clearly you're the kind of guy who believes whatever it is you want to believe. i was on the JK Experience and don't have to "believe" anything as i got to see first hand how all the JK's performed.

 

it's all good, i'm not trying to argue here either, i'm just sharing what i have seen and experienced for myself. as it is, i've bashed my factory lower control arm mounts plenty just where they're at and to the point where they've started to tear. in fact, i have seen these mounts get torn right off the frame and can't imagine lowering them and by default, your control arms as well and on purpose. but then, what do i know - maybe i'm not a very good driver and need to spend more time on the trail

 

Yes and no. Some companies (ORE and Clayton to name two) have invested a lot of thought and engineering into making their long arm mounting points in such a way that they don't cost you in terms of belly clearance and breakover angle.

I'm not going to criticize control arm relocation brackets, because they are far better than cam bolts...but they're primarily designed as an inexpensive way to keep your suspension geometry in check when you lift your vehicle. Adjustable control arms are the "right" way to do this...but they are also more expensive. If LCA brackets are all that your budget will allow, or if you're not concerned about ground clearance then by all means...LCA brackets are a solution that can work for you. For my money, I want every inch of clearance I can get, so I'll keep running adjustable control arms until it's time for me to purchase one of the long arm kits that's built with Johnny joints and is designed to provide a ton of smooth suspension travel without sacrificing clearance.

 

well said, i couldn't agree more.

also, i should point out that long arms are only really needed when you go tall. and, when i mean tall, i mean tall enough to clear 40" tires or bigger. at this height/tire size, things pretty much even out proportionally. and, as w squared mentioned, the ORE long arms we have with evo lever system are engineered to provide maximum clearance and all the new brackets are located above the frame rails.

drop brackets like these have their place as they are intended to provide a cheap solution to a bigger problem. and, while that's great, i don't think they are far from the best or even better solution of installing adjustable control arms. but, that's just me.

 

I have them and am very happy with them. They were cheap, easy to install, allowed me to run stock front driveshaft on 4" lift and 28" long travel shocks, and totally fixed my flighty steering.

The only drawback is a 2" reduction in clearance at the LCA mount which hasn't affected my wheeling yet.

So I am happy. When I decide to drop serious coin on adjustable arms and new driveshaft then I may swap them, but for now I am happier with the $800+ in my pocket.

To each their own...

 

im gone for a day and i come back to my small question and everyone is fighting! stop the madness!!!! haha im glad to have everyones input.. i do believe in what WOL said cause he does have like one or two trails under his belt but i am a college student so right now im ballin on a TIGGGGGHHHT budget.. thanks for the awesome forum and good information.. keep it up!

 

I have the AEV 4.5 inch premium lift with these brackets, it was the only suspension I could afford at the time to clear 37's so I could do this years JKX. eddie was there, I beat the hell outta my JK and it worked great! Drives and rides like a sports car. This is gonna sound stupid but I was following Mel and the gang up and over Monarch pass doing 15 to 25 mph over the posted speed limit in the curves trying to keep up she drives like a dream. Hugs the curves like a bastard corvette.

Those brackets do hang down a little lower but they never stopped me on any of the trails we did. Wait for the DVD to come out and you'll see how good they worked for me. Just my 2 cents.

 

never said this kit didn't work and if anything, i would be the first to say it handles great on pavement. i know you were in a pinch for time and money but in all fairness, the rancho kit is almost identical to it, built better and, costs a fraction of the price. the extrodinary price for what little you really get has always been my biggest beef with the aev kit.

LOL!! not stupid at all, that was fun and i apologize if i scared you guys by following you so close - as you know, we were told to, "keep it tight" when you can afford to get an evo long arm kit and coil overs, i think you'll find that your jeep will perform/handle even better

i hope you don't take any of this the wrong way as the last thing i want to do is offend you. standing outside and taking pics of all the jk's i could coming through the obstacles and looking at looking at the video footage after the fact, i saw things a bit differently. while these 2" lower brackets may not have "stopped" you on any of the trails, they certainly didn't helped you any either. you're a good driver and there were good spotters helping everyone up and over the rocks and, i personally think that made all the difference.

 

Do I need to get an alignment after I install these.