Priorities: Upper vs Lower Control Arms

[Don Bulee]

Hello! I need and advice... I have a Core4x4 cruise series with upgraded adjustable end to a JJ (like the pic, so kind of a camp series) for the control arms in my 06 Rubicon, that means that I have one Johnny Joint in the adjustable end of the arm and a poly bushing in the fixed end.. so I contacted Core4x4 to get a quote of the arm with the JJ welded like their most expensive trim crawl series(so I can have both ends with JJs) without the adjustable JJ since I already have them... but then I thought.... my front Upper control Arms is poly bushing in the axle to poly bushing in the CA bracket, so... would it be more beneficial for my to prioritize the JJ in the front upper control arms? or it would be better to get the JJ in both ends for my lower control arms..? eventually I will upgrade them all, but my question is more for what would you consider to be better to do first.. not sure how much the front upper control arm limits flex (I usually wheel in rocks, so all the flex is appreciated, yes, I do have an antirock) thank you !!!

 

[Brimstone]

I would definitely prioritize getting a flex joint on one end of the uppers first. I personally would never have installed upper CAs that have poly joints on both ends. They would not allow hardly any twisting at all as the axle tries to flex.

 

[jjvw]

Both uppers and lowers are used together to adjust both the pinion and the wheelbase.

The arms should have Johnny Joints on both ends except for the front axle uppers.

 

[rasband]

They would not allow hardly any twisting at all as the axle tries to flex.

My axle begs to differ. Back when I was on short arms with 11" of travel up front there was no binding issues with the OEM rubber in the uppers (JJs everywhere else).

 

[Brimstone]

My axle begs to differ. Back when I was on short arms with 11" of travel up front there was no binding issues with the OEM rubber in the uppers (JJs everywhere else).

Except we are not talking about stock arms with rubber joints. I was addressing the ones he has, which specifically are solid arms with polyurethane joints.

 

[rasband]

Except we are not talking about stock arms with rubber joints. I was addressing the ones he has, which specifically are solid arms with polyurethane joints.

I wish I could read. I don't think that it's an emergency thing, but you're right - it's worth getting the frame end on the front uppers to be a better joint since they don't have the flexible design of the OEMs that made up for the dual-poly on a rigid arm. Thanks for pointing my oversight out.