Radius arm upgrade
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
Radius arm upgrade
Im looking to replace the stock radius arms with either Carli or Kryptonite. Would like to do the job myself. Is there anything besides supporting truck at axle and frame that I need to consider?
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,384
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From: Frederick, MD
Obviously one at a time comes to mind. I would put the front end up on jack stands under the axle to give you a bit of room. I don't think any other requirements are needed. Have a torque wrench capable of torgueing the bolts as needed?
Are the ones on the truck wore out?
Are the ones on the truck wore out?
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 229
From: Gulf Coast, FL
I'd suggest getting two jacks under the front of the vehicle. Then remove all the mounting nuts, leave the bolts in place. Then lifting the frame, you can check the bolts to see if they slide out. As you get to the point the bolts easily come out, remove them all around. With your new radius arms you can do the same for the install, just the opposite process, or just follow the installation instructions.
I'd use OneUpOffroad radius arms.
I'd use OneUpOffroad radius arms.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
No. Just upgrading. I know, torque is over 200 on those suckers.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 475
Only snug down the hardware when you reassemble it. Put the full vehicle weight on the suspension and bounce it a few times so it settles in, then toque everything to spec. That way you don't get any bind in the joints.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 554
not necessary on most aftermarket joints but its still good practice. i've seen alotta of preloaded bushings that led to torn bushings lol. stock style bushings suckkkkkkkkkk
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2022
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Been trying to read up on this, but not much luck finding info. This is a beneficial upgrade, is it not?
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
Would after market RA take out some of the bump rattle?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,336
they probably have a -44 to -51 offset.
which puts you at like 4.77 to 4.47 backspacing.
that backspacing is what matters. You could have a 14” wide wheel & as long as backspacing stays acceptable then it won’t rub on the radius arms/sway bar.
what you will be fighting though, with wider wheels, is rubbing on the bumper OR the rear of the fender wheels well opening….where some plastic trimming helps in a lot of cases
and a bumper spacer could help on the frontside where it may or may not try to rub on the bumper/front valance.
then last but not least, it might also depend how you use your truck. If you stay on the road mostly you might not rub. But for someone who cycles the front suspension travel of their truck with the wheels turned….well they might find they need more trimming still.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
why is that surprising?
they probably have a -44 to -51 offset.
which puts you at like 4.77 to 4.47 backspacing.
that backspacing is what matters. You could have a 14” wide wheel & as long as backspacing stays acceptable then it won’t rub on the radius arms/sway bar.
what you will be fighting though, with wider wheels, is rubbing on the bumper OR the rear of the fender wheels well opening….where some plastic trimming helps in a lot of cases
and a bumper spacer could help on the frontside where it may or may not try to rub on the bumper/front valance.
then last but not least, it might also depend how you use your truck. If you stay on the road mostly you might not rub. But for someone who cycles the front suspension travel of their truck with the wheels turned….well they might find they need more trimming still.
they probably have a -44 to -51 offset.
which puts you at like 4.77 to 4.47 backspacing.
that backspacing is what matters. You could have a 14” wide wheel & as long as backspacing stays acceptable then it won’t rub on the radius arms/sway bar.
what you will be fighting though, with wider wheels, is rubbing on the bumper OR the rear of the fender wheels well opening….where some plastic trimming helps in a lot of cases
and a bumper spacer could help on the frontside where it may or may not try to rub on the bumper/front valance.
then last but not least, it might also depend how you use your truck. If you stay on the road mostly you might not rub. But for someone who cycles the front suspension travel of their truck with the wheels turned….well they might find they need more trimming still.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,336
Only had the truck for a couple of months. Haven’t ‘really’ had it off road yet. May very well rub with only a 2” lift. I’m still learning so appreciate all of the info. Will OUO radius arms improve the ride quality any? For what it’s worth I do have Fox shocks front and rear. And frankly it doesn’t ride all that bad.
some aftermarket arms might even feel worse depending on the type of joints they have and how much feedback they’ll transfer to the truck
i currently have plow springs with a 2” spacer and the little caster cams to gain some caster back
but alignment was only able to get 1.X deg caster.
I wanted a hair more and also wanted to correct sway bar angle etc
so in my goal of trying to piece together some stuff I started looking at the price and realized for a little more I could get a full bds 4” lift kit and also get the dual stabilizer. Also got rid of the spacer and now have a front spring lift as a plus.
My goal was to correct the angles in the front end…..I got the kit for $2300 with fox 2.0s and the dual stabilizer. Rabbit hole I suppose lol.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 31
Likes: 4
in all honesty, if your axle positioning is good and you have enough caster they’re not likely to make a night and day difference
some aftermarket arms might even feel worse depending on the type of joints they have and how much feedback they’ll transfer to the truck
i currently have plow springs with a 2” spacer and the little caster cams to gain some caster back
but alignment was only able to get 1.X deg caster.
I wanted a hair more and also wanted to correct sway bar angle etc
so in my goal of trying to piece together some stuff I started looking at the price and realized for a little more I could get a full bds 4” lift kit and also get the dual stabilizer. Also got rid of the spacer and now have a front spring lift as a plus.
My goal was to correct the angles in the front end…..I got the kit for $2300 with fox 2.0s and the dual stabilizer. Rabbit hole I suppose lol.
some aftermarket arms might even feel worse depending on the type of joints they have and how much feedback they’ll transfer to the truck
i currently have plow springs with a 2” spacer and the little caster cams to gain some caster back
but alignment was only able to get 1.X deg caster.
I wanted a hair more and also wanted to correct sway bar angle etc
so in my goal of trying to piece together some stuff I started looking at the price and realized for a little more I could get a full bds 4” lift kit and also get the dual stabilizer. Also got rid of the spacer and now have a front spring lift as a plus.
My goal was to correct the angles in the front end…..I got the kit for $2300 with fox 2.0s and the dual stabilizer. Rabbit hole I suppose lol.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,336
sway bar drop
bump stop drop
pitman arm
4” lift springs in front
rear leaf spring blocks (you could option in new leaves, i didn’t)
radius arms (beefy, look nice & get me the caster I wanted)
track bar relo bracket
i think some brackets for the brake lines
other small items
fox 2.0 shocks all 4 corners
dual steering stabilizer with fox 2.0s (helps with heavier 37s)
I think that covers the major components
and like I said I got it on sale for $2300 with all the options I picked out. It’s $200 higher than a couple weeks ago though.
bump stop drop
pitman arm
4” lift springs in front
rear leaf spring blocks (you could option in new leaves, i didn’t)
radius arms (beefy, look nice & get me the caster I wanted)
track bar relo bracket
i think some brackets for the brake lines
other small items
fox 2.0 shocks all 4 corners
dual steering stabilizer with fox 2.0s (helps with heavier 37s)
I think that covers the major components
and like I said I got it on sale for $2300 with all the options I picked out. It’s $200 higher than a couple weeks ago though.