Adjustable rear control arms

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
Are these worth replacing with adjustable to strengthen and adjust pinion angle?

I'm lifted 3-4" in the rear

EDIT: shifting focus from just adjustable uppers
 
Last edited:

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
15,882
Location
OC
I replaced mine for pinion angle and strength since they're beefier compared to stock. I also moved my rear axle back with adjustable lowers so that screwed with my pinion angle more.
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
I replaced mine for pinion angle and strength since they're beefier compared to stock. I also moved my rear axle back with adjustable lowers so that screwed with my pinion angle more.
Makes sense
I'm wondering if it worth $400 to buy new, adjustable uppers...
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2021
Messages
257
Location
Roaming
Well if your lowers are adjustable. I'd say it's worth it to buy the uppers. The lowers can only adjust so much. They basically push the axle back to where you want it...messing up your angle. The uppers allow the rotation of the axle to correct what you mess up with the lowers. So if your fucking around with lowers then mine as well get uppers.
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
Well if your lowers are adjustable. I'd say it's worth it to buy the uppers. The lowers can only adjust so much. They basically push the axle back to where you want it...messing up your angle. The uppers allow the rotation of the axle to correct what you mess up with the lowers. So if your fucking around with lowers then mine as well get uppers.

I have stock lowers. I was considering adjustable uppers to "correct" the pinion angle after a 3-4" suspension lift.

If this is a non-issue I can find better things to spend $ on.
 

Slim-Whitey

Canadian hoser, Eh?
Know it all snowfake
Joined
Mar 8, 2019
Messages
4,121
Age
32
Location
Saskatchewan
It is almost ( *almost*) always worth the effort to correct pinion and driveline angles.

Driveshafts can end up vibrating on less than .5° of variation. It's a sensitive thing. Double cardans and CV driveshafts help, 2pc driveshafts help, but at the end of the day, driveline geometry is something you should always be mindful of.

Entire builds are centered around driveline angles.

Get the arms.
Dial in your angles.
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2021
Messages
257
Location
Roaming
I have stock lowers. I was considering adjustable uppers to "correct" the pinion angle after a 3-4" suspension lift.

If this is a non-issue I can find better things to spend $ on.
Okay well now the question is. I'm getting adjustable uppers to correct pinion angles are lower adjustable worth it? Answer still yes. Our lowers are the weak point and tend to bend. Spend the money on all 4 as it is cheaper rather then bend your lowers and buy em separate at more money then the package deal. Also pinion angles aren't anything you want off. Leads to more maintenance. Dial that shit in.
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
15,882
Location
OC
Okay well now the question is. I'm getting adjustable uppers to correct pinion angles are lower adjustable worth it? Answer still yes. Our lowers are the weak point and tend to bend. Spend the money on all 4 as it is cheaper rather then bend your lowers and buy em separate at more money then the package deal. Also pinion angles aren't anything you want off. Leads to more maintenance. Dial that shit in.

Also gonna point out. Don't get the Chinese rip-offs. I got total chaos eBay copies. I bent my panhard, my uppers didn't have the right sleeve in the bushings for the bolt, and I fucked up my lowers. Wasn't worth it but I didn't know any better when I first started modding.

We custom made my lowers, I bought metal tech uppers, and put my stock panhard back on.
 
Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
162
Location
KY
In case anyone is wondering, metaltech’s 4th gen/GX/FJC upper control arms fit a 3rd gen, but the axle end is a TIGHT fit and will eventually eat the ends of the bushings.
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
Thanks for the replies, gents. I was looking at Opt Offroad, their upper/lower link kit is like $739
There are others for more but Jason's stuff seems reputable. Front Range is another option I found for about 200 less ($513) without the Opt logo on it lol
 
Last edited:

Dezert4Runner

Pineapples belong on pizza
Joined
Oct 23, 2018
Messages
1,172
Thanks for the replies, gents. I was looking at Opt Offroad, their upper/lower link kit is like $739
There are others for more but Jason's stuff seems reputable. Front Range is another option I found for about 200 less ($513) without the Opt logo on it lol
The OPT links use Johnny Joints and the FROR links use heims, so they’re not apples to apples. I went with the FROR links because of price and I don’t mind the small inconvenience of lubing once every 6 weeks or so. They do transfer more harmonics through the frame though.
 

4runner DOA

Hold my beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2018
Messages
15,882
Location
OC
The OPT links use Johnny Joints and the FROR links use heims, so they’re not apples to apples. I went with the FROR links because of price and I don’t mind the small inconvenience of lubing once every 6 weeks or so. They do transfer more harmonics through the frame though.

You can rebuild Johnny joints. You have to replace heims. Not sure what the cost difference is because I trashed my heimed lower links around the time I needed to replace the heims. Probably need to pull my current links and check for play in my JJs since they've been on for a couple years now.
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
The OPT links use Johnny Joints and the FROR links use heims, so they’re not apples to apples. I went with the FROR links because of price and I don’t mind the small inconvenience of lubing once every 6 weeks or so. They do transfer more harmonics through the frame though.

You can rebuild Johnny joints. You have to replace heims. Not sure what the cost difference is because I trashed my heimed lower links around the time I needed to replace the heims. Probably need to pull my current links and check for play in my JJs since they've been on for a couple years now.

Good point, JJ vs Heim.

Another option is Overland Custom Designs
 

AssBurns

will wheel for beer
Staff member
Joined
Oct 1, 2018
Messages
7,959
Age
31
Location
Yucaipa, CA
Thanks for the replies, gents. I was looking at Opt Offroad, their upper/lower link kit is like $739
There are others for more but Jason's stuff seems reputable. Front Range is another option I found for about 200 less ($513) without the Opt logo on it lol
Like @Dezert4Runner said, comparing FROR to the Opt Offroad ones is not apples to apples. Heims suck TBH. They wear faster, make more noise, transfer more road vibration and put more stress on the bolt holes which will lead to wallowing out the holes if not corrected with weld washers. If I were to buy links, I'd go with Opt Offroad stuff for sure.

When it comes to adjustable uppers vs lowers, chances are on these 3rd gens that you will be making more adjustments to your lowers than your uppers. The UCA's are already close to the rear crossmember so lengthening them could cause bigger issues. (ask me how I know...) To correct the pinion angle you'll actually need to shorten the lowers a little bit. This shouldn't be an issue since there is usually tire clearance between the front of the wheel well and tire. Everyone wants to lengthen their control arms as if it will actually make a difference in geometry by increasing the length half an inch in either direction. Hint: it won't.
Now when it comes to strength, having those Opt Offroad uppers is a great idea, but I wouldn't stress on the adjustability part since extending them half an inch might actually cause bigger issues.
 

Octanejunkie

Just another jagoff with a 4x4
Joined
Nov 2, 2018
Messages
612
Thanks @AssBurns

If the uppers can't really be extended, much, is there any value in replacing them, or only just to strengthen them? What about modified uppers, extended 1/4" replacing the toothpicks with 1" or 1.5" DOM tubing?
Would there be any value in making them able to rotate 45° or more CW and CCW?
 
Joined
Sep 25, 2021
Messages
257
Location
Roaming
For what it's worth I'm from the opposite side of the spectrum from @AssBurns . I'm a 2wd to 4x4 conversion so my stock lowers were shorter than stock lowers on 4wd models. I also lifted more than 3" so my pinion angle was severely off. I lengthened my lowers due to this and had to also lengthen my uppers to correct pinion angle. Keep in mind the difference in 2wd versus 4x4 ( double cardian) drivelines that affected my driveline as well. I still maintain if you are messing with rear geometry both uppers and lowers are good to have to dial things in.
 
Joined
Dec 1, 2020
Messages
404
I'm a 2wd to 4x4 conversion so my stock lowers were shorter than stock lowers on 4wd models.
R u sure about this... To my knowledge the lowers are the same, it's the uppers that are diff lengths to correct for pinion angle...??
 
Top Bottom