Adjustable or Fixed Lower Control Arms?

[oceanblue2019]

With a 2.5" lift a 24.5" long lower control arm will get you around 6.5 degrees. Now not all lifts are the same so YMMV.

With the 24.25" of the MOPAR arms you get 1/2 way there - as you have sort of measured.

Factory arms are 24"

Hope this helps.

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[mschlott]

I'm with you. Many have offered up sage advice about the flexibility for a larger lift. That is a good point for most, but I modify my Jeeps straight away after I get them. I've never gone back and (re)changed out parts. If one is in set-it-and-forget-it mode, paying 5x more for adjustability is not the best place to spend cash. My biggest consideration is whether the 24.25" fixed length arms will actually hit the sweet-spot for my application.

As usual, you folks are a wealth of information. I continue to be amazed at the breadth of knowledge and willingness to share. That said, where was all of the good advice when I bought two 3.8 liter JKs? They literally ran like a Pentastar with two plug wires disconnected.

I'm already second guessing myself. If I get the Mopar arms and they are OK but not as good as I would like, I'm unlikely to change them. I just can't see spending $300 for a set. Rough Country makes some for $200. They seem to have good reviews. I may end up going that route.

 

[limeade]

That said, where was all of the good advice when I bought two 3.8 liter JKs? They literally ran like a Pentastar with two plug wires disconnected.

Can't speak for others, but I stayed away for the JK's. Had a TJ Rubicon and was very happy with that. Wanted nothing to do with the 3.8!

 

[RagTopDeluxe]

I put the Mopar LCAs on my ‘19 JLR (no lift) and got my caster from 4.7* to 6*. It helped, but I wished I had gone with adjustable LCAs. Side note: the steering was so bad on that one it got bought back. I purchased MC adjustable LCAs for it but I won arbitration so didn’t use them.

My ‘20 JLUR has much better steering but was still a bit flighty at freeway speeds. The caster was again 4.7*. I put the adjustable LCAs on and the caster is around 7* and it is sooooo much better.

 

[maaark]

Go with adjustable control arms. I run the MC GC's and they seem so much more robust than the stock mopar control arms. It's inherent that more parts means more possible points of failure but with an adjustable setup you can really fine tune your geometry for superior handling both on and off road.

 

[rickinAZ]

Thanks for all of the input guys.

I cancelled my order for fixed Mopar arms in favor of Teraflex adjustable LCAs. Based on everyone's input, the 24.25" will likely fall just short of what I need with my small (2") leveling lift. The Jeep was steering great until the spacer lift and now it's slow to recenter the steering wheel. After left turns the wheel takes several hundred yards to come back to the noon position - even though the Jeep is tracking dead straight the whole time.

 

[Jeepr]

Thanks for all of the input guys.

I cancelled my order for fixed Mopar arms in favor of Teraflex adjustable LCAs. Based on everyone's input, the 24.25" will likely fall just short of what I need with my small (2") leveling lift. The Jeep was steering great until the spacer lift and then it's slow to recenter the steering wheel. After left turns the wheel takes several hundred yards to come back to the noon position - even though the Jeep is tracking dead straight the whole time.

The steering characteristics of proper caster given the poor quality JL steering is invaluable. I am certain you will be pleased with your purchase if you get it adjusted to 6.5-8 degrees.

 

[mschlott]

I just measured the front diff housing. I'm at about 86.5 degrees off of horizontal. This give me a caster of 3.5. So it's worse than I thought. Adjustable arms are in my future.

What is the difference between a Rough Country $200 set and the more expensive brands?

 

[Jeepr]

I just measured the front diff housing. I'm at about 86.5 degrees off of horizontal. This give me a caster of 3.5. So it's worse than I thought. Adjustable arms are in my future.

What is the difference between a Rough Country $200 set and the more expensive brands?

Mostly preference, In the more affordable short arm category. Some brands do utilize different technology in the bushings. If you are truly set up at 3.5 degrees of caster, you are going to be so satisfied to operate beyond 6 degrees that any purchase that gets you there will be satisfactory.

 

[RedundanT]

I just measured the front diff housing. I'm at about 86.5 degrees off of horizontal. This give me a caster of 3.5. So it's worse than I thought. Adjustable arms are in my future.

What is the difference between a Rough Country $200 set and the more expensive brands?

Joints. Ones that flex and last, versus OEM type garbage. Clayton, MetalCloak, my personal favorite Core4x4 and Currie are QUALITY. JKS and Teraflex are in my second tier of choice. Your money, buy quality and cry once.

 

[mschlott]

Joints. Ones that flex and last, versus OEM type garbage. Clayton, MetalCloak, my personal favorite Core4x4 and Currie are QUALITY. JKS and Teraflex are in my second tier of choice. Your money, buy quality and cry once.

I see Core 4x4 has multiple product lines. I like that they detail what the difference is in materials and manufacturing. I wish all the manufacturers did that.

 

[RedundanT]

I see Core 4x4 has multiple product lines. I like that they detail what the difference is in materials and manufacturing. I wish all the manufacturers did that.

I have the Tier 3, really, Really, REALLY, LOVE them.

 

[Clayton Off Road]

Check out our Overland Plus control arm set if you haven't yet! All of our control arms come with 100% maintenance-free Giiro bushings that soak up road noise and vibration for comfortable on-road driving, a ton of flex and misalignment for off-road performance, thick square wall DOM tubing for strength and durability, and finished in a zinc-rich powder coating to help fight against rusting. Everything is designed and built in the USA and comes with our lifetime warranty against bending or breaking

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-wrangler-overland-control-arm-kit-2018-jl

 

[mschlott]

I have the Tier 3, really, Really, REALLY, LOVE them.

Do they have the brake line mounts?

 

[RedundanT]

Do they have the brake line mounts?

No they do not, like the TerFlex kit you pry that silly bracket off the brake hose to have slack enough to flex.

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