Homemade Control Arms?? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

97TjZack · 05-17-2006, 07:04 PM

Whats the easiest way to do this for a TJ. I need to make some adjustable rear upper control arms. I was thinking about buying some ends from a company and then making them, or maybe make the ends too. Just curious what everyone else thinks?

rckjeep · 05-18-2006, 01:14 AM

just buy them. You'll spend more time & money making a set. Unless you just want to build them, then by all means go for it. I'd personally make them out of at the very least 1.5" x .250" wall DOM or Cromoly, but 1.75" x .375" would be better. Then I'd use a johnny joint or "flex joint" at the ends. You could could save a few bucks by going bushing on one end too. Or Heims but they need to be pretty beefy which is $$$$.

97TjZack · 05-18-2006, 08:40 AM

Well I was at tractor supply today looking for some parts and stuff and found a control arm for tractor with heims at both ends. Really beefy, and adjustable. 20 bucks each....Should I go this route?? With the heims on both ends, not sure how those mount up and everything?

Benzz0 · 05-18-2006, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97TjZack

Well I was at tractor supply today looking for some parts and stuff and found a control arm for tractor with heims at both ends. Really beefy, and adjustable. 20 bucks each....Should I go this route?? With the heims on both ends, not sure how those mount up and everything?

those are tractor 3 point hitch links...I highly doubt they would work for you and as for the hiems they are a bigass 1" bore

you can TRY and use those but report back what you find out

oh and for the 1" bolt on the hiems - press a rubber bushing inside it to reduce the bolts size

I think Billavista here made a traction bar with those like 3 years ago

MigMiester · 05-18-2006, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97TjZack

Well I was at tractor supply today looking for some parts and stuff and found a control arm for tractor with heims at both ends. Really beefy, and adjustable. 20 bucks each....Should I go this route?? With the heims on both ends, not sure how those mount up and everything?

Those are junk, unless you have a JD!

You don't need adjustable control arms unless you plan on changing your rigs suspension often. Adjustable control arms exist only because each rig is different, and because if they use a rod end (heim) they need to be replaced due to wear about every 15K miles. Calculate the length you need and make them solid. Use a johnny joint or bushing at each end. You can build a full set of long arms using stock bushings for around $150, add the extra $$ for johnny joints if you want to use those.

97TjZack · 05-18-2006, 09:01 AM

Whats the problem with the big bolt? Always thought bigger was better....haha.

97TjZack · 05-18-2006, 09:03 AM

Yea I guess making solid ones to the right length would be the easiest. To be honest I didnt even think of that because everyone talks about adjustables.

guidolyons · 05-18-2006, 09:07 AM

Dude...Don't use tractor 3 links as suspension links. Yes, some,guys have used them as traction/antiwrap bars, but they are not up to the CRITICAL and POTENTIALLY FATAL task of supporting and locating the axles under your rig. The manufacturing tolerances/hardness/durability of tractor links are not even close to what you need for suspension links. With the amount of slop in a tractor link, your junk will be scary!

97TjZack · 05-18-2006, 09:19 AM

see this is why I ask questions, I thought it was a great idea. So if I make my own, is it better to go with a bushing set up??

Benzz0 · 05-18-2006, 09:32 AM

I would go bushings on the frame end and hiems on the axle end...but that's just me

1.75" - 2" OD 1/4" wall DOM would suffice...you can your rod ends from just about any suspension vendor here in the vendors section...or http://www.qa-1.com

don't forget to get the rod end inserts

you're looking at about $150+ PER ARM if you make them yourself...

05-17-2006, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
97TjZack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 70279 Location: Dillonvale, Oh Posts: 30	Homemade Control Arms?? Whats the easiest way to do this for a TJ. I need to make some adjustable rear upper control arms. I was thinking about buying some ends from a company and then making them, or maybe make the ends too. Just curious what everyone else thinks?

05-18-2006, 01:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
rckjeep Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9246 Location: San Jose Posts: 605	just buy them. You'll spend more time & money making a set. Unless you just want to build them, then by all means go for it. I'd personally make them out of at the very least 1.5" x .250" wall DOM or Cromoly, but 1.75" x .375" would be better. Then I'd use a johnny joint or "flex joint" at the ends. You could could save a few bucks by going bushing on one end too. Or Heims but they need to be pretty beefy which is $$$$. __________________ _____________________________ Contact me for info about Low Rangers 4WDC

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05-18-2006, 08:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
97TjZack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 70279 Location: Dillonvale, Oh Posts: 30	Well I was at tractor supply today looking for some parts and stuff and found a control arm for tractor with heims at both ends. Really beefy, and adjustable. 20 bucks each....Should I go this route?? With the heims on both ends, not sure how those mount up and everything?

05-18-2006, 09:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
97TjZack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 70279 Location: Dillonvale, Oh Posts: 30	Whats the problem with the big bolt? Always thought bigger was better....haha.

05-18-2006, 09:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
97TjZack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 70279 Location: Dillonvale, Oh Posts: 30	Yea I guess making solid ones to the right length would be the easiest. To be honest I didnt even think of that because everyone talks about adjustables.

05-18-2006, 09:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
97TjZack Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 70279 Location: Dillonvale, Oh Posts: 30	see this is why I ask questions, I thought it was a great idea. So if I make my own, is it better to go with a bushing set up??