New Control Arms?

[nld1299]

So I just bought a 6.5” Maxtrac lift kit for my 2017 2WD Ram 1500. My mechanic who is installing my lift and has installed multiple lifts in his time as a mechanic says that I don’t need new control arms. My buddy who also has a Dodge Ram (4WD stock suspension) says that I will need new control arms and told me that Dodges are known for having control arms that snap easily especially after a heavy lift kit like this one. Can anybody tell me if I really do need to get new control arms or not? And if so, what’s a good brand or best quality?

 

[RedSRT4Me]

So I just bought a 6.5” Maxtrac lift kit for my 2017 2WD Ram 1500. My mechanic who is installing my lift and has installed multiple lifts in his time as a mechanic says that I don’t need new control arms. My buddy who also has a Dodge Ram (4WD stock suspension) says that I will need new control arms and told me that Dodges are known for having control arms that snap easily especially after a heavy lift kit like this one. Can anybody tell me if I really do need to get new control arms or not? And if so, what’s a good brand or best quality?

As long as the truck aligns and the ball joints are good run the stock arms.

My upper ball joints died around 40k on the lift. I went with the maxtrac forged control arm upgrade.

My lower ball joints died at 65k give or take and I replaced them with moog problem solvers.

I've replaced the suspension parts as they have worn out. No sense in replacing a perfectly good part.

 

[OCbuilder]

Short answer, no you do not “need” them. Is it a good idea to give you piece of mind now and save you a headache in the future? Absolutely.
If your budget allows, do it, IMO. Especially if you find yourself occasionally off roading.

Lift coils caused my stock arms to hit the coil bucket when the suspension would go into full droop, like when going too quick over a large speed bump. The installer said it wouldn’t be an issue, but I often find myself on backroads while hunting and didn’t want to find out the hard way he was wrong.

I have CST arms, which aren’t cheap but are very well built. Maxtrac has arms that are a bit cheaper and I’ve always seen good things said about them.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

With a 6”+ lift kit, adj rear arms are needed to “Re-Center” the rear wheels from the increased lift. Also pro comp rear control arm drop brackets are needed to keep factory driveline angles.
I made 2” OD .250 Wall DOM tube control arms. Both ends use SPC sealed adj joints and have a hex head machinedinto the tube adaptor. Fully Tig welded.
These are the only arms that are adjustable while mounted on the vehicle.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Fully Tig welded. Same size tubing that rock bouncers use. Any tubing thicker than .250 Wall is overkill and just adds unnecessary weight.

 

[olyelr]

Heard good things about Core 4x4...

https://www.core4x4.com/model/dodge-ram-1500/

 

[Graygoose]

So I just bought a 6.5” Maxtrac lift kit for my 2017 2WD Ram 1500. My mechanic who is installing my lift and has installed multiple lifts in his time as a mechanic says that I don’t need new control arms. My buddy who also has a Dodge Ram (4WD stock suspension) says that I will need new control arms and told me that Dodges are known for having control arms that snap easily especially after a heavy lift kit like this one. Can anybody tell me if I really do need to get new control arms or not? And if so, what’s a good brand or best quality?

Your buddy with a 4x4 may need new control arms, if you bought the Maxtrac, similar to mine, it uses new spindles, so it keeps the Upper control arms in alignment.