A Story of Indecision and Frivolous Spending
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
This short video shows a most excellent example of the type of performance you can expect from the mid-arm. It is the last waterfall on Wrecking Ball in JV.
This is our typical build for 35's.
(I do not know if I'll get it linked correctly and if not, hopefully someone can figure it out and fix it.)
This is a view from the other side that shows even if you get the front up and over, the rest still has to follow.
The first video won't work because it was shared on Facebook private (i.e., with a closed group, or someone who has their profile permissions set so that only friends of theirs can see their videos).
Looking at that second video though, I have to say, I'm impressed. The suspension seems to move around very easily and have little to no inherent bind.
Paul Coplin got me a good deal on the Fox reservoir shocks that he is tuning for me this week. I think the end result should be pretty fantastic.
Dave (MUDB8) was going to install his mid-arm for me, but I ultimately decided to go with the Savvy instead. His doesn't use a 4-link in the rear, it just extends the arms (and reposition's the mounts), but uses a 3-link front. It also uses Terflex bushings on one end and Johnny Joints on the other, which I thought was odd. He insists it's much better off-road than the Savvy as it gives you "more control", but I have yet to hear one person say anything bad about the Savvy mid-arm. Jerry raves about it, @jjvw loves, it, and the others on here who have it seem to love it as well.
The first one shows Martin Castro walking up the fall in his TJ Unlimited on 35's like it almost wasn't there. The second shows how hard it is when what you have doesn't work that well.
What's on that second one, is it the Savvy mid-arm? What is it about that setup that isn't working well, or is it just a combination of things?
jmb_973
Member
I’m hoping to get the savvy mid arm one day I like that element of control. I’m just going to keep living with my short arm for awhile. Myself not having the skill set to install the mid arm mixed with expensive labor prices around me, makes it definitely something I need to plan more for. I’m not upset about the short arm either 
The arms may be longer, but I suspect the geometry created by the mount locations is where the problems are. I'll guess that by comparison to Martin's, the rear on the Toyota is sinking and not putting traction to the ground.
The second one isn't a TJ so the Savvy mid-arm kit would be very difficult to adapt to. It appears to be on ORIs, and it looks like the rebound valving is very slow.
BTW, is the Savvy mid-arm supposed to come with any sort of instructions? I doubt the shop will need it, since they do stuff like this, but I just wasn't sure if there are supposed to be instructions included for general guidelines when installing.
The important measurements are the locations of the frame brackets. I still have the early instructions from the initial release if you want them.
Sure, I'd appreciate that. That's mostly what I'm concerned about, that the frame brackets end up exactly where they should be.
If your guys can read a tape measure, they'll be fine in that regard.
Clint Rivera
Member
That's what I was trying to explain to you.
While a Rough Country long arm, or whatever else the other shop was trying to build for you would work well in Oregon and where I wheel for most things, once you start to push your rig you are going to see the shortcomings rather quickly. Same thing with the stock suspension with a lift. Works great until it doesn't anymore, and then it gets ugly. The biggest difference you will feel will be the outboard, until you really start pushing stuff.
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