*Cutting the upper control arm for a TM lift

One of the most conmen problems with having the TrailMaster lift installed is the front shocks. For some reason most shops do not, or just forget to cut the upper control arm. This is a big problem for the mounting of the shocks. If the upper control arm is not cut right it will dig, and rub the shock until it puts a hole in the side of it. To top it all off, Trail Masters drawing in the back of the instructing manual is wrong. If you do any type of heavy off-roading the upper control arm will come down far enough to hit the shock. Some people at off road shops will tell you that this is ok, and it will not hurt the shock. They are wrong too. If the outer tube of the shock is bent in any way the shack can’t work properly. The internal piston will move up and down but may get stuck. After a while the rubbing on the shock will punch a hole in it. Most of the time the shops will not warranty the shock and call it abuse. We all know how much the shock of our choice is, and you don’t want to buy new shocks all the time.

Now as far as the TrailMaster drawing goes here is how I did the cutting. I used a body man’s cut off wheel. You can’t get a saws all in there to cut, and if you are not good with a gas ax you may cut too much.

The Red line is the new cut on my upper control arm.

If you cut the upper control arm where I did you will have plenty of room. You will not hit the TrailMaster shock, and you will have room to fit a bigger thicker shock like a Rancho shock. The cut is about ¾ of an inch deep. The cut should run on top of the upper lip of the control arm. Do not cut too much, you may weaken the control arm. File all the burs down, and you are ready to put your shock in.
Have fun!
Diesel

Last Modified: 7-13-05 JCH