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MyNameIsJerry

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
How do you feel about fixed lower control arms on a ZJ?

I know some consider it a waste, since lift heights change so much, and the arms can't. My feeling is this. I'm at 3.5" now, and I've got some 1" spacers I'd really like to throw in. I don't really even want to attempt 4.5" on stock arms, so I was looking into aftermarket control arms. If I were going to stay at 4.5", for at least a year or two, would there be any disadvantage to using fixed arms to set everything right for 4.5". Rusty's has sets of fixed lowers for something like $140 a pair. So for all 4 lowers I'd be paying less than the price of 2 JKS adjustable lowers. I assume I'd need adjustable uppers though for alignment purposes. Am I right in this thinking? Good idea? Bad idea? Who makes the best fixed arms?

I know the rule of thumb is save up and do it right, but I'd like to save up for long arms, and this would just be an inbetween step, not worth the investment of all new high quality arms, you know what I mean?
 
#2 ·
I run fixed lowers on my 95. It is a pro-comp 3 inch lift with pucks on top. I am running the factory uppers. With this combo I have run poison spider mesa in Moab. The only prob that I had to address was the axles not being centered. I put and adj front track bar up front and a relocater in the rear. If you plan on getting a long arm kit soon, I wouldn't want to spend the cash. If you really want to do it, I would try to find some used lowers.
 
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#3 ·
I run Rustys fixed uppers and lowers in my 93. My axle did shift forward, which sucks, as its also rotated downward. My shock mounts on the axle end, with my 3.5" of lift, im able to put about a finger and a half between the lower control arms and the shock mount bracket on the lower arms. Upper arms that are adjustable would be GREAT. It would help rotate the axle forward, thus givin me better drive line angles. I my self, did this since my factory arms were shot, at least the bushings were and i had a bad case of death wobble. I also plan on building a long arm kit here in the next yr, and i just put these short arms on back in July. Personally, if i could have afforded the adjustable uppers, i would have done that, but i was on a budget and my arms wernt part of my original purchase price. Having 4 solid arms is nice, knowin you wont have them be outta wack. But bad cuz i cant adjust any thing, and mine needs a lotta adjustment. So take your pick. Run with what you got, go with 4 fixed, or do a combo of 2 fixed and 2 adjustable or do all 4 adjustable. My votes go for the 2 fixed lowers and 2 adjustable uppers. Hope this helps.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Also, I wouldn't exactly say I'm getting long arms soon. It's gonna be probably 2 years, maybe more. I'd like to give the drivetrain some serious attention before I go to long arms.

Right now, I've got adjustable track bars, front and rear. 3.5" springs all around. Going to be ordering some discos soon. OME steering stabilizer. Extended bumpstops. All that good stuff. Just looking to gain another inch, get a little more clearance for the tires.

1993GrandZJin, how do you like the Rusty's arms. The price can't be beat. About how much longer are yours than stock? Thanks!

Right now I'd like to do fixed lowers, adjustable uppers.
 
#6 ·
I told Rustys i have a 3.5" lift. They do make there arms pretty beefy, as i first orderd only the lowers and my shock tabs ended up hittin the arms and was riding on them. I didnt drive it like that, other then maybe around the block. I did already take off the powder coating when the shock tabs hit the arms. Overall the weight is about double the stock arms. If i could do it again, i would get the fixed still for the lowers and then some adjustables for the uppers, to help bring the pinion angle back up some. Also, if you dont have the alignment shims, you wont be able to get a caster alignment. I was only able to get my toe in/out fixed. I think right now im at some thing like 8 degrees caster?? (tires pushed farther forward more then stock). I think in all my upper arms are about an inch to inch and a half, maybe two inches longer then stock, its not much, but it made the differance. Hope that helps for you.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
Just trying to get a game plan together in my head. So, if I went with Rusty's fixed lowers, all around, built for 4.5", what would be a good, affordable, set of adjustable uppers? Ideally I'd like to get JKS, but I just don't have that kind of money. What are you guys running?
 
#9 ·
I have a Tuff Country 3.5 with 2 inch pucks.......I went with the Tuff country fixed lowers but upgraded to a Terra Flex upper front and rear. I love my lift. I've had it between 3 and 4 years now. Don't forget to get extended shocks and a new steering dampener!! I went with Pro comp Explorer shocks that were stock application plus 6 inches from 4 Wheel parts. They ended up being a Full Size GM application with like 2 or 4 inch lift. I'll try and find my receipt with the part numbers if you're interested.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
So you're running Tuff Country 3.5" fixed lowers with 5.5" of lift? What size tires? Somebody had a set of those arms for sale, but I wasn't sure if they would be any good for 4.5" of lift. Pictures would be great if you have them. Thanks.
 
#11 ·
Most of the fixed arms I've seen out there were the same length as the stock arms. They look a heck of a lot better and maybe a bit stronger but in most cases not really longer. Measure your stock ones from bolt to bolt then compair with the lengths of the ones on the market. You might even have to call the company you're looking at for this info but it's not usually listed on the sites.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Preppi12, from what I've been seeing that holds true. I've also heard that some are only marginally longer, less than an inch in come cases, but it helps. Thanks for the input. Does anybody have a comparison of some aftremarket lengths and the stock lengths?
 
#13 ·
The Tuff country fixed lowers are less than an inch longer with beefier bushings and a lot more steel!! I'll get some pictures loaded online here soon. I'm running 33x12.50R15 Nitto Terra Grapplers.
 
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WildCOZJ
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