Rethinking control arms

[Goatman]

I got a set of the core 4x4 arms. Front and back. With the nice soft rubber mount in both ends. I will be mostly on road or fire service type trails due to a severe sciatic problem. But have been wondering if swapping to something like a Johnny Joint on one end might be a better way to go. Will increasing the arm's ability to flex more end up giving a softer ride? Even when on road? Granted the paved roads around where I live are more rutted than several dirt roads near me.

 

[jjvw]

Is this different than the control arm ride quality debate? The difference in ride between a bonded rubber bushing and a Johnny Joint is going to be imperceptible. If you are in need of the additional movement that a Johnny Joint offers, then both ends ought to be Johnny Joints.

 

[Chris]

I don't think you'll notice a softer ride at all (it will stay the same), but you'll get a much better (and rebuildable joint) that should last you the life of the vehicle, and you'll also get better misalignment from the Johnny Joints as well.

If you can afford it, I don't think there's a reason not to.

 

[Airjunky]

Seems like in the case of the Core control arms, you can buy them with the rubber bushings and drive it for a while, decide how well they're working, and upgrade to johnny joints on one end if and when needed. Definitely on my list to replace the old Rancho kit on mine.

 

[toximus]

How much lift do you have? How much travel?

 

[bobthetj03]

With bushings at both ends and a much more rigid arm, I'd be more concerned about ripping control arm brackets off the frame.

 

[StG58]

The stock control arms are actully quite good at low lift heights. The arm itself is designed to twist, without deflecting. This ability to twist keeps some of the load during articulation off the mounts, preventing damage. There are reasons for adjustable control arms, but ride isn't one of them.

 

[Airjunky]

With bushings at both ends and a much more rigid arm, I'd be more concerned about ripping control arm brackets off the frame.

On "road or fire service type trails " like he's described?

 

[Mark K]

I carried around some of these concerns, but have just installed Currie single adjustable arms (all 8), with H&R springs (1.25" spacer in the rear) and Rancho 5000X shocks, for about a 1.5" lift on BFG 31s. Man, what a difference in my 2000 TJ. I put 100 miles on it today, some rough roads and low water crossings, and it drove like a Baja prerunner. Much smoother and quieter. I can now smack speed bumps without slowing much and the Jeep just grunts a bit and presses on. I have arrived at what I have wanted for a long time, a Jeep that rides like my old Scout II with the Rancho racing suspension.

 

[Goatman]

The Core double bush arms are already installed
I have an OME lift with Rancho 5000x shocks installed. Adjustable front track bar and XJ steering upgrade. 32" Cooper LT-4S rubber. I guess what I am asking is...
Would the upgrade to a Johnny Joint net me any noticeable ride improvement on a mostly street driven TJ? Will the increase in articulation really do me any good. Double end Johny Joints is out because I already have the Core arms in. Unscrewing the adjustable end and replace with Johny Joints is as much as I want to go
I had thought I bought the arms with the flex joint but when I got around to opening the boxes 2 months later, I had the "level 1" arms, not the level 2. Too late to return, so I put them on. I am not unhappy with them. Just can't help but wonder if the level 2 arms would be a real improvement in ride. I know they would improve flex. But are the two (ride quality and flex) the same in my circumstance? Having severe sciatic pain may make ANY arm choice irrelevant.

 

[jjvw]

...
Would the upgrade to a Johnny Joint net me any noticeable ride improvement on a mostly street driven TJ?

Still no. The only reason to change the ends of the control arm is to increase the movement. Do your shocks allow more movement than stock?

Will the increase in articulation really do me any good.

Are these arms restricting articulation?