A arms: AL's versus stock

Topan · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:54 am

I will come back on describing all the damages i got on my KJ after doing 2 out of the 4 days of the Raid Bleu just before being Frankenlifted... :dead:

Any views on what UCA (A-arms) is best between the OEM (Stock) and the AL's version ? :juggle:

I have to replace mine and i am hesitating.
Also does the AL's version need to enlarge the holes where they are fixed ?

Cheers !!

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:06 am

Al's have replaceable ball joints, OEM does not.
If you go with Al's, send them an email with your suspension mods, they will be happy to respond and recommend what will work best, they care about their reputation.
When my stock upper A arm ball joints go, I won't be going stock.

Topan · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 4:12 am

thanks
Anyone knows if you have to trim out the space where the Arm is attached , to increase clearance?
My mechanic agrees to mount them on, but no triming and drilling in the KJ body....fair enough to me.

fastRob · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 6:53 am

Topan wrote:

thanks
Anyone knows if you have to trim out the space where the Arm is attached , to increase clearance?
My mechanic agrees to mount them on, but no triming and drilling in the KJ body....fair enough to me.

I have the Al's Arms. They are great. I like replaceable wear points. My mechanic said he liked them too, it was easier to align the wheels.
I suggest you have someone review the installation. The stealership tried to charge me 6 or 7 hours to install them. I think an hour or 2 is sufficient unless you have damage.
Do the math.
I bought Al's.
You decide.

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 1:24 pm

So far my stockers have held up just fine for over 100K mi and I willing to bet my KJ has seen more "real" offroad terrain more often then peeps worried about replaceable ball joints... just sayin'

In all my time out (in MOAB) with other KJ's with stock arms I've never seen a stock arm fail but I have seen an Al's arm snap at the weld. The solution at the time was for the original owner to sell the company to the current owner who made newer versions over and over correcting problems customers found. Maybe they're right now... I just don't want to find out on the freeway. And considering the steel front diff was also put out there not completely R&D'd I don't think things have changed.... but that's just me.

linewarbr · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 1:54 pm

Topan wrote:

thanks
Anyone knows if you have to trim out the space where the Arm is attached , to increase clearance?
My mechanic agrees to mount them on, but no triming and drilling in the KJ body....fair enough to me.

You do need to trim off some of the bottom lip of the holes where the A-Arms go. Here's a link to my A-Arm and Jeepin By Al lift installation, you can see where the A-Arms go. (and it may give perspective on JL's opinion of JBA products) viewtopic.php?f=3&t=53361
Don't forget to prime or paint the metal after you cut out the lip.

kdlewis1975 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 16, 2010 3:45 pm

I have the Al's arms that are supposed to replace the stock arms. I like them, but the complaint I do have is that they are a tad shorter than the stock units and cause the front tires to have .5 degrees too much negative camber with the lower arms adjusted all the way in.

Topan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 17, 2010 4:03 am

Thanks to you all !!
You guys convinced me to re-order the stock part.
Plus i need to replace only the left one. the Al's come by pair .

Cheers !

A arms: AL's versus stock

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