Starting Control Arm and Track Bar Lengths from Core 4x4

[wkelley70]

Maybe this will help someone out.

This is a chart of the starting control arm and track bar lengths from Core 4x4 (bolt center to bolt center):

TJ/LJ Length Chart
Stock
2"
3"
4"
5"
6"
Front Lowers
15-3/4"
15-7/8"
16"
16-3/8"
16-5/8"
17"
Front Uppers
15"
15"
15"
15-1/8"
15-1/4"
15-1/2"
Rear Lowers
15-3/4"
15-7/8"
16"
16-3/8"
16-5/8"
17"
Rear Uppers
13.5"
13.75"
14"
14"
14-3/8"
14-1/2"
Front Track Bar
31.562"
31.66"
31.75"
31.875"
32"
32.125"
Rear Track Bar
32-3/8"
32-1/2"
32-5/8"
32-3/4"
32-7/8"
33"

 

[jjvw]

Maybe this will help someone out.

This is a chart of the starting control arm and track bar lengths from Core 4x4 (bolt center to bolt center):

TJ/LJ Length Chart
Stock
2"
3"
4"
5"
6"
Front Lowers
15-3/4"
15-7/8"
16"
16-3/8"
16-5/8"
17"
Front Uppers
15"
15"
15"
15-1/8"
15-1/4"
15-1/2"
Rear Lowers
15-3/4"
15-7/8"
16"
16-3/8"
16-5/8"
17"
Rear Uppers
13.5"
13.75"
14"
14"
14-3/8"
14-1/2"
Front Track Bar
31.562"
31.66"
31.75"
31.875"
32"
32.125"
Rear Track Bar
32-3/8"
32-1/2"
32-5/8"
32-3/4"
32-7/8"
33"

Pick whatever starting length you want. It can be the length that the arm fell out of the box with. That is as perfect as any other starting length is.

This chart helps no one out because it does not matter what the starting length is. All that matters is the final length. The final length is not affected by whatever the starting length was.

 

[wkelley70]

For people like me who have not setup control arms and track bars it gives us a good starting point. It saves a few itterations of removing one end of the arm adjusting then putting it back.

 

[jjvw]

For people like me who have not setup control arms and track bars it gives us a good starting point. It saves a few itterations of removing one end of the arm adjusting then putting it back.

Core's chart does none of that for you.

 

[RS Hill]

When I installed my Core arms those got me close but the axle wasn’t centered etc. Those are a general rule of thumb to get you in the ball park.

I can measure my control arms and track bar on Friday when I get back in town but that information might not work for you, but happy to measure for you. All it will do is get you close like the attached specs do.

 

[jjvw]

When I installed my Core arms those got me close but the axle wasn’t centered etc. Those are a general rule of thumb to get you in the ball park.

I can measure my control arms and track bar on Friday when I get back in town but that information might not work for you, but happy to measure for you. All it will do is get you close like the attached specs do.

Your information will not work for him. This is why there is no startng length that is any better than any other starting length.

 

[Unique Username]

I feel like this chart has a bunch of people driving around with upper control arms in a bind. How long did they struggled to install them because they were convinced they had to be identical in length. How many people used ratchet straps to force everything into place or to make that track bar fit this number posted. How many Jeeps have the pinion incorrect because they believe this number to be the answer. Core would almost be better not posting anything at all.

 

[jjvw]

I feel like this chart has a bunch of people driving around with upper control arms in a bind. How long did they struggled to install them because they were convinced they had to be identical in length. How many people used ratchet straps to force everything into place or to make that track bar fit this number posted. How many Jeeps have the pinion incorrect because they believe this number to be the answer. Core would almost be better not posting anything at all.

Core would serve their customers better by teaching them what the goals of adjusted length control arms are. Those goals are achieved without ever knowing a single length measurement.

 

[wkelley70]

When I installed my Core arms those got me close but the axle wasn’t centered etc. Those are a general rule of thumb to get you in the ball park.

I can measure my control arms and track bar on Friday when I get back in town but that information might not work for you, but happy to measure for you. All it will do is get you close like the attached specs do.

Thanks for the offer to measure your control arms, but I doubt any two jeeps are alike. I am just viewing this chart as somewhere to start. I am under no delusion that it contains my final numbers. ... or as someone mentioned above that the control arms (right/left) will end up the same length.

My jeep was pre-molested by a lift and some other work from the PO. 4" spring and some Rubicon Express/Bilstein 5100 shocks, OEM upper control arms aftermarket fixed lower control arms and a high-steer kit.

I am going back to Haltenberger steering and installing adjustable control arms/track bars all around. I am just happy to have some measurements with which to start ... especially for the front tack bar (not even close to OEM).

 

[RS Hill]

When I went through I did mine I was in the same boat. No Jeep is the same due to age and who knows what it’s been through.

I spent a lot of time between the front and rear axles adjusting the arms which seemed to be for too long, but that’s my issue being OCD. I found Cores measurements unhelpful and understand why they are. jjvw is spot on in what he says.