Modifying rear control arms ?

[eighty8]

Hey all,
just wondering if anyone has modified their gq patrol trailing arms. The diff angle on mine has lifted up or rearward with the 4' lift which bows the springs and angles the shock mounts.

Unbolted the upper arms and dropped the diff down to measure how far forward they would need to move to make the diff level, and came up with 17mm.

Has anybody shortened and strengthed their control arms with any success, or is it a waist of time ?.

I know adjustables are available but as always looking at different options.

cheers..

[MKPatrolGuy]

Rather than shortening the uppers I'd lengthen the lowers. Use thick walled tubing, the factory arms are only 2.5mm seamed tube.

[Bartso]

Rather than shortening the uppers I'd lengthen the lowers. Use thick walled tubing, the factory arms are only 2.5mm seamed tube.

exactly if you shorten your uppers you will be also shortening your tail shaft lengthen your lowers or you can buy heavy duty lower adjustable arms

[JemmyBubbles]

IMHO if you can afford it grab some off cheezy and get some new bushes while your at it. If you don't have the $$$$ definately extend your lowers.

I haven't actually seen any tech on how to actually do it, maybe someone with some working knowledge could post up a guide ya. My old man cut his in two and sleaved/lengthened them with some fat assed tube. When you cut the OE's in half to sleave you will nearly die with shock as to how thin they actually are.

Also note that there is a little bit of triangulation in the lower arms in the factory 5 link rear. Thus the rear lower arms aren't perfectly straight, they are slightly offset. When you pull them out you will see. Just note that there is a RIGHT/WRONG way to do them.... as I may/may not have learned through personally experience

[eighty8]

Thanks for the responses.

I was thinking of extending the lowers, its just that under full compression the tyre just touches the edge of the rear 1/4, (cut 1/4's and 33's), I thought by fitting extended lowers it would force the tyre further rearward and into the panel.
Is my thinking right or have I got it wrong?

cheers, alex

[Big Red Toy]

get longer lower arms, there are some for sale on ebay

[MKPatrolGuy]

Thanks for the responses.

I was thinking of extending the lowers, its just that under full compression the tyre just touches the edge of the rear 1/4, (cut 1/4's and 33's), I thought by fitting extended lowers it would force the tyre further rearward and into the panel.
Is my thinking right or have I got it wrong?

cheers, alex

Just trim the back of the guard a bit to solve the rubbing.

[ludacris]

I am guessing that you have a LWB. There will be no ill effects of leaving the arms as they are but it is a good idea to atleast strengthen the lower arms by welding a piece of flat on top of them.

LudaCris