Rough Country drop bracket install w/ pics

[XJ&CHZ4ME]

if you guys are looking for cheap parts go to www.DC4WD.com . It's a guy who runs an online store and does installs in his shop. He's local to Roanoke,Va but his prices are very reasonable. This is who i use and i'm on a LOW LOW budget... but who isn't when it comes to jeeps.

J-just
E-empty
E-every
P-pocket

What does this have to do with this thread? This is a thread about the RC drop brackets.

 

[IllianaXJ]

:spam:


Edit: on a technical note, I was impressed with the quality of the RC DBs this weekend at Winterfest.

 

[XJ&CHZ4ME]

I was too. It was my first wheelin trip on mine and they performed great. Look forward to wheelin with ya in the future Byron. Is all well with Kim and the kiddos?

 

[IllianaXJ]

I'll PM you so we don't totally de-rail the thread

 

[Semper Fi]

If you are wondering how the drop brackets and braces will perform offroad, here are some poser pics I took today to show how well they help flex. I had it flexed out more but I didn't get a pic of it then. Here you go.

 

[Ba-Riedo]

Got any more pics of that strap your using to retain your swaybar when its disco'd?

-Alex

 

[z_lindig]

well i looked at the instructions online, and it didn't really answer my original question... usually when there's a slot in a bracket, there is a flat piece of metal on either side of the slot, for the cam-bolt to pivot against...

guess i don't get it...

 

[x2elite]

There is an alignment shoe that mounts inside there to keep it lined up.

 

[DougJ]

Got any more pics of that strap your using to retain your swaybar when its disco'd?

-Alex

I'll try to get one for ya. Those straps came with the BDS QD's, but it would be easy to make up something to work the same. All you would need is some ready made straps with buckles and some grommets where they attach to the Jeep. I think I've seen something that would work at a sporting goods store for packing equipment. With the BDS QD design and those straps I can disconnect and strap up with one hand if I want to, it's very nice.

 

[OBXJ]

I started installing my RC Db's today but ran into a snag when I was reinstalling my LCA's... With the alignment shoe in, my RE super-flex arms dont seem to fit into the new bracket but the uppers slide in with room to spare..

It seems that it's about 1/16th of an inch too narrow
Anyone else run into this and know of a fix?

 

[Semper Fi]

The same thing happened to me when I installed mine. I had a friend slide one side in the slot and hold it there, while I took a flat head screw driver on the other side. I pryed it a little and then tapped it in with a hammer. I took a couple of tryes but it did work for us.

 

[Brian_NJ]

Had the same problem also had to have a friend line up the control arm while I used a screwdriver to force it in. To say it is tight is an understatement but that being the worst part of the install was not bad. Well other than I broke the dang trac bar to axle bolt 3 times before I realised the spec in the Haynes manual was about 30 Ft/lbs too heavy.

 

[XJ&CHZ4ME]

I too had the problem that it was a tight fit into the lower control arm mounting bracket. I sprayed the bushing on the lower arm with a lubricant and them beat on it with a rubber mallet. It was "persuaded" to go in, but did so with pretty much no problems.

 

[OBXJ]

thanks for all the feedback. as I didnt have a friend handy to assist, I had to come up with a solo solution.

I pulled the alignment shims and beveled the inside of each edge on the front just a bit on the destop grinder.

After that, they slid right in with a few taps of a rubber mallot.

..back to wrenching...

 

[Rockhound89]

ok guy i did not read the whole 9 pages but did any one put these on a MJ yet

the answer would be yes check it out here:

http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8847

and no this is not my rig put I am thinking I might be next in line

 

[XJ&CHZ4ME]

Hey Watson,

Thanks for the update on a MJ installation. I know a few guys have been curious about this.

 

[Rockhound89]

That’s cool not issue just thought I would add my 2 cents.

I do like the price and stuff but for the MJ’s there is no support for the drop brackets and I have already tore a lower control arm off my front axle. So yeah I am ruff as hell on stuff so if I went this way I am going to have to fabricate some support. Or I am going to rip them right off the frame or that is my thoughts.

And yeah tearing the lowers off the new front axle is not going to happen I don’t think I reinforced them with 3/16 steel on both side and the bottom went back to a disco axle so the upper mount is cast into the axle and not welded. So yeah now my weak point is going to be these drop brackets.


What are your guy’s thoughts on this?

or do i need to take this to a new thread

 

[WrenchMonkey]

My first thought is that the improved geometry will help reduce a lot of the stresses that were causing your damage.

That was my motivation for the install. I was okay with my on-road ride, but off-road, the steep angle of my LCAs drove every bump straight to the frame.

My last run out, that resulted in a burst tire sidewall, and a busted track bar mount that I'm sure was related to the shock to the system that the suspension couldn't properly absorb.

So while my on-road ride is much improved (and the bigger the pothole, the bigger the improvement), I'm really looking forward to a trail test.

Any day now...

Robert

 

[Rockhound89]

thanks and i agree witht the you on the better angle of the lower control arms but there is still nothing to support the bracket at the bottom.

 

[Jeepin Jason]

MJs have reinforced LCA mounts on the body already, so not having the additional DB braces isn't such a big issue.