mfpdm Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Well I picked up WJ control arms today at the JY. Was an 04 that got t-bone by something big. Barely could recognize it as a Jeep. :eek: Lowers Uppers I know all about the lower ones and have been on the fence about using them sereral times, but what about the uppers. I thought I remembered a thread on them not to long ago, but can't find it. Compared to stock uppers, I would say they are stronger but other than that, is there any benefits? It would appear that they would allow the same motion as stock ones without any rubbing or limiting factors. Maybe more drop but I wouldn't think any more up travel. Also, I was looking at the WJ swaybar. That thing is a beast. It even looks bigger than the ZJ one. I measured the mounting points and compared it to the MJ and everything comes out good with the exception of the mounting holes in the frame. The MJ's are about 3 inch apart and the WJ is about 4 inches. There is another hole on the MJ frame one inch behind the rear bolt so I think that would work with minor modding. The swaybar links are a good 3 inches longer than the stock MJs and the swaybar sets about 1 to 1 1/2 inches lower from the frame. This would be perfect or very close to perfect for the 4.5 inch of lift I have. The WJ one also turns the upper link connecting point vertical. So has anyone tried the WJ swaybar with it's stock hardware? :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 The WJ sway bar is shaped differently, it won't fit without major modification. Just grab a V8 ZJ bar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperWade2 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 The WJ sway bar is shaped differently, it won't fit without major modification. Just grab a V8 ZJ bar As if they are just laying arround at the Pik-n-Pulls...I've never seen one in the JY in the 10 or so trips that i've been to 4 or 5 local JY's... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfpackjeeper Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 The WJ lowers will work well as a tubular control arm. You will have slightly less flex than a stock setup, but you may not even notice. They will be stiffer than the stock u shaped ones, therefore not being able to twist as much. That being said, I have a fresh painted set to use on my comanche alongside the fresh painted rear zj coils. I am hoping to firm up the handling on my street MJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I've seen a ton a v8 zj's in yards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperWade2 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 I've seen a ton a v8 zj's in yards I think J&W wreckers in Sacramento buys every Jeep newer than 1990 and older than 1986in NorCal, so the local yards get all of the junk XJ's between there and that's pretty much it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 The WJ sway bar is shaped differently, it won't fit without major modification. Just grab a V8 ZJ bar Don't take this the wrong way, but is your comment based on you have tried this and it would not work or just by observation. True it is a different shape. However, the measurements from frame mount to frame mount are the same as the MJs as well as the measurement from the link mounts on the axle. The center of the swaybar turns down as the MJs does. I looked it over pretty good and took the different shape into consideration. I don't believe any mods would have to be done to accomadate the differences in shape, only the before mentioned mounting holes. The links have a bend in them that off sets them which would correct for the vertical link mount on top. The only thing I didn't measure now that I think about it is the distance from the bend to the end where the link mounts but looking at it, it looked ok. Oh and Wade, there was I think 3 ZJs at the jy today. :brows: :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Uppers but what about the uppers. I thought I remembered a thread on them not to long ago, but can't find it. Compared to stock uppers, I would say they are stronger but other than that, is there any benefits? It would appear that they would allow the same motion as stock ones without any rubbing or limiting factors. Maybe more drop but I wouldn't think any more up travel.:cheers: I asked that same question about WJ upper arms, but am not sure on which forum. Think it was here, and the answer I received was that the WJ uppers will not work, and it made sense. But I can't find it either. :nuts: I used WJ lowers to get rid of full turn tire rubbing, and the larger bushings really improved handling. I do remember though that the ZJ and XJ/MJ uppers were the same. BTW Chief, what are the WJ upper center-to-center bolt hole measurements, and does the curve face up or down? :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperWade2 Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Oh and Wade, there was I think 3 ZJs at the jy today. :brows: :cheers: I guess I get rust free floor pans and frames and you get a better selection at the Pik-n-Pull :dunno: :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 Oh and Wade, there was I think 3 ZJs at the jy today. :brows: :cheers: I guess I get rust free floor pans and frames and you get a better selection at the Pik-n-Pull :dunno: :cheers: You win :bowdown: I'd take a factory looking floor pan over good parts selection any day. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 BTW Chief, what are the WJ upper center-to-center bolt hole measurements, and does the curve face up or down? :cheers: Bolt to bolt is the same as our MJs. The curve faces down. It's a tubular design like the lowers with the exception of the open end on the axle side. The curve brings it closer to the axle, but unless you stuffed your tire farther than it should go anyway, it should be fine. I've got control arm drop brackets so the stock lengths are good for me. Oh, the TJs have the same control arms as the MJs and the others. It's amazing that Jeep used them for so long. Side by side with the stock(Actually my stock ones are from my TJ, but again they are the same as the MJs were). Crappy pic but you can see they are the same from bolt to bolt. Bottom side :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted March 22, 2009 Share Posted March 22, 2009 Thanks. Looks like they will add some stability, keep caster the same, and I suspect the bushings are stouter than the stock MJ uppers, as are the bushings in the WJ lowers. You planning to install them for a smoke test? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted March 22, 2009 Author Share Posted March 22, 2009 The bushings will have less miles on them but I'm pretty sure they are the same as our stock ones. I might put them on the 86 for awhile, but the 88 has a lot of work before it's on the road. :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 Well, I went back out the JY today and the one measurement that I forgot to take on the sway bar turn out to be critical. From the bend to the link it was about 13 inches vs the stock MJ at about 10. I still think it could work maybe if you move the WJ mount so that the rear bolt would be in the front bolt hole in the frame of the MJ. I really don't have the time to play with that theory or the money, so maybe later. Hey Wade, I got some really good parts today. :brows: :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comanche09 Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 Thought I'd revive this old thread as I just got done trying to install the WJ upper arms. I had to trim (dremel cut) a small 1/2" x 1.5" of sheet metal under the body bucket mount on the inboard side in order allow the arm to articulate down. Due to the arms' downward curve, the bottom of the arm was contacting. At nearly full down travel, the bottom or the arm then contacts the bottom of the body mount bucket itself, but only a small amount (maybe 1/4" off the lip) would need to be shaved in order for it to fit. I too thought the dimensions eye-to-eye were the same... At least to the eyeball test, they looked the same. So after going nuts trying to get the mounting bolts to fit :fs1: I pulled the arm out measured, and found that the WJ dimension is actually about 1/4" shorter... Unless there is a reason to run slightly short upper arms (is there? or would it be a bad thing? (w/o lift of course)) This is a no go. :doh: :wall: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfpdm Posted October 24, 2009 Author Share Posted October 24, 2009 Interesting. When I took that pic of them side by side, if I remember correctly, I actually put the extended bolt end from the one installed into the holes of the WJ one. I think I measured too but can't remember. :dunno: :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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