1998 TJ control arm selection

[KryptKanix]

Hey guys new poster here. I have a 98 TJ(2.5L) with a 3.5" lift in the front and 2.5" in the rear. I've been slowly going through all the suspension components and replacing what I can.

So far I'm looking for longer swaybar links for the rear, and not sure what to do about longer control arms. Are they necessary, or just go with crown replacements? Looking for suggestions.

 

[cpwolf]

At 3.5 inches of lift, inwoufl think you need non stock arms. I personally got Savvy double adjustable CAs. You need to dial in pinion angle and caster to make it drive well.

Savvy DA arms and Currie DA arms were what I looked at, but I like Core4x4 Tier 3 I think is what I got for my sons 2008 JK.

Replacing with Crown stock I would think your angle have to be off.

 

[KryptKanix]

At 3.5 inches of lift, inwoufl think you need non stock arms. I personally got Savvy double adjustable CAs. You need to dial in pinion angle and caster to make it drive well.

Savvy DA arms and Currie DA arms were what I looked at, but I like Core4x4 Tier 3 I think is what I got for my sons 2008 JK.

Replacing with Crown stock I would think your angle have to be off.

I figured as much, it doesn't drive great right now on stock. Any decent options that wont break the bank? Also is that front and rear, or just front seeing as the rear only has 2.5" lift?

 

[ErikOffroad]

What is the drivability issues currently that you are trying to fix? There may be a cheap way to fix it that doesn’t involve buying control arms.
In my opinion control arms are a buy once cry once purchase. I would not cheap out. But we may be able to fix the issue in a different direction.
Do you have a drive shaft and sye? Or looking into getting one soon?

 

[KryptKanix]

What is the drivability issues currently that you are trying to fix? There may be a cheap way to fix it that doesn’t involve buying control arms.
In my opinion control arms are a buy once cry once purchase. I would not cheap out. But we may be able to fix the issue in a different direction.
Do you have a drive shaft and sye? Or looking into getting one soon?

I am looking into getting a sye in the spring/summer. Basically I've had this tj for a. Long time, but it was just sitting here. I went and fixed everything I could see wrong, and now it runs and is on the road but the drivability just doesn't feel good(going over bumps especially). Needs an alignment, replaced all ball joints/tie rod ends, stabilizer, sway bar bushings and links. Drives way better, but doesn't feel dialed in.

The Control arms look pretty rough, so I figured I'd upgrade them. The shop doing my 3D alignment said i should look into longer control arms before bringing it in

 

[jjvw]

If you are doing an SYE, then you need adjustable control arms for the double cardan rear driveshaft.

Arms with Johnny Joints on both ends are the best option.

 

[KryptKanix]

I am looking into getting a sye in the spring/summer. Basically I've had this tj for a. Long time, but it was just sitting here. I went and fixed everything I could see wrong, and now it runs and is on the road but the drivability just doesn't feel good. Needs an alignment, replaced all ball joints/tie rod ends, stabilizer, sway bar bushings and links. Drives way better, but doesn't feel dialed in.

The Control arms look pretty rough, so I figured I'd upgrade them. The shop doing my 3D alignment said i should look into longer control arms before bringing it in

If you are doing an SYE, then you need adjustable control arms for the double cardan rear driveshaft.

Arms with Johnny Joints on both ends are the best option.

Any brands I should be looking at?

 

[jjvw]

Any brands I should be looking at?

Savvy or RockJock would be my first choices because the rear uppers can adjust short enough for a high raised center skid. People like Core because of cost and don't mind a fatter arm.

 

[cpwolf]

I figured as much, it doesn't drive great right now on stock. Any decent options that wont break the bank? Also is that front and rear, or just front seeing as the rear only has 2.5" lift?

if it doesn’t vibrate correctly in the rear driveshaft then you can choose on the rear. If you’re doing a SYE in the spring, you need the SYE, a new drive shaft and control arms that adjust.

Front, shorter term, If you replaced all that, at 3.5” I’d look at adjustable control arms and Track bar.

Savvy, Currie (Rockjock now) are premium, Core4x4 have a couple tiers, soem cheaoer.

You said problems over bumps, you didn’t get a drop Pitman arm? That’s not needed and will cause bump steer on bumps. Possibly time for shocks as well.

How you space out the $ and if that matters is a big part of the planning, for me just had to plan out when I could do what and have the parts ready.

 

[KryptKanix]

if it doesn’t vibrate correctly in the rear driveshaft then you can choose on the rear. If you’re doing a SYE in the spring, you need the SYE, a new drive shaft and control arms that adjust.

Front, shorter term, If you replaced all that, at 3.5” I’d look at adjustable control arms and Track bar.

Savvy, Currie (Rockjock now) are premium, Core4x4 have a couple tiers, soem cheaoer.

You said problems over bumps, you didn’t get a drop Pitman arm? That’s not needed and will cause bump steer on bumps. Possibly time for shocks as well.

How you space out the $ and if that matters is a big part of the planning, for me just had to plan out when I could do what and have the parts ready.

I didn't get a drop pitman arm, but i did replace the shocks. So for now I think im going to go with stock replacement for the rear, and get a adjustable set for the front. Probably looking a set from Core.

I'll wait till spring to get my sye and adjustable rear set.