Best Long Arm Kit ?

[Hammertoe]

Tell ya what I've learned, and its just my 2 cents......any so-called bolt on &
sleeved kits should be tack welded as well to maintain integrity, good - well
placed tack welds can always be removed later, they help keep things in
place, if they crack...you know the systems soft & has movement.
To me its a win /win back-up with an alert system built in.

 

[xjcrawlr]

I've just installed a Rock Krawler 6.5in long-arm on my j(unk)eep and I have to say I'm VERY impressed. The 3 links are 2in dia solid stock with rebuilable/greasable rod ends that attach to brackets that are bolted and then welded to the "frame" rails.
The ride is great, almost like stock. The only drawback is a minor loss in steering cause the tires (33in) make contact with the links. Then again if I'm turning that sharp I'll prolly break a u-joint anyways.
I ran RE 4.5 short arm (that I got used from a junk yard) and after bashing them on Arizona rocks for 4 years they sagged about 1/2in but that was it. The joints were lubed regulary and showed very little wear, the springs rode fine, in fact I sold the stuff for more than I paid of it!
I just wanted to run the harder trails so I needed more lift, bigger tires, ect..

 

[Hammertoe]

Arizona vs New England water,muck & sharp rock....would say something.....

Any picks of that new kit installed? Currently shopping new XJ for and a new
LA system! :guitar:

 

[destroy everything]

.
I personally feel that putting a long arm kit onto an XJ, with rear leafs is a waste of money. If the rear doesn't follow the front in flex, then what is the front gonna really do for you. On a TJ, a LA kit will work wonders. Just my opinion.


Now, for those who want to go with a LA kit, here's my suggestion...

The new kit being developed by TnTcustoms out of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Here's a link to discussion. It'll be out soon....

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=18863

.

Gary,
Quit trying to sell your buddies products!!!! and how can you even speak of long arms --YOU DON'T EVEN OWN ANY!!!! waste of time....hahaha....what's a waste of time is polishing that damn diff guard of yours!!! hahaha...Eric

 

[xjcrawlr]

WELL.....ya know, opinions are like a-holes. Everyone has one and they usually stink. : )


Just giving you a hard time. People expressing thier opinions is what makes this country great.
About your comment though, RK does indeed have a rear 4-link long kit with Fox 14in coilovers available right now. I am not employed or otherwise endorsed in any way by Rock Krawler, I am merly stating facts. A friend and fellow wheeler has been using this kit for some time now and his Cherokee is featured in RK's magazine ads and thier web site. I've gotta tell you this kit is the SHIT!

Oh...and dont if you think we dont have sharp rocks in AZ, I invite you anytime (prefer winter...too damn hot in summer) to explore 3-4-5 rated trails that live up to names such as Terminator, Axle Alley, Highway to Hell, Predator, and Skull Crusher to name a few.

I'll get some pics up asap.

 

[Ron4x4]

After reading this post I am leaning towards agreeing with Goatman, About the Mid Arms.
After looking at pictures of all the lifts and seeing the Rubicon Express, w/ their new cross member. I am liking parts from FT, RE, and Claytons, but no full kit. I have seen Rusty's and just did not like it. It did not seem to have the quality or preciseness of the other 3. I like FT, but there is no way I am going to run hime joints on my daily driver. Claytons looks good and beefy, but if you buy their full kit you go with RK springs, which I did have on my TJ, settled way too much for my liking. RE, well I like their lift, but I want to go with the 7.5 inch coils and in the rear I don't want blocks, plus I do like claytons cm better.
Normally I would say I'll build my own Mid Arm lift, but I don't trust my self enough to engineer the whole thing.
What I have really thought about is putting these lifts together and building my own lift.
Clayton CM and Long arms
RE coils, brakelines, trackbar,
Alcan custom 8inch leafs with a 200LB overstock rating.
SYE with HAD driveline.
JKS dicso
anyways that is my a-hole (I mean opinion)

 

[xjcrawlr]

Your build list looks like it will be a nice set-up. I, myself will be going to the 7.5 to 8in level in order to clear 36in swamper SX's. So if you may, let me share with you an idea that I am currently getting parts and pieces for. As I'm sure you now an 8in lift spring is going to be quite heavily arched which will result in a harsh ride and limited flex. Most builders are in agreement that the flatter the leaf the better the ride. So what I'm going to do is a double shackel, 4-link rear. Using RE shackels (if used at each end will lower leaf mounting points 2.5in from stock) and RE 4.5in full feaf packs will give 7-8in of lift, have no axle wrap, flex very well while controlling droop, and extend the wheelbase about 1.5 in (my fenders are cut).

Oh...and I'll be using a late model Taco rear axle, 60.5 in wide, 5x4.5 bolt, stonger and cheaper than a D44. Not to mention all steel housing is easy to truss and build 4-link brackets for.

You gotta build for where you wheel, different places need differnet set-ups. We have lots of rocks, ledges, and steep waterfalls and this set-up works here in AZ.

Just my stinky .02

 

[magoo117]

After reading this post I am leaning towards agreeing with Goatman, About the Mid Arms.
After looking at pictures of all the lifts and seeing the Rubicon Express, w/ their new cross member. I am liking parts from FT, RE, and Claytons, but no full kit. I have seen Rusty's and just did not like it. It did not seem to have the quality or preciseness of the other 3. I like FT, but there is no way I am going to run hime joints on my daily driver. Claytons looks good and beefy, but if you buy their full kit you go with RK springs, which I did have on my TJ, settled way too much for my liking. RE, well I like their lift, but I want to go with the 7.5 inch coils and in the rear I don't want blocks, plus I do like claytons cm better.
Normally I would say I'll build my own Mid Arm lift, but I don't trust my self enough to engineer the whole thing.
What I have really thought about is putting these lifts together and building my own lift.
Clayton CM and Long arms
RE coils, brakelines, trackbar,
Alcan custom 8inch leafs with a 200LB overstock rating.
SYE with HAD driveline.
JKS dicso
anyways that is my a-hole (I mean opinion)

I believe Clayton will substitute any coil spring for you.8" Alcans w/200# overstock rating is gonna give you about 10" lift,RE doesnt have any coils in that ballpark.I used Skyjacker 8".I see Rusty's has some new 9" coils also.

 

[ROCKREADYXJ]

I think you should add one to the poll I have the Rock Krawler and it is way better than any of the ones you have listed Plus it survived NEUROC with out any damage Although I can speak that well about the rest of my Jeep. I dont think its fair to put the RE in the mix when you cant even get it.

Yes thats the rear coilover conversion in the rear.

 

[magoo117]

Look at Pete tryin' to pull ya over!!!

 

[offroadman83]

No offense rockready but my friend has a rubicon express longarm setup already. They are selling them.------Kyle

P.S. sweet cherokee and more pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ROCKREADYXJ]

No offense rockready but my friend has a rubicon express longarm setup already. They are selling them.------Kyle

P.S. sweet cherokee and more pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have not received a kit yet. I am a RE distributor and installer I have been under the impression that they were not out yet.

I will have to look into getting one to install. I will get you another picture
too
Mitch I know you cant see him but petes trying to pull in this one too That boy need to put on some weight.

heres another one of him pulling

And another of him pulling I almost lost it here but I quickly recovered man he is to light!!

 

[tvguy]

Well here is my .02 worth. if you go with alcan you can get a jonny joint in the rear eye and an extended shackle I did and it works great. I am also running the 7.5 RE springs in the front with a 1 3/4 spacer I know I will get flammed again but every cherokee is different I am currently running 35's and may go to 37's not sure yet. I am using the drop brackets from RE with there control arms that are not adjustable and have no wobble at all. I just came back from chicago and was doing 85-90 all the way back to colorado good luck

 

[Ron4x4]

I believe Clayton will substitute any coil spring for you.8" Alcans w/200# overstock rating is gonna give you about 10" lift,RE doesnt have any coils in that ballpark.I used Skyjacker 8".I see Rusty's has some new 9" coils also.

After talking with alcan extensively they told me that they could make a rear spring that was unloaded 8-9 inches over stock and that loaded 200LBS it would sit at 7.5-8 inches and it would have plenty of flex, each spring would cost about 220+ shipping.
Normally they make 350Lbs loaded springs that sit at 9 inches unloaded and 8 inches loaded.
That's what they told me True or not I don't know, but they seem to know a hell of a lot more about leafs and spring rates than I do.
Ron

 

[magoo117]

This is 6" Alcans with 37 MTR's...

 

[magoo117]

oh yeah...that is a Clayton kit in the front.

 

[ROCKREADYXJ]

I like the replacement window in the rear is that from that day at Paragon in the rain?

 

[magoo117]

That and the lexan one in the front door that's taped in with black tape.

 

[ROCKREADYXJ]

Sweeeeeet!! the black duct tape almost had me fooled

 

[XJoachim]

I have not received a kit yet. I am a RE distributor and installer I have been under the impression that they were not out yet.

I'm a german RE distributor and i already sold 2 RE XJ 5.5 Long Arm Kits. Can't tell about the install because i just sold them but they're out.

Wanna buy some?