Ok Ladies and Gents,

I've searched around and found plenty of threads of how people love their long arms, and I am about to make the leap, but I haven't been able to find much from people who had a regular lift and switched to the long arm, and how big of a difference it made.

Most of my driving is done on-road, I take the jeep out on the beaches on the weekend etc and hit some light trails once in a while but nothing major. I have a 4 inch superlift kit on my jeep right now with billstein shocks, and it rides like GARBAGE. Every bump, every crack in the road, every pothole I hit, my whole jeep feels like it's going to fall apart. The suspension also loves to drift on the highway (partly wind factor partly because its a really lose lift) and everything I read about long arms is how amazing they are for on road driving. So I have to ask

For those of you who started with a 3-4 inch low end lift, and switched to any sort of a long arm kit, did it blow you away? Did it vastly improve the day to day driveability of your jeep? I know we don't own BMW's or Range Rovers, and the shitty ride isn't going to get me to sell the jeep, but the ride is so shitty and uncomfortable (AND SQUEEKY!!!) especially after 3 years of wear and tear, that if I get some feedback here that it is really night and day, than I think I am going to have to make the leap.

Please help out and add feedback!!! as much detail as you can if possible

 

I'm in the same boat you are, however my set up still drives great. But find myself wanting a LA kit.
Which LA kit are you looking at?
I currently have a mix of Full Traction and Poly Performance, with Billstein 7100 reservoir shocks.

 

I looked at long arms but went metalcloak short arm. Glad I did. It rides fantastic and does great off road. Cheaper than a long arm too.

 

My master plan right now is the Teraflex Long Arm upgrade kit, Teraflex monstr front and rear track bars, the Fox ATS throughshaft steering stabalizer, King Resovoir Shocks, King bumpstops or teraflex speedbumps, and EVO plush springs.

 

I'm no expert but I can't see long arms making any significant change to your ride quality.

 

Everything I have read this far is that it substantially improves on road performance because it helps overcome some of the geometry changes that happen when you lift the vehicle. The bumpstops obv would help any lift, to get rid of the bottoming out factor

 

The flatter your arms the less impact gets fed up into the body,
Think of a hand dolly. First held at 45* angle over a bump. Now flatten that dolly over the same bump. The flatter the less impact is felt. Same with a long arm setup.

I'm running AEV's front drop brackets and they do the same but sacrifice clearance. Not a big deal if not on the rocks.

Shocks ... I hated the feel of the 5100's. harshest shock out of all I've tried.
Currently running the new Rancho 7000's. hell of a shock.

Honesty ,,,,, try a different shock before anything else

Ken

 

yea everyone was randing and raving about the 5100's when I got them, I think I am going to start with bumpstops and new shocks before I go all in, I have a price inquiry out with the new 4wd forum rep but uhhh...its been over a week and still no word.

Anyone else out there with suggestions or experience?

 

Like mattg said the MC Lift is a hell of a lift. I don't think you need a LA lift nor will it solve your problem. Sure it will be better than what you have.

Here is what I would do.

New shocks... Check all of you hardware. CA's nuts bolts etc. replace any thing that is worn out.

Look at some progressive springs like
MC,AEV,Synergy, currie etc.

Get some synergy ball joints as I'm sure 3 years of driving on this lift they are probably on the way out.

Look into some high steering if you don't have it already. And take a look at your roll center at both axles. There are some brackets avail to move your track bars back into a neutral position.

In the end it may be cheaper and better investment to get a new short arm lift and could save you some head aches.

pm me if you would like more info. And I hope others will chime in for you.

I think your dealing with some symptoms of a worn out and budget friendly lift.

 

Got to remember, a lot of these guys own 4 doors. Not sure if you do or not.
The 2 door is a little more picky with less wheelbase. More sensitive to lifts and shock selection.