Well, now I know why my alignment is off

[twalker920]

Both rear control arms are bent - one severely :(

The driver's side one is almost parallel to the frame for half its length!

I guess I'd better get some of those beefy ones installed. Where are those from?

Curse you, Spring Creek! You're going to make me put a lift on, bigger tires, better springs, more skid plates, fog lights, new tow rope, better speakers....

...wait, got carried away there for a sec.

Dang it.

[Triathlete]

You can straighten them with a bottle jack...i have done it several times prior to replacing with heavy duty. Two sources out there...most of us, me included, purchased from indy 4x. Stinky fab also does a great job and offees a few different options...including bent (for more clearance) and aluminum.

[bartmanS4]

Yeah, I bent mine on that run too Tom. Doesn't seem to pull one way or the other yet so I'll probably try Bill's bottle jack method.

[BigSwede]

They often come from the factory with a slight kink , about a third of the way from the front mount. But others were perfectly straight. But either way it sounds like one of them is tweaked...

[whitebreadx]

I have oem 12 springs with the 2.5 lift on my truck, the guy had told me because of such a small liff that I would have yo worry about ky ball joints. Lol well a year later and already gone through two replaced balljoints on the passanger side and now both of them are torn once again : ( are the ball joints from independent 4x the best ones to get?
https://www.independent4x.com/Isuzu-Premium-Ball-Joint-Set_p_33.html
Well im at it would these be good to get as wel?
https://www.independent4x.com/Isuzu-14-Ball-Joint-Spacers_p_26.html
And
https://www.independent4x.com/Isuzu-IFS-Heavy-Duty-Steering_p_27.html

[Triathlete]

You do not need the spacers.

[whitebreadx]

I have the OME 12 2.5 lift one my truck. When I purchased them I had asked the guy from independent 4x if I would have any problem with it ( particularly the ball joints). He informed me that because of such a small lift, that I wouldn't have to worry about it. Well after having the lift on for a year and having replaced my passanger side relpaced twice already and now both of them are torn pretty bad, I just want something that will work well
Are the premium BJ's from indy4x the best out there?
https://www.independent4x.com/Isuzu-Premium-Ball-Joint-Set_p_33.html
Well im at it would these be good to get to?
https://www.independent4x.com/Isuzu-IFS-Heavy-Duty-Steering_p_27.html
And
https://www.independent4x.com/Isuzu-14-Ball-Joint-Spacers_p_26.html

[tom4bren]

I have the HD ball joints & the HD tie rods. I've only had them on for about 6 months. They are really beefy so should hold up well but I can't vouch for their longevity yet. They do not come with zerk fittings installed. Make sure you put some on before you install.

I don't know of anyone who has the ball joint spacers. I'd like to give them a try though. Mebbe I'll get me some for Christmas:)

[JoFotoz]

I run OEM ball joints with HD tie rods...
...and Indy 4x4 adjustable rear links.

No issues with ball joints ( touch wood!)

HD Tie rods are a MUST IMO....seem many OEM snap.

Adjustable HD rear links are important too...
..both for strength...AND the ability to center rear axle
after it rotates fwd due to lift.

Jo

[BigSwede]

The ball joint spacer is for camber correction after a lift. You generally don't need the ball joint spacers unless you have 3" lift or more.

[tom4bren]

The ball joint spacer is for camber correction after a lift. You generally don't need the ball joint spacers unless you have 3" lift or more.

Alignment guy said that I was at the end of my camber adjustment so the spacers are definitely on my wish list now.

[whitebreadx]

Where are thead ajustable rear links ?
http://www.independent4x.com/Isuzu-Store_c_8.html

[Triathlete]

Here you go WB...
http://independent4x.3dcartstores.com/Isuzu-Extreme-Duty-Rear-Lower-Links-adjustable_p_24.html

[Triathlete]

And here is the selection from StinkyFab...
http://www.stinkyfab.com/axle-parts/heavy-duty-suspension-links-for-isuzus.html

And StinkyFab aluminum...
http://www.stinkyfab.com/axle-parts/7075-aluminum-suspension-links-3.html

[JoFotoz]

Only issue I've had with the INDY 4x4 adjustables...

...is getting the lock nuts to hold tight.

Oyjer than that..they ROCK..and bounce off Rocks!

Jo

[VXorado]

Or a cheaper route would be to weld in a some right angle steel onto the OEM links. That should beef them up enough for rocks. Not adjustable but would only cost about $20 in supplies and an hr on the welder.

I'm planning to weld up mine (if I can straighten them) this winter. Let me know if any other CO VXers want to go this direction, I could lend a hand or some welding...

...and you're not alone Tom. My driver side link is severely bent but it doesn't seem to throw off my steering much.

[VXorado]

Only issue I've had with the INDY 4x4 adjustables...

...is getting the lock nuts to hold tight.

Oyjer than that..they ROCK..and bounce off Rocks!

Jo

Hmmm, maybe some loctite would do the trick?

[pbkid]

Or a cheaper route would be to weld in a some right angle steel onto the OEM links.
Thats my plan once i get some replacement Toyota ones to fix the severly bent ones i have :)

[JoFotoz]

Yup...


Hmmm, maybe some loctite would do the trick?

... eventually, for sure.

Still playing with axle position right now.

Jo

[VXorado]

Thats my plan once i get some replacement Toyota ones to fix the severly bent ones i have :)

I'll let you know when I plan to fix mine, maybe we can knock them out together.



Still playing with axle position right now.

Jo

Sure, slacker!!! :p

[JoFotoz]

DUDE...


Sure, slacker!!! :p

...let me believe..what I wanna believe
:p


jo

[Triathlete]

Only issue I've had with the INDY 4x4 adjustables...

...is getting the lock nuts to hold tight.

Oyjer than that..they ROCK..and bounce off Rocks!

Jo

Jo, I used loctite and a big f'n adjustable wrench plus a big ol pipe wrench :)

[Triathlete]

Or a cheaper route would be to weld in a some right angle steel onto the OEM links. That should beef them up enough for rocks. Not adjustable but would only cost about $20 in supplies and an hr on the welder.

I'm planning to weld up mine (if I can straighten them) this winter. Let me know if any other CO VXers want to go this direction, I could lend a hand or some welding...

...and you're not alone Tom. My driver side link is severely bent but it doesn't seem to throw off my steering much.

Even better would be to cut one end off and sleeve them and weld the end back on.

[Gizmo42]

Or a cheaper route would be to weld in a some right angle steel onto the OEM links. That should beef them up enough for rocks. Not adjustable but would only cost about $20 in supplies and an hr on the welder.

Thats what I have on mine. Bent my original ones the first or 2nd year I went to Moab. When BigPappaX2 upgraded to the HD ones I bought his that he had welded angle iron to. Havent bent one yet. I know rodeos have shorter rear links then VX and trooper so YMMV.

[whitebreadx]

So then if my links are currently not bent, would if still be okay to weld a right angle steel on to them? What is the benifit of having adjustable links?

[whitebreadx]

Do you guse suggest the indy 4x Isuzu Steering Stabilizers?

[Gizmo42]

So then if my links are currently not bent, would if still be okay to weld a right angle steel on to them? What is the benifit of having adjustable links?

Its best to do before they are bent. Once links bend they are weakened a bit. Adjustable is good for tuning pinion angle, getting a little more length for tire clearance, and making sure the axle is square to the frame.

[whitebreadx]

Oh okay cool well mine aren't bent so I think I might just weld a right angle piece of steel on my self thanks guys. : )a

[JoFotoz]

X2 ..what Gizmo says.

If you have lifted already..and are happy with the pinion angle/spline depth..
...and axle is squeared up and reasonably centered...

...then youre fine simply beefing up the OEM links.

Jo

[twalker920]

My driver's side link is severely bent...we're talking politician bent here. I'll post a photo later. Passenger side might be ok to straighten, but I'm thinking I'll just replace them with HD ones.

Looking at the indy4x links you all have posted already, which kit do I choose for the VX? The 2 piece trooper one?

If any Denver peeps have any time coming up some weekend maybe you would be up for helping with the install for some beer and pizza? :)

Edit: here's a pic of the bad one... it's bent in both the vertical and horizontal plane.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/IMAG0763.jpg

[bartmanS4]

I'd be up for a wrenching day. I just sent StinkyFab an email question about their links. Haven't decided which to go with yet, Indy or Stinky. Either way though I'd be up for helping out. I'm not in much of a hurry to do mine 'cause it seems to be driving just fine. I do need to replace my wheel bearings one of these days though too.
BTW StinkFab does list the same lower links for the Trooper and VX as the same part and yes just the two piece lower links should suffice.

[LittleBeast]

Hmmm, maybe some loctite would do the trick?

Big 'ole adjustable wrench and some man power is what is making mine hold tight. It is about a 45-46mm nut on there, haha. Pretty massive.


Haven't decided which to go with yet, Indy or Stinky.

I would say Indy4x adjustable lower links. I have the adjustable lower links and the adjustable upper link, gives you great options when setting up pinion angle and dealing with driveshaft issues, and there is no way you would ever break one. Always better to have more options, and the adjustable links are perfect for that, and it gives you more grease points to quiet your ride down.