What to Know Before Installing Long Arms (Photos)
What are the best reasons for using a long arm over a short one? Read about the pros and cons here before making your purchasing decision.
1. Increased Ground Clearance
A long arm lift on your Jeep uses long control arms that mount further back and bring the suspension angles closer to stock. This gives a better ride quality than a short arm lift. It will also give you increased ground clearance.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
2. Greater Wheel Travel
Uneven terrain like boulders or ravines is no match for you when you have such a great wheel travel to hit those obscene angles.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
3. No Need to Modify Shift Linkage
Because long arm lifts provide a less steep angle, the shift linkage should not need to be modified if the long arm kit is installed correctly. This means less work in the garage and more time playing in the rocks and dirt.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
4. Better Ride Quality
A long arm kit gives a much noticeable ride quality than a short arm kit. This is because the angle is closer to stock and make the ride a less jaw-cracking affair. This translates into better off-road speed.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
5. Much More Expensive
If you are on a tight budget, the long arm lift may be well out of you arm's reach. These kits are generally much more expensive than the short arm kit. While short arm kits can cost you several hundred dollars, the long arm kit could cost more than $2,000. Just be sure you buy the kit that is right for you. Some kits may come with shocks and speed bumps that you don't actually need.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
6. There Might be Some Necessary Modifications
If you have the desire to be higher, long arm lifts greater than 4 inches will require a modification to your driveline. Depending on how high you go, you may have to replace your drive shaft. exhaust, brake line (adding a brake line extension), axles, fenders, and you'll certainly have to purchase larger tires. For more information on what may need replacing, check out this forum thread on JK-Forum.com.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
7. Higher Center of Gravity
A long arm lift kit will greatly increase your center of gravity. Being that high, your Jeep will be more likely to tip over, and neither the gas nor the brakes will help you much when you are rubber side up.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
8. Stuck on the Rocks
Jeeps were made for the off road, and there's nothing much more fun than hopping the rocks in your Wrangler. The drawback with the long arm kits is that there is more metal which is prone to getting snagged on the big boulders.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
9. A Bit More Complicated
Long arms sit further back than short arms which means that the OEM brackets need to be cut and new ones welded on further back on the chassis. The equates to "once you go long arm, you don't go back." If you find that the long arm lift just isn't for you, well, slap the old for sale sign on her and buy another. If you aren't into crawling but into driving fast on the dirt, the long arm kit is definitely for you.
>>Join the conversation about long arms and short arms right here in JK-Forum.
For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance or repair project, please visit our how-to section in the forum.