The first style, as made by Teraflex, Rock Krawler etc... definitely do the job. With these you don't have to remove the ball joints when welding them on, makes for a much easier/quicker process. I personally run the RK versions.

The other style, Artec, Synergy etc... is definitely stronger when it comes to the lateral stability of the inner c. Although 99% of the inner c failures happen when the c gets spread open straight up. They'll both do the job, it's just a matter of if you want to remove the ball joints/weld extremely slowly to keep the joints cool.

 

I’ve gone and watched the YouTube.

Can a good welder actually do this without burning up the seals and Ball joints?

I saw a couple guys do it without disassembly.

 

I've done it without burning up the ball joints.

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Actually a really bad welder can probably do it the best because they'll have to stop a lot since they can't keep the weld going!

More seriously, lots of people are successful in welding them with ball joints in, but also a lot of people do cook their joints or reduce the joint's life. Also worth considering that some of the people who report success might have wrecked the joints internally but not really know it the day they did the job and then post a success story.

I personally would not weld C-gussets on with the ball joints in, especially the second style. Maybe if they're OEM joints that you plan to just upgrade if you wreck them, but certainly would remove any expensive joints you don't want to destroy (for example, welding in gussets next to a Pro-Steer ball joint would be a really poor decision in my opinion)

If you're still running OEM ball joints, it's a convenient time to upgrade.

 

I waited until by balljoints were shot, then sleeved and did C- gussets at the same time, I used the second pic style,
Forgot who makes them, Haven't bent them yet, running 37" Treps Dana 44. I did bend my stock flanges in the rear, then went with 10 Factory rear axles, they've been in for 3 years, so far,so good.

 

as mentioned, some guys have both styles burned on . I run the TeraFlex upper c and changed BJs at same time. May as well do them together unless you’ve already got better than OEM BJs installed in which case I’ve seen guys keep a bucket of cold water and a couple of heavy towels saturated in it for fully setting the soaked rag on the top bj , weld a inch , go to other side , weld an inch with saturated rag on top , go to other side, redunk the rag and place it, weld another inch, etc until done. It’s not monotonous and a pita at all, lol

:jeep2:

 

I used Artec gussets. Did notch them out ever so slightly with a grinder so my springs seated perfectly again. I had the whole axle out and stripped to do a number of other things.

 

the proper way is to wait till you need new ball joints. then order ball joint and put them into the freezer. Weld up the C's and with the material still hot from the welding you drop in the frozen joints.

 

i have the top style C-guessets. i took my time with the welding and wrapped the balljoints with a wet towel. I then put another 50K miles on before the lower balljoints wore out. Im running 35" tires