Jeep Driver Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 I've studied all the offerings, these look to be the best but not the cheapest. I want fixed LCA, straight not bent. I can understand why you would want the 36 degree bend for a 4"++ lift but not for stock height. I'm going to email them about making me up a pair. I replaced all mine less than 2 years ago with stock (dorman) junk. Looking to replace for the last time. Anyone have any experiences with Iron Man? Any other options? I'm definitely ordering the UCAs in the next week but need to know about the lowers. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oyaji Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 How about WJ LCAs? (I know - it's bent a little...) http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoWJcontrolarms.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 That bend I do want for tire clearance. This bend I do NOT want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 One of my objectives is to get the slop out of the front end, articulation is not a goal. I want better road response. Rubber bushings are fine, I don't want the harshness of poly, but I don't what the sloppiness of stock bushings either. I also intend to do the double shear track bar too, there I may go poly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 That bend I do want for tire clearance. This bend I do NOT want. i think that bend is for the taller lifts, if it where straight it would contact part of the LCA mount / shock mount on full drop. The shock mount area above the LCA mount can be trimmed to allow drop, i have done that in preparation for my WJ Control arms. i know its not the best pic but you can see how closely the LCA is to the shock mount in this pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Those Ironman arms with the poly bushings are identical to any other bottom of the line, cheap control arm on the market. Because the arms provide no 'twist', all of the twisting force will be applied to the bushings. This is why solid control arms with solid bushings at each end wear out very fast. The stock control arms may be weaker, but at least the the U shape design is designed to twist allowing them to last longer The rubber bushings in the stock control arms are cheap and easy to replace. I know nothing about the Dorman replacement part though. Based on your replies, I am going to assume you refuse to buy an arm with a Johnny Joint on one end. I will be getting Rokmen arms for my '92. Although a bit spendy, I have the JKS control arms on my TJ and have for 7 years. Might fit your needs, with a quality part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 11, 2014 Author Share Posted January 11, 2014 Those Ironman arms with the poly bushings are identical to any other bottom of the line, cheap control arm on the market. Because the arms provide no 'twist', all of the twisting force will be applied to the bushings. This is why solid control arms with solid bushings at each end wear out very fast. The stock control arms may be weaker, but at least the the U shape design is designed to twist allowing them to last longer The rubber bushings in the stock control arms are cheap and easy to replace. I know nothing about the Dorman replacement part though. Based on your replies, I am going to assume you refuse to buy an arm with a Johnny Joint on one end. I will be getting Rokmen arms for my '92. Although a bit spendy, I have the JKS control arms on my TJ and have for 7 years. Might fit your needs, with a quality part. I did look at those, and I understand completely what you are saying and how these work. IIRC......something like $450 for the pair? Do you see the lowers as more critical than the uppers......IOWs bearing more abuse? As I stated, 99% of my driving is on loose flat surface......make any difference to you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted January 11, 2014 Share Posted January 11, 2014 Wow, apparently the price of the JKS arms went through the roof. From Northridge 4x4 it looks like they will run about $650 today for a set of 4 :ack: Rokmen seem to be a little cheaper. I have a hard time saying the lowers or uppers are more critical. You really need both to get the front axle aligned correctly, especially if on a lifted rig. That said, I believe the LCA takes far more abuse than the UCA. The LCA is also much larger and more robust, even from the factory. Sadly, my TJ sees far more road use than wheeling...probably 90%. I built it so I could drive it 16 hours to Ouray or Moab, wheel it, then drive back home. I think it has 100K miles on the suspension. It handles great on the road and is a blast to drive down a twisty mountain road. My father has recently built his TJ very similarly to mine, but used the Rokmen control arms (with JJs at each end). It also handles great and I do not notice any vibration or road bumps with his Rokmen arms vs my JKS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biotex Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 How about WJ LCAs? (I know - it's bent a little...) http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoWJcontrolarms.htm Are those the 99 - 2004 WJ lowers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 How about WJ LCAs? (I know - it's bent a little...) http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoWJcontrolarms.htm Are those the 99 - 2004 WJ lowers? yes, somewhere on Comanche Club a member also used the WJ UCAs with slight trimming around the passenger side UCA body mount. I seem to have lost the bookmark. but i was planning to use WJ UCAs and LCAs on my MJ. EDIT: Located that WJ UCA thread http://comancheclub.com/topic/19279-wj-upper-control-arms-installed/?hl=upper+control+arms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Sloppyness of the stock bushings? New stock bushings are $5.99, are a simple press fit, and ride no worse than poly bushings. They last a lot longer too. I used to run "Motion Offroad" (Teraflex) lower control arms and was replacing the poly bushings every year. Rubicon Express got tired of replacing poly bushings under warranty and completely redesigned theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 15, 2014 Author Share Posted January 15, 2014 Sloppyness of the stock bushings? New stock bushings are $5.99, are a simple press fit, and ride no worse than poly bushings. They last a lot longer too. I used to run "Motion Offroad" (Teraflex) lower control arms and was replacing the poly bushings every year. Rubicon Express got tired of replacing poly bushings under warranty and completely redesigned theirs. Those are half the price of the JKS, do you recommend those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee21490 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 How about WJ LCAs? (I know - it's bent a little...) http://jeep-xj.info/HowtoWJcontrolarms.htm Are those the 99 - 2004 WJ lowers? yes, somewhere on Comanche Club a member also used the WJ UCAs with slight trimming around the passenger side UCA body mount. I seem to have lost the bookmark. but i was planning to use WJ UCAs and LCAs on my MJ. EDIT: Located that WJ UCA thread http://comancheclub.com/topic/19279-wj-upper-control-arms-installed/?hl=upper+control+arms Awesome! I have a set of LCA from a GC sitting next the the couch in the living room at the moment, Wasnt aware that the Uppers can be used too! Just snagged a pair for $50 on ebay Will make a nice addition to my 5.5" Lift, Thanks for the link :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 If what you want is great on-road performance for a stock-height MJ, it'll be hard to beat the WJ arms :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Sloppyness of the stock bushings? New stock bushings are $5.99, are a simple press fit, and ride no worse than poly bushings. They last a lot longer too. I used to run "Motion Offroad" (Teraflex) lower control arms and was replacing the poly bushings every year. Rubicon Express got tired of replacing poly bushings under warranty and completely redesigned theirs. Those are half the price of the JKS, do you recommend those? Only if you want to replace the bushings every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmerjohnson Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I have a little insight on these arms. I've worked with Andy, the man who owns ironman. His poly bushings don't where out fast because he uses a tapered insert sleeve that he makes on the lathe. As for bends, he makes each set to order so just tell him what ya want. Pm me if you have more questions. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmerjohnson Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I had Andy make these for an XJ I had. factory length with clevite rubber bushings with a bend for tire clearance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 This weekend i finally got around to installing the WJ LCAs. here is a pic showing the required modifications to the axle mounts When I get a chance I am going to install the WJ UCAs as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 This weekend i finally got around to installing the WJ LCAs. here is a pic showing the required modifications to the axle mounts When I get a chance I am going to install the WJ UCAs as well. That $#!& ain't happin' here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeep Driver Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 I have a little insight on these arms. I've worked with Andy, the man who owns ironman. His poly bushings don't where out fast because he uses a tapered insert sleeve that he makes on the lathe. As for bends, he makes each set to order so just tell him what ya want. Pm me if you have more questions. :) Cool, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 It's not as bad as it looks. Not much was removed, just enough to allow proper drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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