2008 Rubicon - Control Arms

Well, all the work I've been doing means I'm a bit broke for a while. But I wanted to also beef up the control arms. I can't do the heavy duty off road ones now. So, here is what I have done - at least to the lower ones. Haven't decided if I'll do anything to the tops at this time, may leave alone for now. By the way, the pic's may not be as good as usual, as my Cannon A650is camera seems to have been stolen, have ordered another (re-furbished this time) - but for now is the cell phone camera....

*******


---------



Here is top and side shots. I have taken 2 x ¼" angle, used the band saw and trimmed about ½" off one side to fit the rectangular tubing. Fitted to the parts form.

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||



Drilled 2" apart for plug welds.
----------



Laid in place so I could mark the holes, then sand thru the paint a bit to get the weld started.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||



Welded in place. Have to be careful on the ends and weld just a bit, let cool, weld a bit more, so as to not burn the rubber out of the end.

---------



Ground down smooth, then off to the media blaster to get ready for paint.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rear arms....



I have some 1 x 1 x ¼ angle heavy wall stuff that I fit to the rear lowers.

-----------------



-----------------




Fitted, welded and ground smooth. Now off to the media blaster to get ready for paint.

*********************

Hope this keeps them from bending like a pretzel...

Has anyone else done this?

And IF I squirt the rubbers out at some time, Suggestions on whether to put stock ones back, or something else.

nice work. i think the weakest link on the control arms is the fixed end bushing that can bind up during flex.

Keep in mind that I will be very little off roading, nothing too close - hour or more drive to most public areas. I am intending to use a sno-plow this winter - not commercially, but have a fair amount I can do if I have something to do it with. So, flex is of minimal concern. But who knows, may do more off roading now that I have something I can with....

Nice work (as always).

Those things are pretty beefy.