If you’re dialing in your Jeep Wrangler’s aftermarket suspension, you’ve likely hit the age-old question: steel tubes or solid bars for control arms? It’s a debate that gets Jeepers fired up, and today, we’re breaking it down with specifics: a 1.625-inch outer diameter (OD) DOM steel tube with a 0.25-inch wall versus a 1.75-inch OD Hot Rolled Fully Annealed solid steel bar.
First, What Do Control Arms Do?
Control arms are the backbone of your suspension, connecting your axle to the frame and dictating how your rig handles articulation, road feedback, and stability. Whether you're tackling trails or just looking for a smoother ride, the right control arms make a huge difference.
We’ll tackle weight, bending resistance, rebound from bending, and strength to see which one’s the real trail boss. Spoiler: it’s not just about piling on steel. Let’s roll.
Weight: The Unsprung Advantage
Weight is the game-changer for most Jeepers. Unsprung mass—anything below the springs—affects handling, articulation, and suspension responsiveness.
- The 1.625-inch DOM tube with a 0.25-inch wall weighs about 3.8 pounds per foot—11.4 pounds for a 36-inch arm.
- The 1.75-inch Hot Rolled Fully Annealed solid bar? A hefty 8.2 pounds per foot—24.6 pounds for that same 36 inches.
That’s more than double the weight—meaning every pound you save helps with suspension response and overall ride quality.
On a Wrangler, where bumpers, tires, and a winch already add pounds, that matters. Lighter arms improve wheel movement, reduce bushing wear, and make the Jeep feel more responsive. The DOM tube keeps your rig nimble, while the solid bar weighs it down.
Sure, you could shrink the solid bar’s size, but then you’d lose bending resistance—tubes hit the sweet spot.
Bending Resistance: Flexing Without Folding
Off-road, bending is the real test. Rocks, ruts, and hard landings try to twist your control arms into pretzels.
The DOM tube struts its stuff here. Its 1.625-inch OD with a 0.25-inch wall pushes material to the edges, boosting its moment of inertia—fancy talk for bending stiffness. That hollow core, paired with DOM’s uniform strength, lets it resist flex just as well—or even better—than a heavier solid bar.
The Hot Rolled Fully Annealed solid bar, at 1.75 inches, packs steel all the way through. Annealing softens it for better toughness, but that core material doesn’t do much for bending—it’s the outer edges that fight the flex.
A properly sized DOM tube provides similar or better bending resistance while using significantly less material, making it the smarter choice for weight-conscious off-road builds.
Imagine a rock slamming your arm:
- The DOM tube spreads the stress, resisting deformation.
- The solid bar leans on its bulk but isn’t as efficient.
For trail-ready efficiency, the DOM tube takes this round.
Rebound from Bending: Springing Back to Life
What happens post-flex? Rebound—how well the arm snaps back—keeps your rig durable.
If the steel stays elastic (below its yield point), both materials rebound similarly—it’s about material properties.
The DOM tube’s high-quality steel and hollow profile let it flex a bit more before yielding, thanks to better stress distribution.
The Hot Rolled Fully Annealed bar, softened for ductility, holds firm but might bend permanently if overloaded—its toughness is an advantage, but it lacks the elasticity of a DOM tube.
Hit something hard, and:
- The DOM tube could dent or buckle but retains elastic flex.
- The solid bar might bow but remains permanently bent if stressed too far.
The DOM tube’s ability to flex more before yielding makes it a more forgiving option for off-road abuse.
On Jeep trails, rebound is more about smart design than just tube vs. solid bar.
Strength: Raw Power Under Pressure
Strength is where the fight starts—how much can these arms take before they cry uncle? Control arms deal with axial loads—tension and compression from your Jeep’s weight and torque—plus the occasional hard hit from trail obstacles.
The 1.75-inch Hot Rolled Fully Annealed solid bar is a brute in raw power. With 2.4 square inches of steel across its section, this softer, stress-relieved steel offers solid tensile strength and ductility. It’s less likely to snap under extreme pulling forces and has higher overall mass to absorb impacts.
The 1.625-inch OD DOM tube, though, isn’t far behind. DOM—Drawn Over Mandrel—means seamless, high-quality steel with a smooth finish and consistent 0.25-inch wall. It has roughly 1.1 square inches of material, making it lighter but still impressively strong.
The Verdict: DOM Tubes Take the Trail
So, what’s the call for your Jeep Wrangler? The 1.625-inch OD DOM tube with a 0.25-inch wall wins for most builds.
Think aftermarket kits like Metalcloak, whose DOM tube arms are engineered for strength without unnecessary weight—because tested performance matters more than brute steel mass.
What’s Your Jeep’s Vibe?
Lift size? Terrain? Build goals? Drop a comment, and let’s fine-tune this for your ride. I’m betting on DOM tubes, but I’m game to debate if you’re Team Solid!
