We need a thread listing the big contenders for the long arms and why you would choose one over the other........ give your pros and cons and preferences.

I am currently looking at the long arm kits and will be going with either 35's or 37's.

so Please chime in and give your 2 cents....... or 20 bucks worth... the more the better

 

I think when the time comes, probably this coming spring, Im going to get the RE long arm upgrade kit.

Even if I didnt already have an RE kit, I would still buy the RE long arm kit because I like their quality,
and the design better then the others.

I like how the rear arm mounts are up along side the frame rails, not under them hanging down like other kits, which takes away ground
clearance and they could get bashed on/hung up on rocks and such.

The front arms mount up into a new trans cross member, instead of mounting to the under side of the cross member or frame like other kits.

I also like the radius arm design in general, I think it provides better drive-line and suspension geometry over the 4 link design.

There have also been a lot of happy customers with the kit saying it rides great and is a quality kit,
including Burnsville Offroad who has installed many of them and put them to the test with their Hemi swaps

 

Dont take this the wrong way but the 4 link is far superior to a radius arm.

David

 

the jk control arms are already long enough. you don't need a long arm setup.

 

Who is building the four link system?

 

What lift are you running with the stock arms?

 

here's my feedback.

I have spent the past 4-5 months researching what's available. I looked at Nth Degree, RE and Rancho.

I had heard good things about RE and Nth and nothing good or bad about Rancho except that I had this image of all these crappy trucks running rancho gear back when I was in high school some 10 years ago.

After lots of emails and days of research I chose the Rancho long arm kit and I am glad that I did.

On paper and in pictures it was one of the more unique kits on the market which was a draw for me. When I first saw the pics from SEMA last year I thought for sure it was some one off prototype kit. 10 months later I've got the thing installed.

I have to say that the Q&A session on the JK-forum proved invaluable. Thanks to Eddie for putting that together becuase it put us in contact with the guys who designed the kit.

Price wasnt much of a concern for me but it happens to be one of the more affordable kits on the market. Once you figure the RS9000 shocks (they are huge!) and the catback exhaust it really is a pretty good deal.

At 230 bux the exhaust is the least expensive one out there. Even if you arent going long arm this is a cool exhasut for the money. The sound is very mellow, its lighter than stock and it relocates the muffler under the body, similar to the cooltech but doesnt require you to cut up your stock catback.

My overall impressions have been positive. The stance is great with my 35" BFG KM2's, the ride and handling are impressive for a lifted vehicle. This thing flexes like mad which helps keep tires on the ground when the terrain gets technical. The fit and finish of the components are excellent. The links are nice and beefy and although it doesnt use heims excllusively (only on the radius arms) it flexes fine. Plus having bushings contributes to a smoother, quieter ride.

BTW, my main reason for going long arm were ride quality and wheel travel

I don't have direct experience with any of the other kits on the market so I can't give any honest opinions but I, like many, had to make my decision off of paper specs and user testimonials.

I dont have any really good pics yet, but I should after this Saturday when we head up to Bald Mtn.

 

This is a great thought but would never work.
We've already seen imput and reviews of all the traditional (short arm)suspension kits and they've all been worthless. Not to say that peoples opinions are not valuable... but....everyone typically says: "my kit rides great and was easy to install and can clear 35's or 37's if I trim". This is all true, especially because all of the lift suspensions are exactly the same . I have to laugh when some one compares one brand to the other, when they are almost identical. They have new, taller springs and some braketry(some have more than others, etc)....that's it. Some have control arms that have some type of flex end, which doens't change anything in the suspension geometry and only adds a little more flex.
This is where a long arm test and comparison makes sense due to the variety of designs and complete changes of the factory design.....however, will we get accurate information from each user? I have yet to hear someone on this forum(and most others), after spending their hard earned money on an expensive suspension, say, "I hate my lift kit and wish I never bought it.....and here are the many bad points about it."
A thorough install review is what I'd like to see out of each long arm kit. Details on the technical side of cutting, welding, drilling, etc. Then....each driver would have to put their own Jeeps, with each manufacturers long arm kit, side by side, on the same trails, same lines, same highway, etc. Then, each driver would need to switch rigs and drive eachothers for an accurate and honest opinion.
Can this ever happen here? No way.
In the mean time, we'll just listen to more people say:
"I really researched all the kits and went with Brand X because they have a great reputation and I like the design. After driving it, I can say that it rides great and has great articulation and has held up to all the brutal wheeling I do."

 

the new TF long arm kit is supposed to hit the market at the beginning of the year.

 

amen to that brutha!

the closest thing to any real comparison we will ever see is like the one that was in Peterson's Off-Road a couple months ago, where none of the lifts being compared were on the same level as each other ( 1. one was waaaaay higher priced and better equipped 2. there was a huge variation in lift heights, etc...). these types of comparisons in magazines aren't there to inform. they are used to advertise the free goodies that were used. these comparisons won't ever really choose a winner and will praise the good stuff about each and mostly ignore the bad.

how can anyone really research a kit without having driven several jeeps with truly comparable lifts on them.....especially ones that aren't even being produced yet....like the people who say, "i'm holding off on buying my lift until X-brand puts out their long-arm kit."

besides, the stock control arm length on the jk is comparable to a long-arm kit on a tj. how much longer could you possibly need?