I am looking into getting some gussets welded to my d30 and doing some research on that...

Right now it doesn't seem like it would be worth the extra install cost to sleeve the axle at the same time (since I am not regearing it would require a lot more work than just welding the gussets).

I have also read that even though you don't have to, a lot of places want to take out the ball joints when they do the install. Since aftermarket ball joints appear to be relatively cheap I figured I could go ahead and replace the front ball joints while I am doing the gussets.

My question is what brands of ball joints would be a good upgrade over the oem ones?

 

If you have larger tires already and/or done a lot of rough trails or you have over say 40k miles then I would chage the ball joint no question. If this is a low milage jeep then you could sugest a cold rag to the welder to delay this cost.

 

cool thanks for the suggestion. I am talking to a few shops right now to see if they have done gussets before and and how they like to do it.

 

If you decide to replace the ball joints DO NOT USE CHEAP BALL JOINTS!!!! Get some qualaty ball joints from Moog or Dynatrac. There may be others but stay away from cheap.

 

I didn't want to afford the Dynatrac's although they are the best so I went with MOOG. They are around $105 each. Good quality.

 

First shop I emailed about the C's is trying to push sleeves, ball joints and gussets on me for $1378 installed (parts and labor) I emailed them back asking for just the price of the gussets... i'll see what they say.

Based on what WOL has said in other threads I could probably get by with just C's but its going to take me some time finding a place to weld those on...

 

There is one other opton. I will just throw this out there. I'm not sure how many people have tried this but I know there are some on this board that have made the purchase.

Purejeep makes a Backbone Gusset. It can be used in lieu of sleeving the axle. There is a thread somewhere on this board. Just found it. https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/spon...et-kit-205776/

I have actually purchased the backbone but have not had time to get my c gussets or backbone installed.

 

River Raider sells a similar set up. That is the route I plan to go when funds allow.

 

the shops in question only want to remove the ball joints so that they can protect them from the heat generated from welding on the gussets. this heat will destroy the plastic bushings inside and that will result in things like death wobble. a good shop can do it without removing the ball joints but, it takes more time and a lot of cooling in between welds. it really isn't needed unless they are bad but, if you do get new ball joints, i would highly recommend dynatrac pro steers. yes, they are very pricey but, they will be the last set of ball joints you will most likely ever need. Another BIG bonus of the ProSteer ball joints over OE and ANY OTHER aftermarket ball joints you can get is that they have a different method of operation. OE and ALL other aftermarket ball joints have a bottom joint that pivots and a top joint that allows up and down motion but no pivot. unlike any other ball joint available, the pro steers have a bottom joint that allows pivot and, a top joint that goes up and down AND pivots. this helps keep the ball joints aligned with each other and without binding. they are worth every penny.

it's all that i have used in the past and still use on our new 2012 running 37's now.

 

Will they fit with rcv's? I've heard different things.