xj longarm question

savvypower · 11-18-2009, 09:00 AM

i am curious as to why the longarm upgrade is reccomended for 4"+ lifts only. looking for more flex and downtravel also a better ride, wouldn't that work on a 3" lift? plus if i wanted to upgrade to more lift, all i would have to do is coils...and supporting mods obviously
thanks

nostaw22 · 11-18-2009, 09:37 AM

The "4+" is a subjective recommendation... A long arm isn't really required to get great flex from the front end of an XJ with up to a 4" or 4.5" lift... if the short arms (and they will need to be aftermarket adjustable short arms) are setup right the suspension will flex really well. Beyond ~4.5" the angles on the short arms get really extreme.

The main drawback to a long arm + small lift is you lose a lot of ground clearance since you generally have a fairly small tire -- the arms hang down low a lot further back than the stock control arm brackets.

So, it can be done, but for a lot less $ you get better performance sticking with a short-arm in a lift <4".

JW

**ReconMill** · 11-18-2009, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by savvypower

i am curious as to why the longarm upgrade is reccomended for 4"+ lifts only. looking for more flex and downtravel also a better ride, wouldn't that work on a 3" lift? plus if i wanted to upgrade to more lift, all i would have to do is coils...and supporting mods obviously
thanks

Im running 3.5" and long arms. The only problem you may have is the arms hitting the uniframe when the tire is stuffed. Otherwise it is probably the best mod I have done to date.

Edit: also, as far as down travel is concerned, my limiting factor is the coil coming off because it is a shorter coil spring.

savvypower · 11-18-2009, 11:01 AM

thats what i was looking for thanks guys. i like the rustys upgrade but the rough country one just came out and looks pretty tough for a lot less money. any experience with these?

**RockRodHooligan** · 11-18-2009, 11:43 AM

Might want to look at TNT/Treks long arm upgrade. It's a little more expecive than the Rustys, but way better quality, and reputation. They also advertise a 3.5" long arm kit. I just got done installing the TNT kit on my buddies TJ, and these arms are really well built. I have TNTs belly pan which is the same as the long arm pan, but without the control arm mounts, 1/4" plate and modular design. The control arms also have a lot better ground clearance from what I can see.

Treks Offroad Products - Y-Link Long Arm Upgrade for XJ

**RockRodHooligan** · 11-19-2009, 09:30 AM

Again for TNT, holiday sale: XJ Long-arm Upgrades - $779.95 ($849.95)

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/t-t-customs-holiday-sale-904893/#post8314341

nanotech9 · 11-20-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

I have TNTs belly pan which is the same as the long arm pan, but without the control arm mounts, 1/4" plate and modular design.

I was wondering about this.

I have a crappy old style terraflex long arm on my '98 and was wanting to go to a Y-link and foudn the TNT setup. I really like it, but can't really afford their entire setup, and i want to do some of my own fabbing (just for fun - i gotta get my money's worth outta the MIG and the Miller Synchrowave250 Tig lol)

If the skid plate mounts in the same place and is the same piece (this was going to be the hard part to *copy*) then could i just buy it, cut in my arm mounts and weld them up, and then build my own long arms etc?

**RockRodHooligan** · 11-20-2009, 04:20 PM

Yes, but make sure you get the internal bracing option(or fab some), it comes standard on the long arm kits to strengthen the pan for the control arm mounts.

Here is mine when I got it, it's part of their modular line up. The large piece is the belly pan itself, the smaller the transfer case skid.

To install the transfer case skid, you need to instal crush sleeves though the frame, that gets sandwiched in the frame with a small plate(unless you are running their frame stiffeners, then it's not necessary). Same with the pan if it has the internal bracing, seen in this pic:

You can also see the full modular design, and the cut outs for the control arm mounts here:

Not sure if this helps, or makes sense, but I'll try and answer any other questions if you have them.

Edit: the TNT belly pan also gives you a gain of 1" of ground clearance over stock too.

nanotech9 · 11-20-2009, 05:56 PM

that helps a ton....

one more question though... the first pic with the yellow pan is a different setup than the second yellow pic. (with the yellow rock sliders)

is the last picture as sturdy as the other design?

I should contact them and see if they sell individual parts - maybe they'll sell me the individual front lower arm brace for about the same price as the skid plate?

**RockRodHooligan** · 11-20-2009, 06:53 PM

The first pic is for their regular Y-link system, the second is their rear coil conversion. Both use the same front pan, the second has different components to include a rear cross member for the rear 4 link mounts. It's all made out of 1/4" plate. I've just got done helping my buddy instal a very similar kit on his TJ, and it was all very well built, so I have no doubt both would be just as sturdy.

The brace I was talking about is welded as part of the belly pan it keep it from flexing under the added stress of the control arms, I doubt it would be any good by itself, as the control arm still mounts to the belly pan.

**RockRodHooligan** · 11-20-2009, 07:11 PM

As for being able to buy individual pieces, I have asked about being able to buy the internal bracing for my belly pan separately, and weld it in myself, and they said I could. I've even asked about buying just the rear half of their rear coil conversion, and build my own front suspension, and they'd do that too. But then again, I'm not sure if that is a result of special benefits from my buddies build, it's been getting them some extra business from the attention his built has been getting.

nanotech9 · 11-20-2009, 08:10 PM

I had seen the system a few weeks ago on their website and was more impressed by it than any other so far. I think it speaks for itself fairly well.

I'll give them a call monday morning.

nostaw22 · 11-20-2009, 08:29 PM

FWIW -

You may want to look at Clayton Offroad too... They have a long-arm upgrade kit as well, but it is a weld-in... They replace the crossmember, but they don't have the nice integral skid plate that TNT does. They're having a sale w/ free shipping too...

I know a number of people with stuff from Clayton who are really happy w/ it.

JW

**RockRodHooligan** · 11-20-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanotech9

I had seen the system a few weeks ago on their website and was more impressed by it than any other so far. I think it speaks for itself fairly well.

I'll give them a call monday morning.

Ask to talk to Rod. He's been the guy that me and my buddy James has worked with this whole time, and he's done both of us well. Tell him I sent ya.

11-20-2009, 05:56 PM	#9
nanotech9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oklahoma City OK Posts: 44 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	that helps a ton.... one more question though... the first pic with the yellow pan is a different setup than the second yellow pic. (with the yellow rock sliders) is the last picture as sturdy as the other design? I should contact them and see if they sell individual parts - maybe they'll sell me the individual front lower arm brace for about the same price as the skid plate?

11-20-2009, 08:10 PM	#12
nanotech9 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oklahoma City OK Posts: 44 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I had seen the system a few weeks ago on their website and was more impressed by it than any other so far. I think it speaks for itself fairly well. I'll give them a call monday morning.