control arm length

hands87 · 09-21-2003, 01:05 PM

I have an 87 cherokee and have 5.5 springs with 1.75 spacers but I was going to fabricate my own upper and lower control arms. I was just wondering what lengths (hole to hole) they need to be. I have tried to measure and figure it out but have not but up with a corect conclusion. Any help would be appriciated.

**EricsXJ** · 09-21-2003, 01:17 PM

GottaBeJeep has posted a chart of control arm lengths a couple of times in the past week. Here is one of the threads - http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/what-size-lift-do-lca-need-changed-52195/
If you have control arm drop brackets the length will be different than whats on the chart...

GottaBeJeep · 09-21-2003, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hands87

I have an 87 cherokee and have 5.5 springs with 1.75 spacers but I was going to fabricate my own upper and lower control arms. I was just wondering what lengths (hole to hole) they need to be. I have tried to measure and figure it out but have not but up with a corect conclusion. Any help would be appriciated.

This is a chart to help get you close to where you need to be. If you use drop brackets, subtract 4" from your lift height to get the arm lengths.

Control Arm Length Application Chart
For Jeep Cherokee (XJ)

Lift...........Lower Control Arms/Upper Control Arms
********Decimal**Fraction**Decimal**Fraction
Stock........15.75.......15 ¾........15.00.......15
2”.............15.92.......16............14.88.... ...15
3”.............16.09.......16............14.92.... ...15
4”.............16.33.......16 3/8......15.03.......15
4.5”..........16.47.......16 ½........15.11.......15
5”.............16.62.......16 5/8......15.21.......15 ¼
6”.............16.97.......17............15.44.... ...15 ½
7”.............17.36.......17 3/8......15.74.......15 ¾
8”.............17.81.......17 ¾........16.09.......16
9”.............18.30.......18 ¼........16.50.......16 ½
10”...........18.82.......18 ¾........16.96.......17

**EricsXJ** · 09-21-2003, 01:20 PM

There you go...

hands87 · 09-21-2003, 08:55 PM

Are those measurements from hole to hole? Also when you mentioned drop brackets, you mean for the control arm mounts on the body right? If I don't use the brackets I can just put a bend in the arm so it clears right? Thank you for your help.

**EricsXJ** · 09-22-2003, 02:54 AM

Heres a pic from jeepin.com of the control arm drop brackets

Without the brackets, putting a bend in the arm would help the clearance of the arm at the axle end. Or you could try using an offset joint like the way the Rubicon Express arms are. But either way you cut it, without drop brackets or a true "long arm" set up, the angle of the control arms would be pretty steep. How much true lift you got... 8"?

hands87 · 09-22-2003, 02:07 PM

5.5 springs and 1.75 spacers.

hands87 · 09-22-2003, 02:13 PM

so on the pic of the drop bracket it just mounts ot the factory lower arm bracket? And then the upper arm mounts to the top of the new brackte.

GottaBeJeep · 09-22-2003, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hands87

so on the pic of the drop bracket it just mounts ot the factory lower arm bracket? And then the upper arm mounts to the top of the new brackte.

Yes, you are correct, but the bracket also bolts through the stock UCA mount as well.

09-21-2003, 08:55 PM	#5
hands87 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	arms Are those measurements from hole to hole? Also when you mentioned drop brackets, you mean for the control arm mounts on the body right? If I don't use the brackets I can just put a bend in the arm so it clears right? Thank you for your help.

09-22-2003, 02:07 PM	#7
hands87 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	5.5 springs and 1.75 spacers.

09-22-2003, 02:13 PM	#8
hands87 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 6 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	so on the pic of the drop bracket it just mounts ot the factory lower arm bracket? And then the upper arm mounts to the top of the new brackte.