Short arm vs Long arm

[TRCM]

I am looking to get a lift for my 88 Cherokee, but am kinda not sure which way to go based on sopme research I've come across lately.

I do not expect to exceed 33" in tire size, as that is plenty for the way I use it. I am also planning on going to 4.56 gears, either with different axles or regearing what I have (d30/d35).

My options are:

4.5" lift w/3" rear springs & shackle (better ride ??)
new control arms (maybe adj so I can get the front axle centered in the wheel well again)
SYE (H&T variety as I have 242 tcase)
IRO or RC track bar
control arm drops (need a decent ride as it is 100 miles 1 way to where I use it)
shocks/brake lines/discos/etc

or

RC 4.5" long arm kit w/3" rear springs & shackle
SYE (242 variant H&T)
shocks/brake lines/discos/etc


I am looking for clearance for 32"-33" tires, decent ride, ease of maintenance, and preferable few replacement issues. It seems the long arm kit & the drop brackets hang down about the same, so no real gain there, and from some posts I've been reading, the drop brackets will ride better even.

So, the question is, which way would you go and why ?

 

[bigdummy30]

my rubicon express short arm 4.5" lift was absolutely perfect for 32's on stock wheels....tucked perfect ,never even trimmed any part of the fenders...that being said a long arm would only be better in most instances but do you need it.....my long arms now fit 35s with ALOT of trimming ....guess i would do the math and go the cheaper route if your only going with 32s....save money for lockers..

edit:i didnt need/use drop brackets...

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Anything above 3.5 I would go either long arm or custom mid-arm setup.
For the rear, OME 2" HD leaf springs usually net 3.5"+ and HD offroad shackle relocation bracket.

 

[scottmcneal]

Be happy and go LONG ARMS

 

[johnbizzle02]

i've went both routes and if you have the money for long arms its worth the better ride

 

[cherokeeforbyer]

i ran 3" spring with 2" spacer and 3in addaleaf with a 2in shackle for 2 years and it rode great and never had any issues

 

[mxracer624]

long arms... nuff said.
mitch at RC will hook you up!

 

[Logans91XJ]

Long Arms or nothing. I wish my Jeep was stock I HATE HATE the ride quality out of my Short Arm Kit. Ive got a baby on the way so my Jeep is a getting a major upgrade suspension, shocks, and improved steering. Dont want my lil boy getting bounced around to hard.

 

[MaxxXJ]

I have an 89 xj, Idk what kind of coils i have but they are 2" coils ride soft like stock, 2" coil spacers 4" s-10 bastard pack, iro fixed short arms iro double sheer track bar. Bpe front and rear And bilstein 5150's all around. My jeep rides amazing... I think a good set of shocks goes a long way... Cheap pro comps skyjacker rancho ruff country shocks are just that, cheap... If you want a quality ride buy a quality set of shocks... That's just my opinion...

 

[crazyjim]

If you do short arms, run drop brackets. I LOVE my short arms with drop brackets for what I do. I do mostly go fast desert running with mine, but it flexes like a mofo as well.

It flies pretty well too:

My MJ flexed well on short arms and drop brackets too:

 

[DeftwillP]

Within reason, shorts with db's are fine. It'll flex fine. It'll ride fine. It'll wheel fine.

Given the OP's options and what I've seen from RC radius setup on this board, I'd go with the shorts and quality adjustable db's. You'll get more out of them re-sale wise once you can afford to step up to a custom 3/4 link.

 

[TRCM]

To clarify some, most of the offroading I do is dirt roads, mud holes in the roads, and the occasional romp across stumpy, log ridden cutover land to retrieve a downed game animal.

The latter is what concerns me the most, getting hung up with the DBs. I'd think the long arms, even tho they hang just as low, would slide over the stuff better.

I will say I have gone just about everywhere I needed to go with just a 2" BB and 30" tires so far, but there are areas I'd like to get to that I was afraid to try without more tire/lift because no one else could get close enough to pull me out shoud I get stuck (afraid to USE their 4WD and maybe hurt their trucks I guess).

Cost wise, right now, it's looking like ~ 1500 for everything with the short arm setup, and drop brackets, and ~ 1700 for the long arm setup.

For the 300 buck difference, I'd rather have the better ride, and was going to go the long arm route, but some of the posts I read last night suggested the short arm w/DBs would ride better since the lower control arms would be almost level.

Already have a locker in the rear axle, and my control arms are stock with 350k on them, so could use new either way.

Also, @ 4.5", how will my D/S's be ? The last lifted vehicle I had was a 79 dodge ramcharger w/ 6" and the D/S's still worked fine.

And what about the rear swaybar ? Everyone sells discos for the front, but I see nothing for the rear.

 

[Ronbo]

For the 200 buck difference, I'd rather have the better ride, and was going to go the long arm route, but some of the posts I read last night suggested the short arm w/DBs would ride better since the lower control arms would be almost level.

And what about the rear swaybar ? Everyone sells discos for the front, but I see nothing for the rear.

Exactly. Control arm angles with DB's offer fine ride and travel characteristics. My 5.5" RE equipped rig is no more harsh on rough roads than my stocker. I even prefer the lifted rig, because stock coils are mush, IMO.

Most folks toss the rear anti-sway bar when they upgrade to firmer leaf springs. That's what the factory did too with the Up Country option.

 

[jeepfreak1020]

I would go straight to long arms. I have done all 3. Short arms, then drop brackets and now long arms. Long arms are amazing now that I have them. Way better then all the set ups before. Go straight to long arms my friend and you will never look back

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

I hate my drop brackets, RC came out with their long arm kit for my jeep, just two weeks after i installed my current lift..

 

[xjtrailrider]

I vote quality short arms and drop brackets.

I'm running Currie johnny jointed adjustable uppers/lowers and RE DB's. It flexes great, rides like a caddy, cruises smooth down the freeway.

For the wheelin I do I would most likely hang up a long arm setup whereas I have never snagged my DB's on rocks

A good example is "welder" at Mt City. I would have hung up on a long arm set-up on this rock but instead was able to slide over it without hanging up.

 

[MoparManiac]

I've seen multiple friends get hung up on drop brackets. I never once got hung up on my TNT setup. I've also yet to get hung up on my 3-link setup.

The RC "brace" on the back of their kit sucks. RE one is a bit better. The self-tapping screws would just pull out of the rail on the RC kit.

That said, if you don't do a lot of rock crawling then drop brackets will be fine.

 

[ktm racer 419]

I've seen multiple friends get hung up on drop brackets. I never once got hung up on my TNT setup. I've also yet to get hung up on my 3-link setup.

if you get hung up then you arent rockcrawling fast enough

 

[MoparManiac]

if you get hung up then you arent rockcrawling fast enough

QFT

 

[Mike1331]

if you get hung up then you arent rockcrawling fast enough

truf...i've NEVER had my drop brackets keep me from going forward. Yes i've scrapped them on a myriad of obsticles but never have they officially "HUNG me up".

I love my drop brackets, night and day difference after install but i think a properly set up custom mid arm is the best way to go.