Rear lower control arms

[jonheld]

It's been a while since I had to build up a truck from stock, but my new LX450 Creampuff needs some help. In the past I've had everything custom fabricated from a local welder, but he has gotten too busy to fit in my "once in a while" projects.
I've seen Christo and Rick's designs, both with solid bar as opposed to tube, and I looked at Wild West Offroad who took a different approach and pre-bent the tube for better clearance. Still not sure about that idea.
So what are all the cool kids doing for rock proof LCAs these days?

 

[atomicshawn]

I'm in the rocks a fair amount. Phil's idea took care of the bendy LCA problem for me:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/az-copper-state-cruisers/451110-rear-lower-control-arms-mod-80-series.html

Cheap. Easy. Effective.

...but I'm not one of the cool kids



...via IH8MUD app

 

[1973Guppie]

I just did my LCA's. I simply bought some 3/16" angle iron and welded it to the stock tube. I had to put one of the LCA's in a press as I bent it in moab. They are beefy now and no way I will be bending them. I chose this route as I did not want to spend alot of time on them as eventually I am going to go with a 4 inch lift and metaltech lca's.

 

[ChiTown]

OME offers solid lowers.

 

[jfz80]

Cut n sleeve was the route I chose as well.
Of course you need straight ones to begin with for that project. Are you going for extra length as well as beef? I was going for both so this method allowed that easily. Saw some cmcc pics, The Lexus looked good in the rocks

There are also metal techs offset bushing set on the mkt now too if your looking for off the shelf options.

http://www.metaltech4x4.com/p-745-metal-tech-fj80-series-lc-offset-rear-lower-links.aspx

 

[nukegoat]

Sleeve 'n' bend is win and easy.

Solid steel rod is silly

 

[Tools R Us]

I just did my LCA's. I simply bought some 3/16" angle iron and welded it to the stock tube. I had to put one of the LCA's in a press as I bent it in moab. They are beefy now and no way I will be bending them. I chose this route as I did not want to spend alot of time on them as eventually I am going to go with a 4 inch lift and metaltech lca's.

Mine have 1/4" x 2" angle end to end on them, went this route long ago, because the bushings were good, didn't want to replace them. One of them is bent, but it took a significant "event", like teeth rattling. My guess, with enough determination, any of them can be bent. My favorite method is the cut and sleeve, none that we have done have been bent, but it's likely not impossible.

 

[NLXTACY]

Solid steel rod is silly

Nothing wrong with being silly

Doesn't hurt having much thicker bushing ends.

 

[nukegoat]

Nothing wrong with being silly

Doesn't hurt having much thicker bushing ends.

I've got a thicker bushing end for you

 

[inkpot]

I prefer the cut-n-sleeve method. Cheap and easy for the results. Also prefer straight over curved for better protection of other parts on the underside, like the driveshaft. John

 

[NLXTACY]

I've got a thicker bushing end for you

Who you borrowing it from?

 

[jonheld]

Like I said in the original post, I no longer have a fabricator to work with. Anything I need will have to be off the shelf.
The OEM arms are nice and bent now, but at least they're evenly bent on both sides. She rides just fine.
The Metaltech looks interesting and falls in the middle of the price range.

 

[Corbet]

Off the shelf I'm a fan of Rick's but they are designed for a 4" lift so that my not be your best option. You did not mention a lift height. Solid may be silly but they sure take a beating. I was going to sleeve mine originally but I ran out of straight OEM control arms.

My thought on the Wild West pre-bent LCA's is that that seems like it would leave your rear driveshaft and sway bar links more exposed but that is just my web wheeling thought.

 

[atomicshawn]

Prefab is the simplest solution for sure. The cut and sleeve process is super easy though. One of my arms was bent. Wasn't difficult to get back in shape enough to sleeve it…


...via IH8MUD app

 

[jonheld]

Off the shelf I'm a fan of Rick's but they are designed for a 4" lift so that my not be your best option. You did not mention a lift height. Solid may be silly but they sure take a beating. I was going to sleeve mine originally but I ran out of straight OEM control arms.

My thought on the Wild West pre-bent LCA's is that that seems like it would leave your rear driveshaft and sway bar links more exposed but that is just my web wheeling thought.

It has the 4" Iron Man suspension from my white truck, but I don't see why lift would make a difference. I have run both trucks on stock length arms with 2 and 4" lifts with no issues.
The driveshaft is always going to be vulnerable which is why I'm having a rock shaft made. Unfortunately it has been sitting at the fabricator with new OEM spiders since May. If I live long enough, perhaps I'll get a chance to put it on the truck before destroying the stock shaft. Again, I don't have the time, tools, supplies, or talent to do this stuff myself.
At this point I think I'm going with the Metaltech LCAs.

 

[UnderDawg]

My next mod... of course I say that about a lot of the sh*t thats posted on here.

 

[Corbet]

It has the 4" Iron Man suspension from my white truck, but I don't see why lift would make a difference. I have run both trucks on stock length arms with 2 and 4" lifts with no issues.
The driveshaft is always going to be vulnerable which is why I'm having a rock shaft made. Unfortunately it has been sitting at the fabricator with new OEM spiders since May. If I live long enough, perhaps I'll get a chance to put it on the truck before destroying the stock shaft. Again, I don't have the time, tools, supplies, or talent to do this stuff myself.
At this point I think I'm going with the Metaltech LCAs.

I mentioned lift height as Ricks LCA's are slightly longer than stock to correct pinion angle. Whole other argument

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Using the linked method in post #2 above does not require a fab guy just a backyard welder you dont even need to remove the bushings. Pretty simple and plenty strong at 3/8" thick.

 

[landtank]

we now offer our HD LCAs in both extended and stock lengths. As well as with or without bushings. Bushings are OEM only.

 

[Enigma]

I replaced my bent rear control arms with beefier ones from Jason at 'Cruisin Off Road. No issues now.