arm lowering brackets?
Cheers!
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16502_4300.htm
Rancho's Sport Lift has always included similar (but 1 piece) control arm lowering brackets:
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16031_30X_A_PG.htm
Besides lower arm bracket clearance over rocks, are there any other down-sides to these brackets?
Is there an advantage to using these brackets versus putting in adjustment cams? I heard the cams don't hold castor very well over time (and bumps).
Both manufactures claim better ride over bumps from reduced control arm angle. I know replacing the control arms with adjustable ones is the optimal solution but, I don;t want to spend over $2k. (In fact with current Rancho $500 rebate I can get their lift kit with RS9000XL shocks for just over $600.)
Anyone have experience with either or both arm lowering brackets?
Cheers!
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Both are very popular, and a quick search will bring up lots of info on them. I haven't seen a direct comparison between just the CA brackets, but for the price difference on the complete lifts, I would definitely go with rancho. Why spend an extra thousand dollars for a bunch of brackets?
Other than the loss of ground clearance, the big negative to me would be the complete lack of adjustability. Add bumpers/winch/tire carrier/etc, you lose an inch of height, your caster changes, and you have no way to set it. Same with adding coil spacers for a little more height. And then there is pinion angle. How do you adjust it when you swap your factory driveshafts for aftermarket double cardans? (you can't...)
You will get a lot of positive reviews from people that have these lifts, just food for thought.
Other than the loss of ground clearance, the big negative to me would be the complete lack of adjustability. Add bumpers/winch/tire carrier/etc, you lose an inch of height, your caster changes, and you have no way to set it. Same with adding coil spacers for a little more height. And then there is pinion angle. How do you adjust it when you swap your factory driveshafts for aftermarket double cardans? (you can't...)
You will get a lot of positive reviews from people that have these lifts, just food for thought.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, FL
The purpose of the brackets and adjustable control arms are not the same. The brackets are designed to change the geometry of the lower arms putting them at a similar angle of a long arm.
As for loss of clearance, I've never had an issue.
As for loss of clearance, I've never had an issue.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Bentonville,arkansas
I installed AEV 3.5 on my 2011 Rubicon and didn't do steering kit at first. After bump steer etc...I installed AEV steer kit, and its awesome. I was amazed at the bushings that were wearing already before I did steer kit. Scary!! No loss of clearance.