After a lot of research I've concluded a long arm kit seems to be the way to go for its extra flex but particularly the better on-road ride.

What I cant find out is the difference between kits that use a 4-link setup and a radius arm setup. Can anyone describe the difference between the two and why the 4 link is supposed to be better?

I'm only going to 35", and I know a lot of people consider long arms unnecessary for this size tyre... but it has to be the superior set up?

 

You're going to get a lot of responses on this one once more people are awake.

Only repeating what I've been reading, so these are not my opinions. So don't take it out on me people.

From what I've been reading on Teraflex and Full Traction seem to be common choices. Teraflex is well known as having excellent customer support, and on-going product development (requires welding though). The Full Traction kit is total bolt together, no welding required which is a big perk to many do-it-yourself types. I think both are 4-links.

I've heard good things from some about Clayton (beefy arms). Heard nothing but complaints about the Rancho and Sky Jacker setups. Lots off breakage's with the Sky Jacker, and with the Rancho odd drivability and lack of rear adjustability (tri-link rear).

I think it's AiRock (could have wrong spelling) makes a airbag suspension system which I've heard love and hate about. It would require some sort of air system too.

That's about all the "big players" I've read about, but am sure there are others. Old Man Emu, or Rough Country, haven't really heard much about them on JK's, no idea if Long Arm or not.

Like I said above though, give it a few hours and people will chime in on this one.

 

...but you forgot one major player; Rubicon express.

I have the RE 4.4" longarm, and am more than pleased with it. It's radius arm, i.e. the lower arms are mounted to the frame and axle, and the upper arms are mounted to the upside of the lower arms and to the upper end of the axle.

I had FabTech longarm on my TJ, and it was 4-link. They both work well, but I'm more pleased with the RE kit, much beefier and feels more engineered.
Any which way, a longarm system brings better ride quality on-road, and better performance on the trail, in my humble opinion!

You can read more about radius arm on www.rubiconexpress.com

Happy hunting!

 

Terraflex and full traction do seem to keep getting positive comments around the forum. If there wasnt so many kits to choose between it would be a lot simpler!


Still not 100% on the difference between 4 link and radius arm. ANyone got a pic?

 

Quote from RE: "The RE7324 4.5 inch Extreme Duty Long Arm System is the first and only radius long arm suspension available for the Jeep JK. This system features our world class chromoly radius arm both in the front and in the rear. Geometry has been meticulously engineered to keep pinion and driveshaft angles in phase, while eliminating jacking and unwanted suspension squat. Engineered radius arm suspension with properly valved Rubicon shocks correctly allows the JK to transmit throttle input to the wheels and over varied terrain, providing forward progress instead of getting stopped due to unwanted compression response. "

Basically, as I explained above, radius arm uses only 4 attachment points at the frame, while 4-link uses 8 attachment points (lower + upper controlarms). I.e. a 4-link system is based on the original setup, but with longer and/or adjustable controlarms and some or all framepoints moved. Advantage/disadvantage on both system I guess is up to each and everyone.

Might be out on a limb here, but this is how I interpreted your question...

(Sorry, I have no good pics to explain it.)



You could read more here: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ghlight=4-link

And try search on the forum!