I have tried to look around the forum for this answer but cannot seem to find one. I have been looking at different lifts, and my question is, what is the difference between long arm kit and a short arm kit? Thank you for any info!!!

 

In short, a long arm restores 'true geometry' to your axle... And the benefits that go with. Lots of info out there re google

 

That is correct, but there are easier ways to go about it. The AEV SC kits (there are others, but this is the most popular) use the stock arms with special brackets to basically give you the best of both worlds - the correct geometry using stock parts that is easy to install (long arms kits usually require cutting and welding). (In a nutshell.)

 

No dispute... Was just answering the op

 

Thanks guys, I knew the long arm kits needed to have new mounts installed but I figured it gave you more articulation that way. Did not know about the geo of the axles!! Thanks!! Cheers

 

Long arms usually require structural changes - cutting off original brackets and welding new ones - so there's no way back. On the other hand, as you have 5" lift, long arms are supposed to improve both on & off road handling.

The up/down travel of the axle/wheel will be more vertical, and along a flatter arc.

 

thank you, you, your reply answered 90% of what I needed to know...

for the bonus round for the remaining 10%...are aftermarket welded locations to attach Long Arm's as strong as the factory mounts/welds?

I'd hate to spend money, only to wind up adding a weak link in the chain!

Matthew

 

As long as you get a quality weld on there they should be just as strong if not stronger.

 

My opinion and others may disagree but on the JK's for the large majority of wheelers, long arms are a waste of money especially at the lower lift heights many folks are running these days. Long arms serve a purpose and help fix a problem created by higher lifts which are really not needed to run bigger tires which is why people lift their rig in the first place. Additionally I have been witness to some $80k jeeps hung up on rocks because of their long arm setups which were not needed. Long arms can be a good thing but they are not automatically a good thing simply by virtue of being a long arm.

In short if you are not really sure which way to go, that is a pretty good indicator short arms is the right answer.

 

I do agree jks have better stock lengths than tjs, but highly lifted 2-doors can really benefit from this. 4-doors i personally dont think its as big of a deal. G Jeep nailed it dead on. Another benefit is the arch the wheels swing as It also helps when your front tires are droopped and need to push up an object. the flatter the level of the control arms the easier it will be to push the wheel forward and up. It will also help on road driving. Neither will give you more flex on 99% of the jeeps out there.