TTB Radius Arms - Superlift Replacements???

...I myself have recently became a victim of the broken Stupidlift, (AKA Superlift), radius arms......First, I will not even attempt to repair these arms but I will put them up for sale for someone else to work on...

..I had been wanting to upgrade my front end in the future but it seems I need to start doing this now...The only Radius arms that I have found as an upgrade replacement for the Superlift arms are, James Duff and Perry Mcneil's...Both of these with Heims will run about $600 bucks...

...My question is, are these the only real two alternatives I have???...I know BTF (brandon) makes them also and I might go that route...

...I am open to all suggestions while I am trying to save up for these...I really need to get the X back on the road but I only want to do the RA's one time...

...Pics and links are always helpful, Thanks...

calling dibs on the arms once you get the replacements.

...I forgot to mention like others, I have tried to find the info on the Zimmermann radius arms and only found dead links...

...If any body knows where to find the info and pics, please let me know...:biggthump

I'm pretty sure all the Zimmerman's did was use the stock radius arm and extended it with some tube and a heim. I would imagine that the Skyjackers and (maybe) Ranchos would work as well.

Pic of the Zimm.

i'll sell you my superlifts...

....I may be interested...Send me some pics, (or links) and info...:biggthump

EDIT: ...stock superlifts???...If so, no thank you...I want to replace with something I don't have to worry about (as much)...

...And thank you Froader...I remember reading that thread about 2 yrs ago...:scratch: ...and I thought it had a ton of pics...Now that I need to look at them they were gone..

Here tbars, this gives slightly more insight to what the Zimmerman's did...

http://explorer4x4.com/zims.htm

...Thanks, I've seen that and there is a link there for the "Full TTB description" which is no longer available....That had the really good stuff in it...:biggthump
http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/ford/zim/ttb.html

..Edit: I just found some info with the help of search...
...TTB radius arms
http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/zim/Taking-The-Ford-TTB/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/200905

..Ranger tips and tricks...Busted link..
http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=199130

they are stock superlifts...

tbars, the stock Stupidlifts would be fine if you just put a small plate on the top and bottom. That's how they "fixed" them originally, but you probably had the older design.

these have welded plates on the axle end.

:COUGH:

...Froader, I have small plates on mine and they broke where they ended...Could be the old ones...

...91rokkrawler, send me some pics so I can compare the plates and are yours heimed???...If not, I can get them modified if yours are cheep enough...

...Stic-o, fill in the blanks...*** H***...:

...Unless, I can get something thats cheap, geared, and ready to rock and roll soon...

Winter said he found a complete FW d44 geared with 5.13s on race-dezert for $250.

Guessing it's this one. - http://www.race-dezert.com/cgi-bin/trader/atl.cgi?ct=7&md=second&id=3557

...Thanks alot Froader...

..and so it begins...I sent the owner an email...If you guys see a poor guy outside your doors begging for food scraps, please feed me...

Ted I don't know if you really really need heims on an extended radius arm. Check out autofabs setup, they use a arm that uses a 70s F150 style bushing to increase flex. Not sure what that does to match your existing crossmember, but I know stock bushings don't fit on my radius arms. I do know that other things will limit the flex of my radius arms (bump travel with diff, axle plunge on down travel) and my truck cycles 16" without heims.

Now I think R.J. build a stock set of arms into extended arms. I did something similar on my solid axle setup so anything is possible, chop it up and make it stronger. If you do this, stock parts are the best to start with.

...Thanks for the heads up and I'll look into it...:biggthump

...I am at that crossroad and you guys know it very well...Do I pay to fix and replace existing or do I start the modifications one piece at a time...

...The broken RA's just happen to be my latest starting point on the front end and I know I'll be back in to replace the drivers side shaft sooner or later...I have also cut the rear front dual shock off of both sides and after the Ra's will be getting into a new single front shock system and will work around the Coil hoop or ditch it (really bad set up IMO) then on to the whole steering set up...The heims would rid me of the bushings...

...This is the only pic I could find of my cross member and I do have limiting straps...I still flex enugh to hit it...


...I received this the other day R.J....And I know he didn't get the Heims as they are $300 more...

R.J. said:

you broke it!!!!!!!!! i've been waiting this to happen ever since i broke three (3) superlift radius arms.

i got my radius arms from McNeil racing (Perrysfabnfiber.com) for $300. i gave hime the measurements of the superlift ones and they made a replacement pair. uses the superlift mounting brackets still. but they're pretty strong

Click to expand...

...I do know this guy who is building an ultimate Explorer beast by me who offered up a set of stock RA's...


....Right now I am looking into any and all options and like everyone else, I'm strapped for cash...I do want to upgrade to parts I won't regret later...I don't have a shop like I used to where I can fabricate up things and have my buddy weld them...

...I just wish I knew someone who had a solid axle in their back yard waiting to mount right up to an explorer, (at a cost I could afford of course)...

...Honestly guys, keep the info coming as I have read and read on this site since I have gotten the X..I know talking to each of you in person on seperate topics has fed me more information than I have retained from build threads.

...I do know I want my front end more mechanically sound than it's current set up, with a little more flex, while not worrying about which part it will puke out next...But unfortunately, I'll have to do it one piece at a time until the economy gets better...Then I can start on a Ranger project...

tbars4 said:

...Right now I am looking into any and all options and like everyone else, I'm strapped for cash...

Click to expand...

Ted, I know about 'strapped for cash', and IMO, you're best bet is to beef up the existing arms where they need it, for now. That'll get you up and running, and then you can plan your next, bigger step, whatever it may be.
Putting a few "patches" on those superlift arms is a cheap and simple fix.
When I snapped one of my rancho arms in half on the trail about two years ago, Matt welded a big-ugly piece of angle to hold it together enough to get me off the trail, and it's still there today.

As far as I know Bill is still running around on the rancho arm we welded up about 4 years ago. I would be willing to bet a few feet of 2" x 1/4" thick steel plate would make those arm a ton stronger and get you fixed up for cheap. Then you can start saving your pennies to do the solid axle.

...I will definately try and get some better pics of the break location this weekend including the plate that's existing...If I do repair it I might have to find some F150 coil seats and swap them in as I don't think 1/4" plate will fit under these pucks that are on it..




...And Bill, when I do get my X fixed, I'm coming down to your house to help you get started on your swap...Don't worry, I'll bring my Ranger down and we can throw your old set up on mine at the same time and you won't have any old parts laying around taking up Tiki space...

...BTW, If anyone has pics of fixes to these arms, please post them here, Thanks...