Bansheeb0y5505 Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Hey guys. I'm thinking of making my own +2 +1 J-arms. My plan is to buy YFZ450 bottom arms, and then fabricate my own upper J-arm. I have a machine shop, welder, and tubing bender so I really don't see why I couldn't? I was thinking, cut off the J-arm but leave the round part that bolts to the frame, and cut the part that holds the ball joint off. At that point I would get a really thick, strong tubing. Do some measurements and come up with a bend to make it +1 foward and +2 out. Reinforce the tubing where I weld it to the round part that bolts to the frame, and reinforce the ball joint area. It's not so much hard work as it is a lot of measuring. What do you guys think? AND NO, A-ARM CONVERSION IS NOT AN OPTION.. I like J-arms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamaboybv Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Go for it, but why cut the ball joints off the old J-Arms...that is why people hate them beacause they are so weak. So it would be kinda dumb to put the stock ball joints on something that is made for performance. I say get some aftermarket ball joints, and tie rod ends. And then once you get your set made and they are tweaked and perfect. then you can make me sum Good Luck keep me informed because I am thinking of doing the same thing because extended j's are hard as hell to find Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bansheeb0y5505 Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Go for it, but why cut the ball joints off the old J-Arms...that is why people hate them beacause they are so weak. So it would be kinda dumb to put the stock ball joints on something that is made for performance. I say get some aftermarket ball joints, and tie rod ends. And then once you get your set made and they are tweaked and perfect. then you can make me sum Good Luck keep me informed because I am thinking of doing the same thing because extended j's are hard as hell to find Yeah. Nothings guarenteed that im going to make them, but im definitely thinkin about it. I guess I could weld a nut to the inside of the tube and put in an aftermarket threaded heim. I know where to get extended J-arms, they are just so expensive Metal Tech makes em. $430 for bare metal. +2 +1's. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glassjawjm Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Yeah. Nothings guarenteed that im going to make them, but im definitely thinkin about it. I guess I could weld a nut to the inside of the tube and put in an aftermarket threaded heim. I know where to get extended J-arms, they are just so expensive Metal Tech makes em. $430 for bare metal. +2 +1's. lol $430 for both upper and lower, can you still use stock suspension? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiftdT4R Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 I think this is a good idea!! I'm going to start a j-arm build soon, and Ive been pretty disappointed at how expensive +2+1 j-arms are for how simple they look. I only spent $200 for a used set of +2+1 A-arms, and they were in awesome shape!! Let us know how you progress if you had some build pics that would be awesome too!! Good luck!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbody Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 This is a very interresting topic i to like the j-arms but don't wont to spend the money for extended ones . When your done plaese post some pics so that everyone can see the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKheathen Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 just go down to the parts store and match up some automotive tie rod ball joints to the spindles. they are cheaper, easier to find, greaseable, and i know they work. i just can't remember the p/n. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glassjawjm Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 Can you use stock shocks with extended arms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bamaboybv Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Yeah. Nothings guarenteed that im going to make them, but im definitely thinkin about it. I guess I could weld a nut to the inside of the tube and put in an aftermarket threaded heim. I know where to get extended J-arms, they are just so expensive Metal Tech makes em. $430 for bare metal. +2 +1's. lol yea I meant Expensive!! This is a good thread man. If we put our heads together at least 1 person's set of arms might come out right then we will have a good blueprint for them. I am gonna start measuring and reasearching. Auto ball joints soound good I just gotta find the right size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKheathen Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 start with gm 1/2 ton pickup, then fullsize car, then compact. one will fit fine, and would be the cheapest (price wise) and most readily availiable. or, try toyota/nissan 4x for a male thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellar Performance Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I can tell you that even using the 14mm tie rod ends for ball joints, you are still going to spend about $17-$25 each. You might as well call metal tech and buy ball joints that are designed for the yamaha spindle. They are 16mm, nice and beefy, and I believe they cost around 25.00 each. Dont sell yourself short trying to save 15-20 on a very important part if you are trying to build a nice set of arms. I know that it seems like 430.00 is expensive for a set of arms. My drag J-arm kit sells for 420.00 in a bare finish. But I can tell you that you get what you pay for (in most cases). There are quite a few companies out there that offer cheap product and thats exactly what you get. Ive had some people send me links to other companies products asking me what I thought about them. I refuse to mention other companies names in a negative manner. But make sure you are understanding what you are getting. What materials (mild steel, DOM, 4130, etc.), welds (mig, tig), etc. I am all for the do-it-yourself guys. In some ways that how I got started doing what I do now. You will never know what you are capable of unless you try. I say give it a go and see what you can do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry's Shee Posted August 15, 2009 Report Share Posted August 15, 2009 Lower joint yfz 450, all ballz, $20, right taper for spindle. Just my .02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bansheeb0y5505 Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Sorry I haven't responded in a while! I was on vacation. I haven't even started to think about the whole J-arm thing yet. I'll take some measurements and maybe draw something up on cardboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bansheeb0y5505 Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Oh and yes, you can use stock shocks on extended J-arms. It will just increase the leverage on the shocks and make them a little softer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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