I have a bent lower control arm on the driver’s side that I need to replace. Money is tight, so I don’t want to spend money on an upgrade that doesn’t really do me much good. Are adjustable lower control arms worth it? It seems like adjustable upper control arms make a big difference, but if I’m only replacing the lower control arms does it matter? If it does, which brands do you recommend?

 

Are you running any lift? Adjustable lower control arms allow you to dial your caster back to stock spec after lifting. If you are at stock height, or just a small leveling kit, I would personally look for a stock take-off in good shape. Should be pretty easy to find a set...doubt you will find just the side you need.

 

I have a 4 inch lift and am on 35 inch tires.

 

look for a factory take off, there are thousands of these arms laying around in shops and peoples garages. Facebook, Craigslist are good places to put out free ads for what you need.

 

presumably we're talking about the front here and not the rears. +1 on what Cartoscro said above. If you have all 4 control arms you place the axle with the front lowers and adjust caster with the front uppers, but you can just use the front lowers to adjust caster if you have no or a small lift. Back in the day when the JK was still in production you cold probably find take off factory arms for free on bout any street corner. It's harder these days. I'd just try to find a cheap replacement arm if money is tight cuz any good adjustable lower set is likely around $300-350.

 

Which lift? And what form of Caster Correction is currently installed? (with that size lift, it's a good bet something is there for the caster...)

Removing a set of longer aftermarket lower arms and replacing with a set of shorter take-off lower arms might give some handling quirks. Or if you have cams, you might consider removing them and doing something about the holes before new adjustable arms go on. Or, if this was part of an accident, was anything else damaged, like a bracket maybe? Anyway, just a suggestion not to slap new parts on without looking at the bigger picture.

 

With a 4" lift you'll likely need caster correction, so yes...longer arms are needed. All 8 IMO.

 

some pictures might help all of us understand what you're working with.

 

Dirtman and Resharp are on the right but I don't even think you need take-offs. AC Delco makes them, and they are on rock for $20-$30 per arm. I think you can do all 8 for around $200.

 

If you need stock lowers Check Rockauto. The oe ones are dirt cheap as mentioned above. You can get the lowers for $30 each. Uppers for $25.