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View Full Version : Short arms for TJ - JKS vs. Currie...



DAA
03-03-2007, 05:10 PM
I've ridden in a few TJ's running the JKS control arms. They ride great on the road. They use factory rubber bushings that do a great job isolating noise and vibration. Very smooth and quiet. But I like the design of the Currie arms, with the Johnny joints. Seems pretty clear that the Johnny joints will have less bind and flex better than the JKS arms. But, I've never ridden in a TJ running the Currie arms (or any arms with JJ's).

So... My question is, how do the Johnny joints compare to the factory rubber bushings as far as noise and vibration are concerned?

JP, I know you've had a ton of experience with Clayton suspensions, and I'm pretty sure they run Johnny joints don't they? I know it's totally apples and oranges comparing short arm to long arm, but I'd love to hear you opinion on how smooth and quiet the Johnny joints are on the hiway?

Sad fact is, most of the miles on my Jeep are hiway miles. And even most of my off road miles aren't flexing out. So, as much as I want to go for the flexy arms, I don't want to put up with too much more rattles and noise either.

Opinions?

- DAA

JP
03-03-2007, 08:55 PM
JP, I know you've had a ton of experience with Clayton suspensions, and I'm pretty sure they run Johnny joints don't they?
I'd love to hear you opinion on how smooth and quiet the Johnny joints are on the hiway?
Yes, Clayton uses JJ's with his suspensions. Short Arm vs. Long Arm, Long Arm hands down. The ride quality is better than stock. The advantage to the JJ is strength, movement and they can be greased and rebuilt. Last year before Moab we changed out the lower arms and I did away with the adjusters in the rear. My rig no longer sees any street use. :haha: When we broke down the JJ's, they were fine. My housings for them were filed down a bit by them damn rocks, but the original joints are back under my rig and I'm not one to grease things regularly like one should. :haha: The suspension under my rig is the prototype suspension (outside of the lower control arms again which were replaced last year) and the JJ's are the original ones used some eight years ago.
I would take the JJ over any other, it's been around for some time now. These have been tested and proved to be one of the best joints out there. They obviously flex better than that of the stock bushings and as far as being quiet, the only thing being heard is the hum of the tires :2thumbs:

Here is John Currie talking about the JJ.

The Johnny Joint (http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/johnnyjoints.aspx)

This is what the undercarriage of mine looked like just before the eight year old lower arms were laid to rest :mrgreen: Despite what that undercarriage looks like, the original JJ's are still under there today :2thumbs:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/Zukimog/P1010001-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/Zukimog/P1010014-1.jpg