Caster Plates vs DVS radius arms

[stvrn6]

I'm running 315r17s with 2-3 in lift, I went with caster plates from Dobinson and run about 5 degrees of caster and the truck drives great on the highway very happy with it. Went with plates due to how inexpensive they were but now I have a chance to purchase brand new DVS 3in radius arms for about 1k. So I tried searching through the forums but cant find any real comparison between them. so Is there any real benefit from getting the arms over just continuing to run my plates? Also have a brand new DC driveshaft I have yet to install. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[BILT4ME]

I'm running 315r17s with 2-3 in lift, I went with caster plates from Dobinson and run about 5 degrees of caster and the truck drives great on the highway very happy with it. Went with plates due to how inexpensive they were but now I have a chance to purchase brand new DVS 3in radius arms for about 1k. So I tried searching through the forums but cant find any real comparison between them. so Is there any real benefit from getting the arms over just continuing to run my plates? Also have a brand new DC driveshaft I have yet to install. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

Everyone that has installed Delta's radius arms has had great things to say. You need to up your search game if you couldn't find anything on them in here.

I don't have them, but I don't have plates either. I have OEM rubber bushings in original arms.

 

[NeverFinis]

I purchased DVS 3L arms because they also moved the axle forward 1", allowing better fitment of larger tires.

This is from DeltaVS page on their arms, theses two points pertain to caster plates with stock radius arms.

• Our arms not only correct the caster, but they also keep your wheelbase stock. This is key for keeping factory handling characteristics, and something you will not achieve by using caster correcting plates.
• Our arms are considerably narrower than stock arms and allow for significantly more flex without interfering with the axle mounts. That’s what lifts are for, right? FLEX

 

[alia176]

I'm running 315r17s with 2-3 in lift, I went with caster plates from Dobinson and run about 5 degrees of caster and the truck drives great on the highway very happy with it. Went with plates due to how inexpensive they were but now I have a chance to purchase brand new DVS 3in radius arms for about 1k. So I tried searching through the forums but cant find any real comparison between them. so Is there any real benefit from getting the arms over just continuing to run my plates? Also have a brand new DC driveshaft I have yet to install. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

I don't think $1k and the time are worth the gain if you're content with the driveability currently. This sounds more like a nice to have vs must have.

 

[Mark W]

I have plates on one of my rigs. Not a fan of them. Mainly because of the fact that while they only sacrifice a small amount of ground clearance over aftermarket arms, they are the lowest point, and they are right up front. I have smacked hidden rocks on tall grass and in river crossings hard enough to bend and distort the plates on two notable occasions and a few other times too.

The prices is right and they give good caster.

I am about to do some more changes on this rig and I may wind up adding some of the Dobinsons adjustable caster bushings along with trailing arm drop brackets and removing the cater plates. Still pondering the final configuration. If I had the pennies to spend, I would go with arms. Probably Slee, but one way or the other I would prefer the arms.

Mark...

 

[alia176]

I used to have Slee plates that required the notching of the front radius arm brackets, at least that's why I think I notched mine. Before the Slee plates, I did my own caster correction using the "washer method" from way back before Slee came out with the plates. When I scored a set of used DVS arms, I had to deal with the notches before installing the arms. That required a little bit of fabrication, no biggy if you have the resources. I don't know how other companies do their caster plates these days.

 

[Broski]

I'm running 315r17s with 2-3 in lift, I went with caster plates from Dobinson and run about 5 degrees of caster and the truck drives great on the highway very happy with it. Went with plates due to how inexpensive they were but now I have a chance to purchase brand new DVS 3in radius arms for about 1k. So I tried searching through the forums but cant find any real comparison between them. so Is there any real benefit from getting the arms over just continuing to run my plates? Also have a brand new DC driveshaft I have yet to install. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

It’s been beat to death,

 

[AgentOrange]

I will add that it really depends on what you're doing with this Cruiser. If it's not doing anything harder than forest roads and other light to moderate wheeling, the gain probably isn't worth it. If you're wheeling harder, say some crawling and flexing, then I would go the Delta arms. They are narrower and that allows for a little more freedom to move. YMMV

 

[stvrn6]

I appreciate all of your guys help and input! Thank you. I decided to pull the trigger on them. Deal was to good to pass up, Brand new and even came with new bushings and hardware. Just finished installing a set of OEM locking axles and these will be a good addition.

 

[FIDO96]

I had Delta 3” arms installed Friday. Didn’t have any caster correction before and it was like hearding two young dogs through a park full of squirrels. It was a tug a war trying to drive straight down the highway @ 65+. Been driving all weekend now and all of a sudden I’m driving a brand new vehicle. So much more stability and predictability!

 

[stvrn6]

I had Delta 3” arms installed Friday. Didn’t have any caster correction before and it was like hearding two young dogs through a park full of squirrels. It was a tug a war trying to drive straight down the highway @ 65+. Been driving all weekend now and all of a sudden I’m driving a brand new vehicle. So much more stability and predictability!

That's the best way to describe how the truck drove before the caster plates lol. The caster plates made a night a day difference but I'm really looking forward to the extra flex from these arms. Also just installed a new DC driveshaft from Tom Woods so pretty excited to see how the truck handles. Hopefully vibrations are gone.