Longarm kits compared/contrasted
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: NM
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 292
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From: Santa Clara, CA
If I were going with a mid arm lift, I would do Metalcloak. Even if I had a 4 door I would probably strongly consider that. But I have a 2 door and from what I've read, the on road comfort will be greatly improved by a long arm kit. Since mine is a DD I am looking for the best on road ride that will perform well off road as well.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 292
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From: Santa Clara, CA
Off on a tangent. Lots of data to absorb and sort through when choosing a longarm solution. I'm almost ready to throw in in towel....
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 292
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From: Santa Clara, CA
I started a spreadsheet to organize my data and one thing immediately popped out -- there's a big difference in length between vendors. As of now rounded to the nearest inch:
Front LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Clayton the longest at 37".
Rear LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Rubicon Express the longest at 41".
Teraflex and Rock Krawler are at 34" for the front LCAs.
OEM front LCAs are 23" and rear LCAs are 20" for comparison.
For a longarm system,
What's the minimum length to be considered?
What's the minimum length for a 12" coilover system?
What's the ideal length?
Because size matters
Front LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Clayton the longest at 37".
Rear LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Rubicon Express the longest at 41".
Teraflex and Rock Krawler are at 34" for the front LCAs.
OEM front LCAs are 23" and rear LCAs are 20" for comparison.
For a longarm system,
What's the minimum length to be considered?
What's the minimum length for a 12" coilover system?
What's the ideal length?
Because size matters
Forum Tech Advisor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 11
From: Billings, MT
I started a spreadsheet to organize my data and one thing immediately popped out -- there's a big difference in length between vendors. As of now rounded to the nearest inch:
Front LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Clayton the longest at 37".
Rear LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Rubicon Express the longest at 41".
Teraflex and Rock Krawler are at 34" for the front LCAs.
OEM front LCAs are 23" and rear LCAs are 20" for comparison.
For a longarm system,
What's the minimum length to be considered?
What's the minimum length for a 12" coilover system?
What's the ideal length?
Because size matters
Front LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Clayton the longest at 37".
Rear LCAs by Synergy are the shortest at 33" and Rubicon Express the longest at 41".
Teraflex and Rock Krawler are at 34" for the front LCAs.
OEM front LCAs are 23" and rear LCAs are 20" for comparison.
For a longarm system,
What's the minimum length to be considered?
What's the minimum length for a 12" coilover system?
What's the ideal length?
Because size matters
Regarding your question, what matters is geometry, physics, ground clearance, etc.
If you really want to learn this stuff, you could start reading about the builds listed in this thread, and you could scroll down to the Four Link Corner portion of the first post and read those links as well:
Ultimate Wrangler Build Ups and Swaps thread - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum
Then, you could move over to Part 1 of the coilover bible:
Pirate4x4.Com - The largest off roading and 4x4 website in the world.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 292
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From: Santa Clara, CA
I want to learn enough to select the right longarm kit for my application, but not become a full-blown expert in longarms. I'll likely read through that stuff at some point.
Right now, I just want to understand what I need to look for in a longarm kit to get proper geometry, ride, articulation, etc. Each kit seems to have a different approach to solving the same problem and there are many factors to consider as we've learned. And it's not easy to gather all the variables because the information isn't freely available from the vendors.
Considering most of the bracketry hangs down 1-2" below the frame, we could go with basic logic and say if 22.5" OEM arms are good for 12" of travel, then any of these LCAs at 33"+ should be sufficient, but that's very simplistic reasoning.
Right now, I just want to understand what I need to look for in a longarm kit to get proper geometry, ride, articulation, etc. Each kit seems to have a different approach to solving the same problem and there are many factors to consider as we've learned. And it's not easy to gather all the variables because the information isn't freely available from the vendors.
Considering most of the bracketry hangs down 1-2" below the frame, we could go with basic logic and say if 22.5" OEM arms are good for 12" of travel, then any of these LCAs at 33"+ should be sufficient, but that's very simplistic reasoning.
Forum Tech Advisor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 11
From: Billings, MT
I want to learn enough to select the right longarm kit for my application, but not become a full-blown expert in longarms. I'll likely read through that stuff at some point. Right now, I just want to understand what I need to look for in a longarm kit to get proper geometry, ride, articulation, etc. Each kit seems to have a different approach to solving the same problem and there are many factors to consider as we've learned. And it's not easy to gather all the variables because the information isn't freely available from the vendors. Considering most of the bracketry hangs down 1-2" below the frame, we could go with basic logic and say if 22.5" OEM arms are good for 12" of travel, then any of these LCAs at 33"+ should be sufficient, but that's very simplistic reasoning.
Will you run flat flares?
How tall a lift do you think you need?
What kind of off road terrain will you do and how frequently?
At what speeds will you drive in off road terrain?
2 dr or 4 dr?
How often will you drive obstacles that are extremely steep (enough to make your low oil dash light turn on if you stay there too long)?
Will you tow with your jeep? If so, how heavy and how often?