I got to see the difference this past weekend. There was a Grand Cherokee with radius arms, 33" MTs and a JK 'X' with the stock 4 link and Rubi tires, both had open diffs. The JK outflexed the Grand and thus was able to make it over the ledge. The Grand was constantly getting a tire in the air and thus lost traction. The X eventually pulled the Grand up the ledge. Even though they weren't identical vehicles, a case can be made.

 

I do agree with both statements but I wouldnt exacty say your comparing apples to apples. I would say there is a big difference between the cherokee and JK. I run an RE 4.5 long arm kit and if you put me up against the exact same jeep with a 4 link I really dont think you would be able to tell a difference. I have wheeled with just about every kind of jeep/ suspension and I dont think there has ever been a trail I havent been able to do because Im running a radius arm. Just mt 2cents

 

Interesting topic, I'd like to hear more on this from those running a radius arm

 

There has been a few of these debates on this forum and it allways seems to get people fired up. The die hard R.E guys swear by there radius arms and the 4 link guys swear that radius arms dont flex. The R.E is a good kit that has a better than stock hwy ride, but doesnt flex as good as a 4 link kit. I have the R.E kit I love the ride and it takes me on any trail I want to go on. But I do have plans to remove the R.E. and go with TF 4 link and ORE coilovers.

 

The older Grand Cherokee (WJ and older) does not have the BLD feature that the Jk does. A "open" Jk will always have better traction than an "open" non Quadra-drive grand IMO.

 

You should get a RTI score. Then someone with a 4 link can get a RTI score. then we can compare. But, we'd still run into issues about differences in shocks, endlinks, tires, etc. I just wanted to state that I saw a radius arm that seemed like the flex was really limited compared to that of a JK with stock suspension. In my mind, I thought the Grand would easily conquer the ledge, and the JK would have troubles, but it was vice versa.

 

hmmm, this is the first one I've caught. I have been curious about the radius arm...I know nothing of how they perform