Short arm vs. Long Arm

[curtis]

I think the big factor is. It's not about arm length, it's about wheel base.

[aw12345]

I think the big factor is. It's not about arm lenght, it's about wheel base.

Wheelbase, coilovers and a custom suspension when you get serious. When the rocks get bigger to biggest none of the aftermarket suspension kits will do. They do not work as well as they should and they do not stand up to the brutal abuse

[brokenujoint]

if your doing washed out fire roads on the weekends, playing in the mud, or think that john bull is EXTREME! then stick to short arm. It'll last you 10 yrs... If your more of a J Valley guy and enjoy flying through woops and going up V notches that will send you to the insurance adjuster for yourself and the jeep if you mess up a line, you'll want to start going custom. If your anywhere in between those two, a LA kit might be in order (store bought). Clayton with JJ's at both ends, 4 linked rear will be a wonderful 1st step if you wanna go LA. Wish I would of went that route from the very get go, but my LA set up is fine for what I do. Just know your limits and expect to upgrade sooner or later.

[aw12345]

Clayton rear stretch kit is for the birds. Drove one that thing was downright dangerous till we stuck a genright rear sway bar in it.
You could flop the thing at will, little bit of throttle while turning the wheel would lay it on it's side

[brokenujoint]

Clayton rear stretch kit is for the birds. Drove one that thing was downright dangerous till we stuck a genright rear sway bar in it.
You could flop the thing at will, little bit of throttle while turning the wheel would lay it on it's side

interesting. Was it set up correctly?

[aw12345]

You cannot change much about the geometry. Cannot be done without cutting and welding though. Needed a stiff rear swaybar to get the thing to behave. The rear tire just wanted to tuck under the Jeep, quite scary to drive. Didn't climb very well either

[brokenujoint]

You cannot change much about the geometry. Cannot be done without cutting and welding though. Needed a stiff rear swaybar to get the thing to behave. The rear tire just wanted to tuck under the Jeep, quite scary to drive. Didn't climb very well either

I actually like the setup I have. RE LA's front and rear, front uppers have JJ's front rear, 4" RE coils(wouldnt mind some coilovers) currie front trackbar, currie antirock, Currie rear trackbar, and reservoir shocks. Plan to JJ all arms, outboard the rear shocks and thats it for suspension. Does me well. I know it's far from bada55 but I like it.

[aw12345]

I actually like the setup I have. RE LA's front and rear, front uppers have JJ's front rear, 4" RE coils(wouldnt mind some coilovers) currie front trackbar, currie antirock, Currie rear trackbar, and reservoir shocks. Plan to JJ all arms, outboard the rear shocks and thats it for suspension. Does me well. I know it's far from bada55 but I like it.

If it works for ya and gets you where you want to go, then that's all that matters right?

[brokenujoint]

If it works for ya and gets you where you want to go, then that's all that matters right?

of course every jeeper has dreams of putting in a V8, custom long arm suspension with coilovers, a crazy tranny and tcase and 60's front and rear with stickies but for about 98% of the jeeping community it'll always just be a dream.

[curtis]

A few weeks ago I helped a friend change his RE long arm on his LJ. We Changed all bushings to JJ and Triangulated the upper rear arms and removed the track bar. It made a big difference in the jeeps handling on and offroad. The front end doesn't unload and the rear doesn't wiggle waggle around.

[aw12345]

A few weeks ago I helped a friend change his RE long arm on his LJ. We Changed all bushings to JJ and Triangulated the upper rear arms and removed the track bar. It made a big difference in the jeeps handling on and offroad. The front end doesn't unload and the rear doesn't wiggle waggle around.

Goes back to the statement that pretty much all aftermarket suspensions have less than desirable characteristics.

[Tumbleweed13]

I vote LA. Just make sure whatever kit you get is compatable with a belly up skid. Alot of kits ca mounts are in a drop bracket. So do thorough research, and know what your getting into. Finding out you overlooked something, when your jeep is in pieces in your garage, is no beuno.

[HookandLadder]

My two cents. Go long arm, change controls to JJ's, remove rear track bar and put truangulated 4 link. If money serves right, itriangulate the front. Upgrade the control arm mounts

I am running RE 5.5" LA. I have changed all my joints to JJ. I had to do this when RE was in the process of being bought out be 4 wheel parts. I upgraded the rear to the RE tri link and removed the rear track bar. As Curtis said this really let's the suspension cycle and gets rid of the wiggle waggle. I recently put king coilovers by genright on and have see /felt a huge difference in performance on the trail. I run 35" tires a d would like to go 37" one day. Otherwise this set up works for me. As for hitting supper difficult and technical trials like JV, I haven't put the jeep through those paces, however the jeep will probrably out perform the drivers abilities.

I unfortunately do not have the time nor tools to do all this, I had to have a shop do all mods.

[daniel_buck]

.. however the jeep will probrably out perform the drivers abilities.

I hear you there! I'm quite sure my jeep is more capable that I am as a driver

[RAT]

Greetings, my 2004 TJ currently has a 4" Pro-Comp short arm...uppers are stock. stock D-30 and D-35 with 4:56 ARB's.

Getting ready to set up for 35's and am looking for a new lift. I am looking at changing to D-44's front and rear, x-fer case, high steer, belly up, and lift. 4-wheel parts is telling me theres nothing wrong with a short arm lift, easier to install and less related mods underneath...

Are there specific advanteges with a short arm that I can hang my hat on vs. going with a long arm lift?

Thanks,

So after the all responses did you get an answer you can go with?