Core 4x4 Product Series Explained: Town, Trail, and Track Control Arms

A complete guide to Core 4x4's three control arm series -- polyurethane bushings, Johnny Joints, and how to choose the right tier for your build

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Core 4x4 offers three tiers of adjustable control arms — Town, Trail, and Track — so you can match the right part to your build, your budget, and the way you actually use your vehicle. The difference between the series comes down to the ends: polyurethane bushings, Johnny Joints, or a combination of both.

In this video, Spence from Core 4x4 walks through all three series side by side, explains what makes each one different, and covers the manufacturing details that set these parts apart. Whether you drive a Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, Cherokee XJ, or any other solid-axle truck or SUV, the series structure is the same across the entire Core 4x4 product line.

Spence from Core 4x4 standing behind three tiers of control arms laid out on a table -- Town, Trail, and Track series

Note on naming: This video was recorded when Core 4x4 used the original series names — Cruise, Camp, and Crawl. The company has since renamed them to Town, Trail, and Track. The products and their specifications are the same; only the branding changed. This guide uses the current names throughout.

Why Core 4x4 Offers Three Series

Not every build is the same. Not every budget is unlimited. Core 4x4 designed three tiers so that every customer can get an adjustable, American-made control arm that fits the way they actually use their vehicle — from daily commuting to serious off-road crawling.

The mounting points, powder coat options, and adjustability are the same across all three series. The only difference is the ends of the control arms — and that is what determines your ride quality, articulation, and durability both on and off the road.

Spence explaining the differences between all three Core 4x4 control arm series on the table

Town Series — Daily Driving and Light Trail Use

The Town Series (originally called Cruise) uses high-grade polyurethane bushings at both ends. These are greasable, serviceable, and easy to rebuild or replace when the time comes.

Polyurethane is a significant step up from the rubber bushings that come stock on most trucks and Jeeps. It is stiffer, resists compression set, and lasts considerably longer. With the Town Series, you get the adjustability to correct your alignment after a lift or suspension change, plus the durability of a proper aftermarket arm — all at the most accessible price point in the lineup.

Town Series Specs

End A: Polyurethane bushing (greasable)
End B: Polyurethane bushing (greasable)
Tube: 3/16" wall DOM tubing
Thread: 1-1/4" diameter adjustment thread

Best for: Daily drivers, commuters, overlanding rigs, trucks used primarily on pavement with occasional gravel or light trail use. If your vehicle is mostly a street machine, the Town Series gives you the alignment correction and build quality you need without over-building for extreme conditions.

Spence discussing the Town Series control arm with polyurethane bushings at both ends

Trail Series — The All-Around Performer

The Trail Series (originally called Camp) is Core 4x4's most popular series and for good reason. It uses a polyurethane bushing at one end and a Johnny Joint at the other — giving you the best of both worlds.

The Johnny Joint is a RockJock-designed, tight-tolerance, rebuildable spherical joint. On the adjustable end of the arm, it provides significantly more articulation than a poly bushing while still handling high loads. That combination delivers improved ride quality on the road and better flexibility off-road.

Trail Series Specs

End A: Polyurethane bushing (greasable)
End B: RockJock Johnny Joint (greasable, rebuildable)
Tube: 5/16" wall DOM tubing (step up from Town)
Thread: 1-1/4" diameter adjustment thread

Best for: Trucks and Jeeps that do everything — daily driving, towing, hauling, weekend trail riding, overlanding, camping trips. If you tow a trailer, haul heavy loads, or regularly hit fire roads and moderate trails, the Trail Series is the most versatile option in the lineup.

Upgrade path: The Trail and Town Series share the same thread pitch. If you start with the Town Series and later want more flexibility, you can buy a Johnny Joint and thread it directly into your existing arm — no new arm required.

Close-up of the Trail Series control arm showing polyurethane bushing on one end and Johnny Joint on the other

Track Series — Maximum Performance and Durability

The Track Series (originally called Crawl) is the top of the lineup. It uses RockJock Johnny Joints at both ends, giving the suspension maximum freedom to articulate under extreme loads.

One concern Spence hears from customers is that double Johnny Joints might transmit more road noise or compromise on-road ride quality. He addresses this directly: the Johnny Joints have a urethane coupler inside that acts like a bushing, absorbing road noise and vibration. Core 4x4 runs the Track Series on all their shop Jeeps, and according to Spence, they are the best-riding arms he has ever put on a vehicle.

Track Series Specs

End A: RockJock Johnny Joint (greasable, rebuildable)
End B: RockJock Johnny Joint (greasable, rebuildable)
Tube: 5/16" wall DOM tubing
Thread: 1-1/4" diameter adjustment thread

Best for: Heavy towing, heavy hauling, supercharged or turbocharged builds, serious off-road use, and rock crawling. If you need your suspension to cycle properly under high loads and extreme articulation, the Track Series is the right choice. The double Johnny Joints allow the arm to flex freely at both ends, reducing stress on the arm itself and delivering better performance in every condition.

Track Series (Crawl) control arm with Johnny Joints at both ends, shown with Crawl series graphic

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Town Series	Trail Series	Track Series
End A	Polyurethane bushing	Polyurethane bushing	RockJock Johnny Joint
End B	Polyurethane bushing	RockJock Johnny Joint	RockJock Johnny Joint
Tube wall	3/16"	5/16"	5/16"
Articulation	Standard	High	Maximum
Ride quality (on-road)	Smooth & quiet	Smooth	Smooth (urethane coupler inside joint)
Off-road performance	Light duty	Moderate to heavy	Heavy to extreme
Towing & hauling	Light loads	Regular towing	Heavy / frequent towing
Added power builds	Stock power	Mild upgrades	Supercharged / turbo
Maintenance	Grease bushings periodically	Grease Johnny Joint every 10–15k mi	Grease both joints every 10–15k mi
Rebuildable ends	Press in / press out bushings	Bushing + rebuildable Johnny Joint	Both ends rebuildable
Price tier	$	$$	$$$
Original name	Cruise	Camp	Crawl

What You Get at Every Level

Regardless of which series you choose, every Core 4x4 control arm shares these features:

Adjustability: Threaded adjustment to correct alignment, pinion angle, and axle centering after lifting or lowering your vehicle
1-1/4" adjustment thread: Oversized for strength and durability at the adjustment end
Two-stage powder coat: Zinc primer underneath with a top coat in your choice of color — including custom colors if you contact the sales team
Greasable ends: All bushings and Johnny Joints have grease fittings for easy maintenance
Serviceable design: Bushings press in and out; Johnny Joints are rebuildable with kits available on the Core 4x4 website
Made in the USA: Every part is manufactured in Core 4x4's facility in Utah

Spence discussing tube wall thickness and manufacturing details of the Trail and Track Series arms

Upgrade Path: Start Low, Move Up Later

One of the smartest design decisions Core 4x4 made is keeping the thread pitch the same across all three series. That means if you start with a Town Series arm and later decide you want the flexibility of a Johnny Joint, you do not need to buy a whole new arm. You can purchase a Johnny Joint separately and thread it directly into your existing arm body.

This makes the Town Series a low-risk entry point: get your alignment corrected and your ride improved now, then upgrade the ends later if your build demands it.

Manufacturing and Quality

All Core 4x4 parts are built in-house at their facility in Utah. This is not a company that imports parts and rebrands them — everything from the tubing cuts to the welding to the powder coating happens under one roof.

DOM tubing: Drawn-over-mandrel steel tubing for consistent wall thickness and strength
Two-stage powder coat: Zinc primer plus color top coat for corrosion resistance
Multiple color options: Standard colors ship quickly; custom colors are available by contacting the sales team
Grease fittings on every end: Factory-installed for easy field maintenance

The parts are designed to be used and abused. When something does eventually wear, replacement bushings and Johnny Joint rebuild kits are stocked on the Core 4x4 website.

Close-up of a polyurethane bushing being pressed into a control arm housing in the Core 4x4 shop

Quick Decision Guide

Still not sure which series to pick? Use this guide:

Mostly pavement, daily commuting, light overlanding? → Town Series
Towing, hauling, weekend trails, all-around use? → Trail Series
Supercharged, heavy towing, serious off-road, rock crawling? → Track Series
Not sure? Start with Town and upgrade the ends later.

Spence pointing at the different end types across all three Core 4x4 control arm series

Vehicles Supported

The Town, Trail, and Track series structure applies across Core 4x4's full product catalog. Popular platforms include:

Jeep Wrangler JK / JL / TJ / LJ
Jeep Cherokee XJ
Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ / WJ
Dodge Ram 1500 (2009–present)
Dodge Ram 2500 / 3500
Ford Bronco (2021+)
Toyota Tacoma
Ford F-250 / F-350
Toyota 4Runner

Check core4x4.com for specific fitment by year, make, and model.

Frequently Asked Questions

The difference is the ends. Town Series uses polyurethane bushings at both ends for daily driving. Trail Series uses a poly bushing at one end and a Johnny Joint at the other for all-around versatility. Track Series uses Johnny Joints at both ends for maximum articulation and durability under extreme loads. The tube, adjustability, and powder coat are the same across all three.

Core 4x4 renamed the series to make them easier to understand. Cruise became Town, Camp became Trail, and Crawl became Track. The products themselves did not change — only the branding. If you see older videos or listings referencing Cruise, Camp, or Crawl, they correspond directly to the current Town, Trail, and Track series.

No. Johnny Joints contain a urethane coupler inside the joint that absorbs road noise and vibration, similar to how a bushing works. Core 4x4 runs the Track Series (double Johnny Joints) on all their shop vehicles and reports excellent on-road ride quality. The concern about increased road noise with Johnny Joints is a common misconception.

Yes. The thread pitch is the same across all three series. You can purchase a Johnny Joint separately and thread it directly into an existing Town Series arm to effectively upgrade it to a Trail Series. This makes the Town Series a low-risk starting point if you are unsure which tier you need.

Core 4x4 runs the Track Series (double Johnny Joints) on all of their shop vehicles. Spence describes them as the best-riding arms he has ever put on a vehicle, noting that the urethane coupler inside the Johnny Joint provides a smooth, quiet ride on pavement while delivering maximum articulation off-road.

Core 4x4 makes control arms for Jeep Wrangler JK, JL, TJ, and LJ; Jeep Cherokee XJ; Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ and WJ; Dodge Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500; Ford Bronco (2021+); Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner; Ford F-250 and F-350; and other solid-axle platforms. The Town, Trail, and Track series structure applies across the entire product line. Check core4x4.com for specific fitment by year, make, and model.