long arm kit

[lizard230]

hello everyone

So after wheelin for a while i think its about time that the rubi gets a long arm.

so im thinkin a RE 5.5' with no body lift or sparers and 35's

let me know if theres a better brands out there or if there would be a better set up.

im looking for performance not cheap

thxs everyone for your input

[fug]

If you're looking for performance ... get something with Johnny Joint ends... avoid RE stuff.   

[raf2379]

how about Full Traction.

http://www.full-traction.com/detail.php?MODELID=21&MAKEID=1&TYPEID=1&PRODUCTID=88&NOTES=9,34,38,42

they also have the 5" wheel base upgrade kit
http://www.full-traction.com/detail.php?MODELID=21&MAKEID=1&TYPEID=1&PRODUCTID=459&NOTES=13,15,20

some pics for ya.





North Shore Off Road
is a dealer in BC for full traction

[Tyn Pow]

http://claytonoffroad.com/index.php?cPath=17_40

Clayton has some sweet options and there stuff is beef.

I got a Clayton LA kit on my XJ and love it....had an RE kit on before and the difference is huge, in both quality and performance.

Stan @ Northridge hooked me up and gave me a very fair price.

[jeepjones]

BDS Suspension has some good kits
http://bds-suspension.com/

Or Even Better Currie
http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/default_jeep.aspx

[Bnine]

If it doesnt have johnny joints run.

Currie
Poly performance
Genrite
Clayton

Those are you only options if you want something that is good quality and will last.

Also, all suspension and no body lift set ups are a very poor set up for building a well balanced TJ. Anything over 4" of suspension lift starts to become a disadvantage.

[lizard230]

thxs for the input

i like the full traction kits they look sweet

Bnine why would it be a disadvantage and what would be the perfect set up

3.5' long arm with a 2' body?

[Bnine]

Depends on tire size, but a 1.25" bl and plus or minus 3 inch of suspension is ideal up to a 35" tire.

There is a ton of explaining to do, but I'll try to shortlist some of the basics.

Jeep wheelbase, width, and axles are maxed out at 35 inch tires. Jeep drivelines with are maxed out at about 5 total inches of lift while maintaining the ability to run well balanced travel. In other words, droop without binding.

5 inches is generally gained through a combonation of suspension and tummy tucking. 3" suspension, 2" tucking. Going beyond that, the drivetrain travel becomes limited, and everything becomes a compromise.

A fully built jeep without a tucked tummy is an oxymoron really. Since a smooth belly is essential for good offroad performance.

A proper tuck will provide over 3" of clearence, while only raising the output 2", and moving a minimum amount of the jeeps weight upward which helps maintain a reasonable cog.

A small body lift allows for more shock travel, complete tummy tucking without cutting into the tub, and fuel tank tucking. At the end of the day, 1" of body lift is far more beneficial then 1 more inch of suspension.

3.5" and 2"bl is a good combonation for 37-40" tires but requires high clearence fenders and or cutting to maintian a good travel ratio. That said, it doesnt really matter because once you go to a 37" tire, so many things have to addressed for a jeep properly, and reliably.

Few things that are essential to running more then a 35" tire

1 ton axles or some equivelant (addresses larger balljoints, wheel bearings, axle ujoints, and tie rod ends)
Hydro steering
Increased axle width
Increased wheel base
rim size
bolt pattern
body clearence

etc etc

In short, thats why 35's are discussed, and that why plus or minus 3 inch is considered max for a reliable well balanced wrangler suspension set up.

The absolute max on stock wheelbase is 5.5 total inches of raised about. After that, you start losing suspension travel, and it all becomes a compromise.

hth

And by the way, I have cut apart full traction lifts and repaired them for people for several years now.

They look nice, but honestly, their quality is not there for the money.

[Bnine]

Hopefully that helps make things clear as mud.

You can feel free to get ahold of me if you want to sit down in person some time and go over your options and the positives and negatives involved with each set up.

[SilverTJ]

You can't go wrong having a coffee with Bill.
As a very satisfied customer of the Bnine Coffee/Jeep Suspension Shop this is the place to have work done.
I wish I had gone to Bill when I first got the Jeep, not a year later. I'm replacing RE stuff that wore out in that short period of time.

[lizard230]

thanks bill i think ill take you up on that offer.

im still on the rigs for a month or so. ill pm you when i get home

[Bnine]

No worries, I'm always around.

[AstraX]

A fully built jeep without a tucked tummy is an oxymoron really. Since a smooth belly is essential for good offroad performance.

Hi Bnine,

I have seen you comment on the tummy tuck a few times, but I think all the threads I have read have been in regards to TJ's.  Is there much in the way of this for the JK's?

[Bnine]

There is a lot of under armor for JK's, but I dont know about anything that tucks. Im sure someone is working on at least getting that huge gastank up into the frame a bit more.

[w squared]

I have heard of some folks working on the issue, but I don't know of anyone marketing one yet. Like Bnine said there is plenty of aftermarket armour that you can buy...but the stock skids are actually pretty serviceable. I've put some pretty good use onto mine and they're holding up well so far.

The only thing that's really vulnerable and call out for a skid (or a relocation) is the evap canister.