Here's something a bit different. Due to regulations here in OZ I need to have my suspension lift approved by an Engineer. Heim joints are unacceptable plus after removing the lift to have it stripped and re-powdercoated I had a NDT check and discovered that the bracket on the top of the rear diff has cracked and would have failed eventually. The heim joint has been binding as it cannot allow enough misalignment (the marks are visible) and I feel that this has placed additional load on the bracket causing the cracking. I also recall that someone had a failure some time ago. So I'm investigating options and one option is to re-use the factory a-arm with the ball joint and make up a spacer to the diff. and /or modify the arm and/or it's mounts. Has anyone measured the amount of travel available from the stock balljoint before it binds? I will also be rotating the rear axle as per Mike Hagen's mod and need to make sure what ever I do can cope with that too.

Read Mike's article on the 9" install as well, there's something in there regarding the upper link you might be able to do.  I've been pondering the idea of replacing the stock ball joint with a heim joint. It's looking like I won't be changing now, the more I read, the worst heims sound, and I'm also hearing the stock joints will take a great amount of abuse.