Joint/Heim review

[2fst4you]

Looking to buy some heims or joints to make control arms for my short arm TJ. I'm wondering what you guys suggest as far as brand and size? These will on day be used to link my TJ on one tons. Looking at ballistic, jj's, crepper joints etc but am open to ideas. Can't be too expensive and must last squeak free on a DD.

Links would be helpful

[littletrucker]

well price it out...

2x johnny joints 41.95 ea
Tube adapters w/nuts about 15 per set (find them everywhere)
2x.250 wall D.O.M. tube $1 per inch (priced from a tube I just bought)

So you could pretty much make some stock length jeep control arms with johnny joints at both ends for about 130 ish per


Or you could make one with a bushing end

41.95 + 15 for adapter and nut
$15 in tube
$16 for bushing (http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...t_Code=BUSHDOM)

87.95 ea x2 175.90 for 2.. pretty comparable to the arms you posted

Could probably do them for cheaper if you made the bushed end and or used some smaller tubing for the arms I would suggest the johnny joints..

[2fst4you]

Ya I planned on pricing it out just wanted to know what joint everyone liked first. Thanks for that info though. If the x-flex or rusty joints are any good ill probably buy them if not ill make some with jj's

[wadey]

Originally Posted by littletrucker

(http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...t_Code=BUSHDOM)

Don't use those!! those wont allow any flex what so ever. You need something more along the lines of these http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/...ng_p_1663.html

[2fst4you]

I always thought rubber bushings flexed better than poly crrect me if I'm wrong

[wadey]

This is what you want.

http://roughcountry.com/jeep_tj_663U.html

That way your not buying all the extra crap you don't need. I wouldn't do the 4 inch to keep it low and besides your clearing your tires right now any ways.

[wadey]

Jeep TJ Longarm Upgrade Kit by Rough Country - YouTube

Jeep TJ Longarm Upgrade Kit by Rough Country - YouTube

the lower links hang kinda low but no lower than your tcase skid, and its comparable to all other bolt on long arm kits.

[joe_jeep]

avoid the rc stuff. the joints in the arms wear quickly.
build your own, or buy quality arms like currie, or rock krawler.

use no poly bushings at all!
factory rubber clevite bushings are ok and getting more popular.
they will offer some flex, just not as much as a jj.
good luck

[2fst4you]

Originally Posted by wadey

This is what you want.

http://roughcountry.com/jeep_tj_663U.html

That way your not buying all the extra crap you don't need. I wouldn't do the 4 inch to keep it low and besides your clearing your tires right now any ways.

I like that but I dont plan on doing a bolt on long arm kit. Planned on keeping my short arms until I got a new front axle and 3 and 4 linked it. I want to keep it low but plan on doing a 4" someday when I run 37s or 40s and coils, shocks, and brake lines will be required

[2fst4you]

Originally Posted by joe_jeep

avoid the rc stuff. the joints in the arms wear quickly.
build your own, or buy quality arms like currie, or rock krawler.

use no poly bushings at all!
factory rubber clevite bushings are ok and getting more popular.
they will offer some flex, just not as much as a jj.
good luck

Have you had any experience with the x-flex joints? I wanted to build some or buy some with jj's but looking at RC due to price. Also debating on running joints at both sides or just as one with a rubber bushing at the other

[wadey]

Originally Posted by 2fst4you

I like that but I dont plan on doing a bolt on long arm kit. Planned on keeping my short arms until I got a new front axle and 3 and 4 linked it. I want to keep it low but plan on doing a 4" someday when I run 37s or 40s and coils, shocks, and brake lines will be required

Well you were talking about buying $700 worth of short arms. So I figured this would be a better option for you.

We both know a 60 front is along ways off for either of our rigs. You could do the la kit and then easily sell it when your ready to upgrade. I would either do this, or just spend enough to get by, as in just the rear arms. Theres no reason to wrap up a ton of money in a short arm kit.

[2fst4you]

Ya I understand what your saying. Im probably just going to buy some new rear arms for now and change my front arms over to jointed ones in time. We will see what the budget allows

[joe_jeep]

Originally Posted by 2fst4you

Have you had any experience with the x-flex joints? I wanted to build some or buy some with jj's but looking at RC due to price. Also debating on running joints at both sides or just as one with a rubber bushing at the other

i dont own x-flex arms. i looked into them as a price point option just like you.
i checked into them and heard of quite a few people that had prematurely wearing joints. rc has great customer support. they will help you out with any issues. i just dont want to rebuild my arms yearly. there was one guy at rocks and valleys yesterday under his rig messing with his rc long arms.

the price of rc stuff is great, the quality is not always as good.
lucky for most guys their customer support and warranty is good!

they offer a new set that are adjustable, but have clevite rubber bushings at both ends. they might be a good option? at least they will ride well, and be quiet. should take forever to wear out.

some guys want rubber at one end to isolate noise and vibrartion. other guys want all the flex that can get. its a matter of opinion.
a tj with the sway bars disconnected will flex like mad with stock arms. rubber does flex. remember poly wont flex, and can possibly tear off a control arm mount when really crossed up.

[2fst4you]

I'm going to do a little more research on all types of joints before pulling the trigger but will most likely order some currie arms or make my own with johnny joints. That way ill have good joints later down the road when I link my TJ.

I want joints on atleast one end due to the fact of getting some more articulation out of my current setup but may end up with 2. If using one joint I will be using rubber at the opposite side. Thanks for your help

[2fst4you]

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...8X34SET15.html

These any good? Or are there other decent joints for a little cheaper than jj's

[feva4u]

Depends on what you ultimately want to do. Remember that the joint is only as strong as the minor diameter of the threads. Smaller the threaded end, the weaker your overall link is. I also try to run my joints as close to the link as possible to reduce the bending moment on the threaded area. My $.02. Be proud, I actually gave you a decent response for a change

[Eric99tj]

Originally Posted by 2fst4you

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...8X34SET15.html

These any good? Or are there other decent joints for a little cheaper than jj's

They are pretty good but the mounting width is only 2" with those misalignment spacers. My experiance with heims is that they squeak.

The jj's are a solid choose and you will not regret the little extra you spend. I have been running jj's for the last 4 years and they are still tight.

[dougstephvoor]

I recently bought the full set of currie control arms, I have not had any hard off roading on them yet, but I really like them so far, lots of flex.

[2fst4you]

Originally Posted by feva4u

Depends on what you ultimately want to do. Remember that the joint is only as strong as the minor diameter of the threads. Smaller the threaded end, the weaker your overall link is. I also try to run my joints as close to the link as possible to reduce the bending moment on the threaded area. My $.02. Be proud, I actually gave you a decent response for a change

These will be in a short arm TJ with 35s and one day id be using them to link the Jeep when I get one tons. What do you suggest over the ones in the link I posted? Btw thanks i appreciate that!

[wadey]

Originally Posted by 2fst4you

What will the mounting width affect? Ya i don't really want squeaking. Might just buy jj's so i can reuse them when I link it. Does anyone make a kit like this for the joints so i can save some money over buying it all individually?

I'm assuming that your going to mount the links in the stock spot right? If so, you have to run a joint thats 2.63" wide with a 9/16" bore to fit into the stock frame mounts. If you use a narrower heim you will have to build your own spacers to make up the difference.

And yes heims squeak you've heard my blazer and that was just with the track bar and draglink moving around. I couldn't imaginable what a entire suspension would sound like with them.