CUTLASS Southside Machine Tall Ball Joints

[RICKDIZZLE]

Anyone familiar with Southside Performance and their tall ball joint offerings?
Trying to determine which of these is better and what the real difference is besides the QA1 being rebuildable? Anyone have experience with either of these?

 

[DSPbuilt]

Those top ones look to also be rebuildable.
I was actually looking up to possibly order a set of the QA1 flavor. Only complain I've seen it that they done come with a boot. They offer a boot that works but you need to put some rubber hose as a spacer to keep the boot in place as its not a press fit like a normal ball joint.

 

[RICKDIZZLE]

Yeah the top ones are the QA1 set. I like the look more of the bottom ones as they are not as bulky.
These are available for $60 each vs the SSM one of the same style being $140 for a pair. 🤔 That $20 savings could buy boots and new screws to mount lol.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the stock upper control arms aren't angled for tall upper ball joints. They are angled for stock height upper ball joints.

 

[RICKDIZZLE]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the stock upper control arms aren't angled for tall upper ball joints. They are angled for stock height upper ball joints.

100% correct. However, my upper a-arms are extended 1" at the ears for my hydraulics to allow proper travel through the range of motion. So should help me here pretty favorably is my hope! Lots of guys running crazy 2-4" ball joint extensions. 1" should be more than enough for me I am thinking 🤔.

 

[UC645]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the stock upper control arms aren't angled for tall upper ball joints. They are angled for stock height upper ball joints.

100% correct. However, my upper a-arms are extended 1" at the ears for my hydraulics to allow proper travel through the range of motion. So should help me here pretty favorably is my hope! Lots of guys running crazy 2-4" ball joint extensions. 1" should be more than enough for me I am thinking 🤔.

IIRC, the S10 guys have angled ball joint spacers for lift kits. Might help here? If not, anyone with a Bridgeport and the knowledge to use it can fab up a pair for you.

 

[RICKDIZZLE]

Never new these existed. Very intresting!

Billet Ball Joint Spacers / Angle Shims (Pair)

These Made in USA billet 6061 aluminum spacers will give you extra space between the frame and control arm, but it's main purpose is to change the angle of the ball joint to allow more articulation, thus allowing more downward travel of your front suspension. This shim can be used with any K5208...

nickkybobbyinc.com

Will be sharing with the fellow lowrider community for sure.

 

[UC645]

Never new these existed. Very intresting!

Billet Ball Joint Spacers / Angle Shims (Pair)

These Made in USA billet 6061 aluminum spacers will give you extra space between the frame and control arm, but it's main purpose is to change the angle of the ball joint to allow more articulation, thus allowing more downward travel of your front suspension. This shim can be used with any K5208...

nickkybobbyinc.com

Will be sharing with the fellow lowrider community for sure.

Bobby’s units I’d trust for just slapping on and going, but it’d be safe to measure and verify that your upper ball joints aren’t above the center of the upper control arm pivot with those installed.

There are also flat ones, but every one I’ve found is of the 1” variety, meaning you’d be stuck with stock height ball joints, but you’d be limited on how low you could have the car while driving.
1” taller uppers and 2.5” of lowering made for some very twitchy handling 🤪

 

[RICKDIZZLE]

Bobby’s units I’d trust for just slapping on and going, but it’d be safe to measure and verify that your upper ball joints aren’t above the center of the upper control arm pivot with those installed.

There are also flat ones, but every one I’ve found is of the 1” variety, meaning you’d be stuck with stock height ball joints, but you’d be limited on how low you could have the car while driving.
1” taller uppers and 2.5” of lowering made for some very twitchy handling 🤪

Not picking up what your putting down about being stuck with stock height ball joints.
And yes.. driving the Cutlass already with hydraulics and all the extra weight in the trunk makes for some driving excitement already. Adding even more changes to the front end is always a risk/reward process with hydros....so appreciate the insight for sure and will look out.

 

[Sweet_Johnny]

I have some SSM upper arms for the Elk and Pro Forged taller upper/lower joints for the Cutlass but none of it is installed yet. I felt that PF was the best combination of affordable + quality but they aren't rebuildable. At least not the ones I got, but they may offer that.