Has anyone installed a 3rd party option?

Spohn makes adjustable upper lower control arms as well as a boxed, fixed lower control arm. 3cfab makes a boxed, fixed lower control arm as well, but not an upper.

I spoke with LoJac963 about the 3cfab lowers & he really liked them. Anyone else have these or have experience with the Spohn variant? Any other options I'm missing?

Here's lists of the lower & upper control arms for the rear, at least that I've found.

Lower Control Arm Options:
3cfab rear LCA: $250


Spohn rear LCA:$190


Spohn adjustable rear LCA: $255


Upper Control Arm Options:
Spohn adjustable rear UCA: $210


GM OEM rear UCA: $70

 

i've just ordered the complete "Off-Road" Rear Suspension Package - Del-Sphere Pivot Joints been on my list for the past two years and just 3 hours before seeing this post i pulled the trigger

 

Ordered.

Thanks for the help alamry.

 

Posting a small update.

I have all control arms & rear axle tie rod installed. The sleeves for the lower control arms are the wrong size. Spohn claims these fit OEM bolts (about 14.5mm if my caliper is correct). It required a 13mm to install them & a 9/16th" bolt won't fit. All oem bolts on the 3 other pieces fit like a glove.

I have to drop an arm & measure, plus submit a picture of the oem bolt not fitting the sleeve. After discussing the issue for a few minutes, whoever I spoke to stated that some sleeves are not milled uniformly & there's some variation. Cute.

So far, the rear axle tie rod has made a huge difference in stability, wandering & sway. I'll have a better idea of how well it works once the vehicle is aligned.

 

I had the same issue with the 3C ones. Apparently the sleeve was smaller for a couple years of H2 production, some oddball years like 04/05 if my memory serves correct. I just contacted 3C, he was extremely helpful and did some research to find out the above info. He sent me new sleeves which were slightly larger to fit the oem bolts.


I didn't have a caliper at the time (I do now) so I am not sure of the comparison in size.


Those uppers are insanely nice though. Where did you guys order from? What is the larger rod, panard?

 

Good to know, but it sucks too. 04/05 had the issues? Hmm, I know now 09 did, so I'd guess possibly 08 as well.

I hope you didn't have to fight w/ the guys in Cali for basic sleeves. Spohn is making me do the work, despite giving them the diameter of the bolt over the phone. I'm really irritated with that aspect of the company. Nice products, but man, don't put the blame on the customer for lacking consistency in your product...

I ordered directly from Spohn. You can order elsewhere (just google), but the prices are no better. They offer free shipping. You can still get the uppers & panhard.

And yes, the large rod is a panhard / rear axle tie rod. The stock looks like POS in comparison. The only issue you'll have is mounting the e-brake cable. I have it held on with a plastic zip tie till it's aligned. I bought some stainless steel zip ties for when it's permanently mounted.

 

Some pictures please or else it didn't happen

 

Another thing, you can't install...lol. ..

 

I meant there were a couple years where the sleeves were slightly smaller in diameter and for some odd reason those are the sleeves all these aftermarket companies are using instead of the larger ones the majority of H2's require.


That is pretty ridiculous they are making you do the work on finding new sleeves. 3C's owner called me personally and found out all that info and shipped me new sleeves all at no cost to me. Really stand up guy IMO. Hopefully you get it worked out.


I'm going to look up the other company, I definitely want that panard rod along with those uppers. Might just buy new lowers as well so everything matches since my lowers are silver.

 

Exactly. I just sent an email telling them to send me new sleeves, justifying my claim with pictures. If I hadn't dealt with Spohn for the entire purchase, I'd check out 3cfabs. If they ever get damaged some way, I'll throw them my business.

I'll update with how they respond & treat a customer with a legit problem.

As for the business end of this, here's some pics.

The sleeve is a hair too small.


ID is 14.16mm.


Bolt diameter is 14.57mm, so now way it'll fit.


OEM bolt where it belongs.


Opening diameter 17.11mm.