I've read a ton of threads about the Duroflex joints and as it stands I'm leaning tword a complete set of MetalCloak aluminum double-adjustable ones. Since I'm considering spending $1300ish to get them I wanted to get more opinions from you guys before taking the plunge. The other option I am looking at are Curry/Savvy arms w/Johnnys. The aluminum part isn't a huge deal but I do like the hex-shape of the Aluminum MC ones for making adjustments easier. They are close enough in price not to matter in that respect.
Watching the Metalcloak vids seems to indicate they actually have more flex than JJs but this is coming from the manufacturer. From what I could tell in the videos it is mostly the wider housing of the JJ that was limiting articulation. That's is what was hitting the bracket and stopping the JJ from articulating more in the video anyway.
There is also a lot of talk about Duroflex reducing vibration and harshness - that's all well and good but that benefit is near the bottom of my list of concerns. I'm looking for maximum flex - probably with a 4" coil lift.
Can anyone say for sure the MC joints have more articulation than the Curry Johnny Joints? A lesser concern is longevity. I do see where they seem to last a long time but it is a rubber-type compound that is flexing a lot more than regular clevite-type bushings do. I have to think they will wear out eventually...then I'll have to hope MetalCloak is still around and selling enough replacements to continue making them. The JJ seems to be less proprietary but I can't really tell. I saw somewhere that at least some MC joints may be able to be swapped into a JJ housing but again...I can't really tell.
I really like the double-adjustability of the aluminum ones so I can install them now and then just adjust them in place when I get new coils. I plan to get adjustable track bars as well. My current plan is to get the control arms, track bars and brake extensions installed with the stock coils. When all that is in place it'll just be a matter of getting some coils/shocks and steering pieces to round out what I consider an ideal setup. The finishing touches will be a SLE and front Antirock. Of course, along the way I'll be sure the other parts I get don't limit the flex I get w/the control arms in some other way.
Watching the Metalcloak vids seems to indicate they actually have more flex than JJs but this is coming from the manufacturer. From what I could tell in the videos it is mostly the wider housing of the JJ that was limiting articulation. That's is what was hitting the bracket and stopping the JJ from articulating more in the video anyway.
There is also a lot of talk about Duroflex reducing vibration and harshness - that's all well and good but that benefit is near the bottom of my list of concerns. I'm looking for maximum flex - probably with a 4" coil lift.
Can anyone say for sure the MC joints have more articulation than the Curry Johnny Joints? A lesser concern is longevity. I do see where they seem to last a long time but it is a rubber-type compound that is flexing a lot more than regular clevite-type bushings do. I have to think they will wear out eventually...then I'll have to hope MetalCloak is still around and selling enough replacements to continue making them. The JJ seems to be less proprietary but I can't really tell. I saw somewhere that at least some MC joints may be able to be swapped into a JJ housing but again...I can't really tell.
I really like the double-adjustability of the aluminum ones so I can install them now and then just adjust them in place when I get new coils. I plan to get adjustable track bars as well. My current plan is to get the control arms, track bars and brake extensions installed with the stock coils. When all that is in place it'll just be a matter of getting some coils/shocks and steering pieces to round out what I consider an ideal setup. The finishing touches will be a SLE and front Antirock. Of course, along the way I'll be sure the other parts I get don't limit the flex I get w/the control arms in some other way.
