short vs. long arm lift kit

[sn4cktime]

I've seen a lot of money wasted on lockers that don't seem to want to lock, and locked rigs that fail a hill that some wheel spin makes it up.  Lockers are just one puzzle piece, suspension is another.  Answering an engine-idle question with a tow-points answer isn't useful.

He asked about a lift kit detail.  Here's my input, get a coil conversion for the rear with those longer control arms.  More flex.

[SwampSinger]

This dude will prob. never come back to this site and we are on page 2 debating one his topic.... 

[muffintop]

As they say... the devil's in the details 

[JackstandJohnny]

Can you show the class one example that wasn't due to driver incompetence  ?

anyone who has a TJ/ZJ that pays a shop to have a claytons long arm installed with a D30/D35 combo...........

[Joel]

He asked about a lift kit detail.  Here's my input, get a coil conversion for the rear with those longer control arms.  More flex.

It's not all about flex, it's about have a well balanced suspension.  

[Evil-Jeep]

Sounds like we need CJA version of mythbusters...

Belt dressing vs no belt dressing
lotsa zinc vs low zinc
Child seats and wheelin
Long arm vs Short arm



Joking!

[Knox]

eh keep it going, the op may never come back but there are those of us who usually just read posts quietly trying to learn all the details. 

"the geometry is a lot better the angles less steep and less wear on the joints "

are there any good diagrams of this geometry that anyone knows of?
I'm about a year-two out from adding a lift to my TJ and I 'd prefer to do it right.

[dac]

anyone who has a TJ/ZJ that pays a shop to have a claytons long arm installed with a D30/D35 combo...........

I thought it was Claton?

[tubby]

I thought it was Claton?

That's just the way they say it back in the East coast Dwight. Same thing...

[bobtheknob]

http://www.youtube.com/v/0xxRh7A4tt8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1
i know these are two diffrent types of jeeps but watch the Cherokee has a long arm kit hes on this site and then compare it to my tj with a short arm kit huge difference i know there are other differences tire size etc but you get the just of it

[Bnine]

As far as xj's goes there's one suspension above the rest right now for long arms and that's claytons new 3 link.  Personally I wouldn't consider anything else for off the shelf xj LA.

For short arms either a currie arm kit, or Rokman with double jj's.  Then choose your springs an shocks.

Xj's require more lift to fit larger tires. A LA is usually a better choice for them. Where as a wrangler can get get away with SA and maintain geometry and performance.

With todays options there is no reason to ever put a radius arm up front other then just not knowing any better. An xjs longer wheelbase will help to hide some of the short comings of a RA, but a 3 link is still a better option by far.

[STREEEK]

This dude will prob. never come back to this site and we are on page 2 debating one his topic.... 

Hey I am back,
I am new to this posting thing, as well as to modifying Jeeps. this is my 4th cheroke, but the 1st one I am looking to uprgade.
I appreciate all the input, I have been convinced to spent the extra and go with the long arm.

[cLAY]

Ride quality is a big factor in the LA VS SA debate. I've got the Clayton's kit on my ZJ(older radius arm style). And the ride quality is way better than what my old XJ on SA was. Flex in the front isn't much better though. However in the 3 years I've had it I think I've only lifted a front tire twice. I'm going to Moab this fall so we'll see what happens there, I may just end up pulling one upper arm off if it really starts to squirt me off.

Another advantage of LA is also strength. Most of the LA kits are built VERY beefy and often incorporate a frame stiffener for unibody vehicles. Also the mounts are also built much stronger than factory ones. I think they know that when you go to LAs you'll be beating on it.

If I ever damage one of the long arms or mount points on my Claytons kit I doubt I'll be around afterwards to worry about it.....